With over 300 years of history, Omicho Market, affectionately known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen”, has been the heart of the city’s culinary scene for centuries. Loved by locals, tourists, and even the chefs of Kanazawa’s renowned restaurants and ryotei, this vibrant market offers the freshest seafood, seasonal produce, and regional specialties, making it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
Located in the heart of Kanazawa, just a 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Station, Omicho Market is a lively food hub and essential destination for anyone visiting the city. With around 170 stores offering fresh seafood, seasonal fruits and vegetables, local drinks, and unique souvenirs, this bustling market provides an authentic and immersive food experience. It’s the perfect place to indulge your senses while exploring the flavors of Kanazawa.
Visiting Omicho Market is also a wonderful way to connect with Kanazawa’s local culture and daily life. Take the opportunity to chat with friendly shopkeepers and learn about the ingredients behind the delicious meals you’ll enjoy.
I’m Selda, a local guide here in Kanazawa. In this edition of eye on Kanazawa, we’ll explore the impressive variety of food that the market has to offer. From freshly sliced sashimi to sweet and savory Japanese street foods, there’s no shortage of culinary delights waiting to be discovered. Join me as we uncover the treasures of Kanazawa’s vibrant Omicho Market!
Craft Beer [
❶ Hyakuman Shoten]
Is there any better way to end your food adventure than by pairing your market finds with a refreshing cup of craft beer from this local Kanazawa brewery? These beers are crafted with regional ingredients and offer unique flavors ranging from light and crisp to rich and hoppy. A cold brew is the absolute perfect complement to your Omicho Market experience. I recommend trying the beer-tasting flight to enjoy a wide variety of flavors.
Orange Juice [❷ Sakano]
Freshly squeezed from locally grown oranges, the orange juice at this local fruit shop is delicious, refreshing, and packed with natural sweetness. Don’t forget about the presentation as well! You’ll definitely be pleased when drinking the juice straight from the fruit itself. It’s not only enjoyable, but also Instagrammable.
The Omicho Market is compact, very authentic, and local, especially compared to the one we visited in Osaka, which was quite touristy.
Omicho Korokke
[
❸ Diamond L II]
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, korokke (croquettes) are a popular street food in Japan. At this popular shop, you’ll find these golden bites filled with local ingredients, such as Noto beef and pork, sweet shrimp, or Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch). Don’t miss the curry-pan from the same vendor, a delicious snack filled with aromatic Kanazawa-style curry.
Strawberries in a Cup [❷ Sakano]
Omicho Market is famous for its seasonal fruits. The strawberries served in a cup are a particular standout. Sweet, juicy, and perfectly ripe, these berries are a refreshing snack for everyone. Depending on the season, the shop also sells and beautifully displays local fruits from Ishikawa and nearby prefectures like the Shine Muscat from Nagano and pears from Toyama.
Unagi [
❹ Kawaki Shoten]
Grilled to perfection and glazed with a savory-sweet tare sauce, unagi (eel) is a staple delicacy at Omicho Market. It is known for its rich flavor and tender texture. This dish is a must-try for seafood lovers. Served fresh and often sizzling hot on a skewer, you can enjoy it as a standalone treat.
Unagi [
❹ Kawaki Shoten]
Grilled to perfection and glazed with a savory-sweet tare sauce, unagi (eel) is a staple delicacy at Omicho Market. It is known for its rich flavor and tender texture. This dish is a must-try for seafood lovers. Served fresh and often sizzling hot on a skewer, you can enjoy it as a standalone treat.
Let's Savor the Allure of Raw Seafood!
Oysters [
❻ Shimada Suisan]
Known for their plump, briny flavor, the local oysters or kaki at this shop are often served freshly shucked. Their creamy texture and fresh taste make them a popular choice for seafood enthusiasts. I recommend enjoying them with a dash of lemon and soy sauce to further enhance their already delicious flavors.
