
When you visit Wakayama, don’t just go sightseeing but to be sure to go on a food expedition as well. Picture authentic local cuisine like: wakayama ramen, mehari zushi, and fresh whitebait rice bowls, with each one more unforgettable than the next! Below is Trip.com’s Top 10 must eat foods in Wakayama, featuring popular restaurants and street food to help you build your ultimate Wakayama foodie bucket list all in one place!
Top 10 Must-try in Wakayama
Wakayama must-try #1: Ide Shoten

Source: Trip Advisor Official
Ide Shoten is a legendary and honored restaurant in making Wakayama ramen. Founded over 60 years ago, it even earned the title of “Japan’s No. 1 Ramen.” Its signature broth, built on Yuasa soy sauce, is deeply savory and rich without ever feeling heavy. Paired with springy, firm noodles and classic toppings like chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and scallions, it perfectly captures the most authentic flavor of Wakayama ramen.
Address: 4 Chome−84, Tanakamachi, Wakayama, Japan 〒640-8329
Opening hours: 11:30 AM-9:30 PM
Wakayama must-try #2: MEHARIYA Main Store

Source: The Kansai Guide
The restaurant’s signature dish is Mehari-zushi, a classic from the Kishu region: distinct, fluffy grains of rice wrapped in pickled mustard leaves for a clean, simple flavor that’s surprisingly satisfying. Everything is made to order daily, so you can enjoy it at its freshest. Beyond Mehari-zushi, the menu also features deep-fried skewers, oden, and other perfect local delights to satisfy taste buds all in one go.
103 Ota Building, 2 Chome-14-9 Oda, Wakayama 640-8323, Japan
Opening hours: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 5:00–9:30 PM
Wakayama must-try #3: KADOYA Diner

Source: Trip Advisor, author: YacchanAmarone
KADOYA Shokudo sits right next to Yuasa Station in Wakayama, making it an easy walk from the station. The star of the menu is its signature shirasu (whitebait) rice bowl, made with baby fish caught fresh daily. You can enjoy them raw or cooked, just the way you like. The bowl is drizzled with a sauce made from Yuasa soy sauce and topped with nori, scallions, and other garnishes. Light, fresh, and wonderfully appetizing, it’s one of Wakayama’s absolute must-try bites!
Address: 1109-1 Yuasa, Arida District, Wakayama 643-0004, Japan
Opening hours: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, 5:00–8:00 PM
Wakayama must-try #4: Enza (formerly Kue-tei)

Source: autoreserve.com 円座(原九繪亭)
"Enza" is a seafood restaurant in Shirahama, Wakayama, best known for its signature "Kue Nabe" hot pot made with kue, a deep-sea longtooth grouper. Its tender, rich flesh carries a subtle sweetness, earning it the nickname "the dream fish" delicacy. There are plenty of ways to enjoy kue here: savor it as delicate sashimi or simmered in a comforting hot pot; and if raw fish isn’t your style, you can always go for the grilled version instead.
Address: Japan 〒649-2211 Wakayama, Nishimuro District, Shirahama, 1821 キーテラスホテルシーモア 1F
Opening hours: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30–9:30 PM
Wakayama must-try #5: Chinese Restaurant KUKU

Source: Trip Advisor Official
Beyond Ide Shoten, Chinese Restaurant KUKU is another crowd favorite where local taxi drivers in Wakayama City often steer travelers here for a seriously tasty bowl of ramen! Alongside its authentic, traditional Wakayama-style ramen, KUKU also serves Chinese classics like gyoza and stir-fried noodles.
Address: 2 Chome-13 Motoderamachi, Wakayama, 640-8024 Japan
Opening hours: Weekdays 5:00 PM-10:00 PM; Weekends and holidays 11:30 AM-2:00 PM & 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Wakayama must-try #6: Wakaya Tsuya

Source: Wakaya Tsuya Google Maps Review
Wakaya Tsuya is a popular local spot in Wakayama for Japanese set meals, with budget friendly prices and a selection of super fresh fish dishes. Set right by the bay, you can enjoy your meal while soaking up beautiful sea views!
Address: 2 Chome-6-2 Wakaurahigashi, Wakayama, 641-0021, Japan
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Wakayama must-try #7: Yasuke Sushi

Source: tabelog.com, やっぱりモツが好き's photo
Founded in the 15th year of the Meiji era, Yasuke Sushi is a century-old sushi restaurant celebrated for its signature narezushi—a fermented specialty made by combining rice with salt-cured fish. Wakayama-style narezushi uses traditional mackerel and seasons it only with salt, delivering a uniquely memorable texture and flavor that perfectly preserves the mackerel’s natural sweetness!
Address: 4 Chome-31 Honmachi, Wakayama, 640-8033, Japan
Hours: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM (closed on Wednesdays)
Wakayama must-try #8: Gu-an Flagship

Source: Gu'an Honten Official (google maps)
“Guan Honten” sits near Nankai Electric Railway’s Wakayama Station, and it’s an easy walk—super convenient! Their most popular pick is the Anglerfish Hot Pot Set, which features not only anglerfish sashimi but also shabu-shabu, tempura, and soba, so you can sample a whole array of anglerfish dishes in one go.
Address: 22 Juichibancho, Wakayama 640-8159, Japan
Opening hours: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 5:00–10:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
Wakayama must-try #9: KARUBI Iccho (Wakayama Branch)

Source: Karubi Itcho official page
"KARUBI Itcho" is a Wagyu yakiniku restaurant in Wakayama that uses the region's famous "Kumano Beef" and "Kishu Wagyuka Beef." The Wagyu is incredibly tender and practically melts in your mouth. If you find Wagyu can be a bit rich, the shop also offers freshly squeezed Wakayama mandarin orange juice. Its sweet and tangy, refreshing flavor is perfect for cutting through the richness, making it an ideal pairing with the grilled meat!
Address: 4 Chome-21 Tomodacho, Wakayama, 640-8342, Japan
Hours: Weekdays 5:00 PM–1:00 AM; weekends and holidays 11:00 AM–1:00 AM (closed on Wednesdays)
Wakayama must-try #10: Kannon Mountain Fruit Parfait Café

Source: Kannon Mountain Fruit Google Reviews
Wakayama is famous for its abundance of fruit, and Kannon-yama Fruit Orchard has been operating since the Meiji era—boasting over a century of history. In addition to the orchard, there’s a fruit parfait café next door that selects the freshest seasonal fruit to create delicious treats like fruit parfaits and fruit sandwiches. There’s also a limited-quantity afternoon tea set available each day, a favorite among many travelers!
Address: 3186-126 Kokawa, Kinokawa, Wakayama 649-6531, Japan
Hours: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wakayama Food Guide | Book High-Speed Rail Tickets in Japan
Where to Stay in Wakayama
Wakayama Hotel
5 star
Business travel
Family friendly
Hot spring
Gym
Swimming pool
Breakfast
Wakayama Foodie Guide | Day Trip Recommendations
Wakayama Food FAQs
What are some must-try foods in Wakayama?
Must-try foods in Wakayama include Wakayama ramen, Mebari sushi, tuna donburi, a lot of seafood dishes.What makes Wakayama ramen so special?
Wakayama ramen uses pork bone and soy sauce as its broth, but it uses a local light soy sauce, resulting in a rich, savory flavor that isn't overly salty—a very unique taste.What are some popular souvenirs from Wakayama?
Popular souvenirs from Wakayama include Yusa soy sauce, Kishu Nanko plums, Kinzanji miso, and thin-skinned steamed buns.

227526 booked






