Introduction
Food is more than just a meal in Aomori Prefecture—it’s a window into the region’s culture, history, and creativity. While Aomori is famous across Japan for its apples and seafood, the local cuisine also includes quirky comfort foods and traditional dishes that might challenge even the most adventurous travelers. Whether you’re looking for something sweet, savory, or surprising, Aomori’s dining scene promises unforgettable flavors.
Here are 13 local foods that you should try when visiting Aomori.
1. Apple Delicacies – The Pride of Aomori
Aomori produces more than half of Japan’s apples, so it’s no surprise that the fruit appears in countless creative dishes. From freshly baked apple pies in Hirosaki cafés to apple curry, apple cider, and apple-flavored soft serve, you’ll find apples in both traditional and modern forms. Sampling them is almost a rite of passage for visitors.
2. Hotate (Scallops) – Sweet Treasures of Mutsu Bay
The cold waters of Mutsu Bay nurture some of Japan’s largest and sweetest scallops. You can taste them raw as sashimi, grilled on the shell at seaside markets, or even as scallop ramen. For a quirky snack, try Hotate Senbei (scallop-flavored rice crackers).
3. Ichigo-ni – The Strawberry-Looking Soup
Don’t be fooled by the name—Ichigo-ni doesn’t contain strawberries. Instead, this clear soup features sea urchin and abalone. The floating red sea urchin resembles strawberries, hence the name. Traditionally served at celebrations, this delicacy is a true test for adventurous food lovers.
4. Nokkedon – Your Personalized Seafood Bowl
At Aomori’s Furukawa Fish Market, you can create your own donburi (rice bowl). Buy a set of tickets, then wander from stall to stall picking your favorite toppings—tuna, scallops, salmon roe, crab, and more. It’s a fun, interactive way to taste the best seafood of the north.
5. Miso-Curry-Milk Ramen – A Local Twist on Noodles
Originating in Aomori City in the 1970s, this ramen combines miso, curry, and milk into one surprisingly harmonious broth. Creamy, slightly spicy, and full of umami, it has become a nostalgic comfort food for locals—and a must-try oddity for curious travelers.
6. Senbei-jiru – Soup with Crackers
From the Nanbu region of Aomori comes a hot pot made with chicken, vegetables, and Nanbu senbei (a wheat cracker). The crackers absorb the broth and transform into a chewy, dumpling-like texture. It’s hearty, warming, and unlike any soup most visitors have ever tried.
7. Kaiyaki Miso – Scallop-Shell Hot Pot
This rustic fisherman’s dish uses a giant scallop shell as the cooking vessel. Ingredients like miso, egg, and seafood are simmered right inside the shell over an open flame. The result is rich, smoky, and visually striking—perfect for food photography and for understanding Aomori’s coastal traditions.
8. Kenoshiru – A Winter Vegetable Stew
A humble but nourishing dish, Kenoshiru is made by finely chopping root vegetables, mushrooms, and wild greens, then simmering them in a miso-based broth. It’s a dish of sustainability, born from the need to use up winter leftovers. For vegetarian travelers, this is a rare local specialty without meat or fish.
9. Jappa-jiru – Fisherman’s Miso Soup
Made from the head and bones of cod, this hearty soup is a staple in fishing villages. Nothing goes to waste—the fish “scraps” are boiled with vegetables and miso to create a rich and flavorful broth. It’s a true taste of Aomori’s resourceful seafood culture.
10. Shijimi Soup – Clams from Lake Jūsan
Lake Jūsan is famous for its freshwater clams (shijimi). Locals love them in a simple miso soup, often eaten at breakfast or as a cure for hangovers. The tiny clams pack a surprising punch of flavor, and the experience feels uniquely tied to Aomori’s lakeside life.
11. Inago no Tsukudani – A True Challenge Food
Not for the faint-hearted, Inago no Tsukudani is a traditional dish of grasshoppers simmered in soy sauce and sugar until sweet and savory. Once common as a protein source in rural Japan, it’s now more of a cultural curiosity. If you’re looking for the ultimate “I ate this in Japan” story, this might be it.
12. Isoyaki Squid – Charcoal-Grilled Flavor
In coastal towns like Hachinohe, freshly caught squid is grilled over charcoal and brushed with soy sauce, creating a smoky, savory aroma that fills local markets. Simple yet unforgettable, it’s best enjoyed with a glass of cold beer.
13. Hittsumi-jiru – Hand-Pulled Noodle Soup
This comfort food from southern Aomori features pieces of wheat dough torn by hand and cooked in a vegetable-and-chicken broth. The chewy texture is similar to dumplings, making it a rustic but deeply satisfying meal.
Conclusion
Aomori’s cuisine is as diverse as its landscapes—from snow-covered mountains to bustling fishing ports. Some dishes, like apple pies and scallops, are easy to fall in love with. Others, like sea urchin soup or grasshoppers in soy sauce, may test your culinary courage. But that’s the beauty of eating in Aomori: every dish tells a story about resilience, creativity, and a deep connection to the land and sea.
So, whether you’re a cautious traveler or a fearless foodie, tasting Aomori’s specialties will leave you with unforgettable flavors—and stories worth sharing.