(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)
On a trip to Oita City, I worked up an appetite while out enjoying the “Fantasy of Lights” winter illuminations and Christmas tree near Oita Station. I headed into Bungo Sakaba, which was recommended by the manager at my hotel, for a sampling of the local fish and fare.
Bungo Sakaba is an izakaya-style restaurant inside the Amu Plaza Oita shopping complex inside Oita Station. The menu has many Oita specialty dishes, sushi, sashimi and other delicious local fish dishes.
I ordered Bungo Ichioshi Mori, a sushi set using locally caught fish for 1,000 yen (about $7.50), along with ryukyu for 100 yen. Ryukyu is Oita’s soul food and consists of horse mackerel or yellow tail sashimi that is well-marinated in a soy sauce-based broth with sesame and ginger.
Since this is an izakaya-style eatery, checking out their premium sake and alcohol list would be a shame. I chose a glass locally brewed sake Nishinoseki for 540 yen.
The sake paired well with the flavorful horse mackerel ryukyu soaked in mirin and ginger.
The sushi set was extensive and included a sampling of all the Oita fish that was in season at the time. In the set were hand-shaped sushi with both fatty and lean tuna, squid, octopus, conger, shrimp, mackerel, sea bream, gizzard shad and egg, and more. I was pleased with my choices and couldn’t help but have another refill of the premium Nishinoseki sake to finish off the meal.
In case you are not a fan of raw fish, the restaurant also serves various yakitori (grilled chicken on a skewer) and kushikatsu (deep-fried cutlets on a skewer) available for around 100 to 200 yen.
Bungo Sakaba is a great spot to try some of the amazing food Oita has to offer. The prices are excellent for the high quality and central location, so make sure to stop in for a delicious meal during your stay.
Bungo Sakaba
Location: 1-1 Kanamemachi, Oita City, Oita Prefecture (a three-hour drive from Sasebo Naval Base)
Hours: 11 a.m. – midnight
Tel: 097-513-1180
