Introducing the top 10 unmissable local gourmet dishes from the Kochi region.
Introducing the top 10 unmissable local gourmet dishes from the Kochi region.
When visiting the Kochi region, be sure to enjoy the authentic local gourmet dishes at their best.
Table of Contents
Utsubo no Karaage
Tenaga-ebi
Nabeyaki Ramen
Katsuo no Tataki
Tsugani (Japanese mitten crab)
Kirazu Mochi
Kobuzushi
Kokera Sushi
Sawachi Ryori
Shimizu Saba
Utsubo no Karaage
A new Tosa favorite with a delicate, mild flavor
Kochi is known for bonito, but moray eel is another of the prefecture’s signature ingredients. Its mild, clean flavor can be enjoyed in many dishes, including sashimi, tataki, karaage, and sukiyaki...
Tenaga-ebi
Fragrant and delightfully springy.
A gift from Kochi’s clear rivers, kawāebi are caught in the Shimanto, Niyodo and other rivers from spring through summer. The males’ claws are so long that they can exceed the length of the body, g...
Nabeyaki Ramen
A beloved ramen in Susaki for generations
This simple, Japanese-style ramen has a light chicken-based soy sauce broth, chewy thin noodles, and toppings of green onion, chikuwa fish cake, and a raw egg. Its defining feature is the earthenwa...
Katsuo no Tataki
A beloved soul food of Kochi
Kochi is renowned for its bonito. Enjoy the fragrant, lightly charred skin and the fresh, firm red flesh. Kochi’s signature dish, katsuo no tataki, is a must-try in its home region.
Tsugani (Japanese mitten crab)
A rich taste of the river and a beloved autumn specialty of Kochi
Tsugani, or Japanese mitten crab, thrives in the clear waters of Kochi’s Shimanto and Niyodo rivers. A prized local ingredient and a relative of the Shanghai hairy crab, it has its own distinctive ...
Kirazu Mochi
A mildly sweet treat with a nostalgic charm
Kirazu Mochi (きらずもち, Kirazu mochi) is a traditional Japanese confection made from okara, a byproduct of tofu production. Across Japan, okara has been widely consumed and is known by various na...
Kobuzushi
Beloved by everyone, young and old!
Kobuzushi（こぶずし) is a unique type of sushi from Kochi Prefecture that has two different variations depending on the region. In the central area of the prefecture, people enjoy "Itakobuzushi," w...
Kokera Sushi
An essential dish for celebrations and sacred rituals
Kokera Sushi (こけら寿司, Kokera zushi) is a cherished part of Kochi Prefecture's rich sushi culture, reflecting the region's deep culinary traditions. Sushi in Kochi comes in many forms, from the ...
Sawachi Ryori
A generous platter of drinking snacks, essential at Tosa gatherings
Sawachi ryori is a hearty local specialty featuring sashimi, seared bonito (katsuo no tataki), sushi, and other dishes arranged on a large platter. It is served at gatherings in Kochi, including ba...
Shimizu Saba
Winter-caught Shimizu Saba, richly fatty like toro
Shimizu Saba is spotted mackerel landed in Tosashimizu. The fishing grounds off Cape Ashizuri have fast currents and abundant food, producing firm-fleshed mackerel caught throughout the year. The f...
