[Aomori Prefecture] Great Places for Delicious Oden, 3 Picks by Area

Photograph:asukakusa

Located along National Route 103 on the way from Aomori City to Towadako (Lake Towada) and Hakkodasan (Mount Hakkoda), Chouiki no Chaya is a rest stop known for its specialty miso shoga oden (oden with miso and ginger).

The oden is sold at the restaurant, but you can also eat it inside the spacious dining area with table seating.

Photograph:surface0418

Miso shoga oden (oden with ginger miso sauce) is one of the local dishes of Aomori Prefecture. It is said to be eaten by pouring a miso sauce with a nice kick of ginger over regular dashi-based oden.

They offer multiple ingredients such as konnyaku (yam cake), egg, and daikon radish. You can also order each ingredient A la carte, but they also have value set menus.

Photograph:あり三十貫

The "curry bread" with a crispy outside and packed with curry inside is also available only on certain days. It uses a special curry made by slowly simmering beef and vegetables.

There is a pot of tea inside the shop, and customers can serve themselves for free.

Photograph:macleod

Yonehei serves Japanese dishes that pair well with alcohol, such as oden (Japanese stew) and tonkatsu (pork cutlet). It stands quietly in a residential area near National Route 103 in Chuo, Aomori City.

The interior has a homey feel, and it is equipped with counter seats, table seating, and zashiki (tatami seating).

Photograph:mpd-mpd

The oden comes with a wide variety of ingredients, including daikon radish, eggs, potatoes, and beef tendon skewers. They also offer seasonal items.

You can order A la carte, but you can also order the “Omakase assortment,” where you can choose your favorite ingredients and the number of pieces. The dashi broth is said to be refined and goes perfectly with Japanese sake.

Photograph:E-cha

The other dishes also have a reputation for being very good. The photo shows another specialty, "Iwate-san Kurobuta roast pork tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet)." They reportedly cut and prepare it from a whole block after the order comes in, which makes it very tender.

Another draw is that they always stock more than 30 kinds of Japanese sake from all over Japan.

Photograph:slr7

Ishi-i is a standing oden (Japanese hot pot with assorted ingredients) shop. The inside is said to have a homey feel, with only U-shaped counter seating in a small, cozy space.

It is about a 10-minute walk from JR Hon-Hachinohe Station, inside Hachinohe Yataimura Miroku Yokocho, an alley with a retro feel.

Photograph:slr7

The oden is simmered slowly in traditional Nambu tekki (cast ironware) made in Iwate Prefecture, and it is made without additives. The dashi broth has just the right richness and is said to be delicious.

They offer a wide range of options, from classics like "daikon radish" soaked with dashi broth and "tamago (egg)" with a rich, runny yolk, to more unusual items.

Photograph:slr7

They offer a wide range of creative small plates that go well with alcohol. The drink lineup is also extensive, and it is said to be highly satisfying.

The photo shows “Dashi-wari,” Japanese sake with dashi broth. It is said to be warmly comforting and delicious.