Sashimi (Chu-toro) [❺ Kiyoshi Shoten]
Chu-toro or the medium fatty cut of tuna, is a star in Omicho Market’s sashimi selections. Renowned for its rich, buttery texture and delicate marbling, this luxurious cut strikes the perfect balance between lean and fatty tuna. It is often served with soy sauce and wasabi. This shop offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience that all sashimi lovers adore.
Sea Urchin [⓫ Tadamura Suisan]
Sea urchin (or uni) is a delicacy of many shops at Omicho Market. It is prized for its creamy texture and sweet flavor, and is often referred to as the “butter of the ocean.” Uni is best enjoyed with their spherical shells (or tests) used as the plates themselves. This dish will truly help you feel the true meaning of living in a seaside town.
The Omicho Market is compact, very authentic, and local, especially compared to the one we visited in Osaka, which was quite touristy.
Hamayaki[❿ Ippuku Yokocho]
Hamayaki, meaning “grilled seafood,” features shellfish, such as clams, scallops, and oysters, cooked to perfection over an open flame. This shop, which can be found towards the back of the market, offers a cooking method that enhances the seafood’s natural sweetness and infuses the dish with a smoky aroma. Hamayaki is always served fresh and sizzling, with each bite bursting with juicy, ocean-inspired flavor, making it an unmissable treat at Omicho Market.
Wagyu Sushi [❼ Niku-sushi Gyujiro]
This shop offers a truly luxurious treat. Wagyu sushi combines the melt-in-your-mouth richness of the local A5 Noto beef and vinegared rice. One piece is glazed with local soy sauce and topped with grated ginger, while the other piece incorporates bamboo charcoal salt and wasabi. This sushi duo is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that you can’t miss.
Wagyu Kushi Yaki [
❽ NIKUO]
Japanese beef grilled on skewers, known as wagyu kushi yaki, is the ultimate delicacy. This shop offers tender beef that’s perfectly cooked on an iron plate or teppan, enhancing its natural umami flavor. The chef also carefully seasons each piece of beef without overpowering its natural flavors. Each bite is smoky, juicy, and bursting with richness. I recommend enjoying it with some wasabi.
Kaisendon [❾ Oguchi Suisan]
With over six decades of history in the fishing industry, this trustworthy shop offers a seafood lover’s dream. Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) is a colorful medley of sashimi served on top of local vinegared rice. With carefully selected cuts of fresh and local fish, this meal celebrates the treasures of the nearby Sea of Japan.
We have great seafood in Australia, but the variety and quantity here are amazing!
Selda’s Tips on How to Enjoy the Market
As a guide, I would love to share some tips and hints on how you can fully enjoy your Omicho Market experience while respecting the local community.
Selda’s Tips on How to Enjoy the Market
As a guide, I would love to share some tips and hints on how you can fully enjoy your Omicho Market experience while respecting the local community.
Eating While Walking is a No-No
Japan is known for its tradition of not eating while walking, and Omicho Market is no exception. Don’t worry though, the market offers rest areas with tables and chairs.
How to Take Your Instagram Photos
As much as I love taking photos for my Instagram, I always make sure to ask shopkeepers for permission before doing so.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
I find the variety of fish and local produce very intriguing, but I always refrain from picking them up before asking the shopkeepers for permission.
Avoid Crowded Times
I try to avoid going to the market on weekends or public holidays when it gets very busy. If you want to minimize your wait for delicious foods, I suggest visiting in the morning.
What to Do When Queuing
To taste the dishes I recommended in this article, you might have to wait in a queue. When doing so, please make sure not to block the entrance of nearby shops.
No Smoking Please
Smoking is not permitted in the market. If you smoke, please do so in the designated smoking areas nearby.
Dear Bicycle Riders
Bringing a bicycle into the market can be frowned upon and dangerous, as the market’s corridors are usually crowded. Please park your bicycle at the designated parking areas.
