(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)
Tucked away in Kanazawa, a beautiful, large castle city where history and elegance meet, Omicho Market has been at the center of the town’s food culture for over 300 years. The vast market spans over 170 food stalls where locals and tourists can savor the fresh, local produce and catches from the Sea of Japan.
As you stroll the impressive market, make sure to save room for a meal at Ichinokura, a casual izakaya known for its unbelievable seafood rice bowls and high-end sake selection.
During my visit, I went with the popular Kaisendon, or seafood bowl, for 1,800 yen ($12) that includes a side of miso soup.
The generous bowl of vinegar rice was topped with sashimi slices of raw octopus, salmon, sea bream, yellowtail, fresh shrimp, broiled conger eel and shredded crab meat. It was a real ocean party, almost too delectable to dig into. But I did, and it was even more delicious than it looked.
I was impressed with the fresh, extremely chewy texture of each piece of sashimi and the burst of flavors when paired with the tangy rice and kick of wasabi. The kaisendon bowl was the perfect sampling of the exceptional, fresh fish brought to the market daily.
Dining at Ichinokura added a nice, new food experience to my tour in the Hokuriku region. So, add it to your list, too, and get ready to have a real taste of Kanazawa when you visit!
Ichinokura
Location: Omichoichibakan 2F, 88 Aokusamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tel: 076-224-3371
Note: The restaurant has private rooms and can accommodate large parties.
