If you’re a foodie traveling to Japan, the historic city of Sendai is definitely worth a visit. This city is known for its delicious eats and local specialties, and this article will be highlighting seven Sendai food picks you need to try.
Where & What to Eat in Sendai
Gyutan
Gyutan is a representative Sendai dish that you simply cannot miss. It is made of beef tongue, which is usually served hot off the charcoal grill with rice, soup, and grated yam. There are plenty of gyutan restaurants in Sendai, and you can find a “Gyutan Street” right in Sendai Station. This dish is definitely a must-try for any meat lover.
Hosoya Sandwich
Hosoya Sandwich is a burger joint that has been a local favorite since 1950. The burgers are simple, with just a patty sandwiched between yummy buns. They’re also ridiculously cheap, with hamburgers priced at ¥350 and a jumbo burger with cheese at ¥700. If you’re on a budget but still want to eat delicious food, Hosoya Sandwich is the perfect spot.
Zunda Mochi
Mochi lovers, rejoice! Zunda mochi is made of mashed edamame beans and has a thick, sticky consistency similar to azuki paste. In Sendai, this is generously coated on top of mochi rice cakes, resulting in an undeniably superb dessert.
Zunda Shake
Zunda shake is a drink made of zunda, which is a paste made of mashed edamame beans. This drink is pretty addictive, so consider yourself warned. It’s just sweet enough to tickle your taste buds and feels light on the tongue and the tummy, so you’ll feel like drinking lots of this during your stay in Sendai.
Tempura at Kikakuan
Kikakuan is a soba shop located outside central Sendai, but people still come here to eat. The dish you’re looking at is called Japan’s No. 1 tempura on their menu, and it’s pretty good. The restaurant has been featured in several Japanese food shows, and you can see autographs hung on their walls.
Taiyaki at Taikichi
Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake that is popular all over Japan. Taikichi is the Sendai favorite, and you’ll find long queues outside their shop. They even have a zunda flavor, which is soft, fluffy, and creamy. They also have savory options, so have a go at their many flavors.
Matcha Cake from Qu’il Fait Bon
Finally, to end on a sweet note, let’s take a look at this yummy matcha cake from Qu’il Fait Bon. This shop’s main branch is actually in Ginza, Tokyo, but they also have a cafe in Sendai. They have a wide variety of fruit tarts and cakes, so if you have a hankering for sweets while in Sendai, definitely check the cafe out.
