Find the best gourmet spots in Nemuro to enjoy the flavors of the region! 8 popular gourmet spots in Nemuro

Located at the easternmost tip of Hokkaido, Nemuro is famous as the city where the sun rises first in Japan. In the summer, the sun emerges from the horizon as early as 3:45 AM, and on New Year's Day, the first sunrise of the year can be seen at around 6:50 AM. Because of this, the Hatsuhinode Pilgrimage at Cape Nosappu, held annually on January 1st, attracts many visitors. Tourists visit Nemuro for various reasons, but one thing they all have in common is their love for gourmet food. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Nemuro offers an abundance of fresh seafood, famous local delicacies known nationwide, and unique dishes that reflect its rich history. This diverse culinary scene makes it a paradise for food lovers. In this article, we have carefully selected eight of the most popular gourmet spots in Nemuro to introduce to you!

1. Dorian

In Nemuro, one of the most iconic local dishes you’ll find in cafes and restaurants is Escalope. Among the many places that serve it, the most popular is "Shokuji to Kissa Dorian". The restaurant has a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere, with its brick-walled interior resembling an old-fashioned coffee shop. Above the fireplace, you’ll find numerous autographs of famous visitors.

The signature dish, of course, is the famous Escalope—a dish featuring pork cutlet placed over butter rice and generously covered with demi-glace sauce. The butter rice contains finely chopped bamboo shoots, adding a satisfying texture to the dish. The rich and flavorful demi-glace sauce makes it an irresistible treat.

Another must-try is the Oriental Rice, a popular B-grade gourmet dish. This features dry curry topped with sautéed beef skirt steak—a perfect choice for meat lovers. The steak sauce drizzled over it enhances the flavor, making it even more appetizing.

At Dorian, you can enjoy Nemuro’s two most famous local gourmet dishes in one place. If you visit Nemuro, this is a spot you definitely shouldn’t miss!

2. Sushimoto

About a 10-minute walk from Nemuro Station, you’ll find Wa Dining Sushimoto, a restaurant known for serving Nemuro Sanma Roll Sushi. The restaurant has five counter seats, five raised-floor seats, and a tatami room on the second floor, offering a comfortable dining experience for different occasions. With its warm, traditional Japanese interior, it’s also a great place for families with children.

The Nemuro Sanma Roll Sushi is one of Nemuro’s most famous local gourmet dishes. This sushi roll is wrapped in Nemuro-harvested kombu (seaweed) and features fresh Pacific saury (sanma) caught in Nemuro and sushi rice made from Hokkaido's "Nanatsuboshi" rice. It's a true taste of Hokkaido’s natural bounty.

The kombu used to wrap the sushi, called "Saomae Kombu", is a premium variety known for its soft texture, making it easy to eat. It’s also referred to as "vegetable kombu", and its concentrated umami enhances the flavor of the sushi. When paired with Habamai Kombu Soy Sauce, this dish becomes absolutely irresistible!

Other menu items include Korean-style sushi rolls (Korean Roll), Sanma Yukke (saury tartare), grilled Hanasaki crab with miso, and crab pasta, offering a mix of international flavors. If you call the restaurant a day in advance, you can also enjoy Hanasaki Crab, one of Nemuro’s specialty seafoods—so be sure to make a reservation!

3. Shinonome

When it comes to soba noodles in Nemuro, one of the most popular places is "Soba-dokoro Shinonome". Located in downtown Nemuro, near Nemuro Station, it’s a favorite among locals. Due to its proximity to office buildings and government offices, the restaurant gets very crowded during lunchtime. It also has a parking space, making it a convenient stop during sightseeing trips.

The most popular dish here is the Soba and Katsudon Set. This affordable combo meal lets you enjoy both soba and katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl), making it popular among salarymen and families alike.

During winter, the Nabeyaki Udon is a highly recommended dish. Served with mochi, shrimp tempura, egg, and other rich ingredients, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal. Additionally, customers ordering rice bowls receive a complimentary cup of coffee as a service. Loved by both locals and tourists, Shinonome is a must-visit for anyone looking for authentic soba in Nemuro.

4. New Mont Blanc

New Mont Blanc is the successor of Mont Blanc, the restaurant credited with originating Nemuro’s famous Escalope dish. With a history of over 50 years, it remains one of the most famous gourmet spots in Nemuro. The restaurant has around 60 seats, but due to its popularity, it often gets fully booked during peak hours.

The Escalope here is served on a retro-style silver plate, giving it a nostalgic feel. The combination of fragrant butter rice, juicy pork cutlet, and rich demi-glace sauce creates a perfectly balanced dish. The crispy, freshly fried pork cutlet adds an extra layer of deliciousness.

While Dorian offers Oriental Rice, New Mont Blanc serves a specialty called Bidog Rice. This dish features chicken rice topped with three mini hamburg steaks made from a blend of beef, pork, and chicken—a luxurious meal that brings together the best flavors of different meats.

Other delicious dishes include Oriental Rice, White Rice, and Katsu Curry. With so many tempting options, you might find yourself wanting to try everything! For this reason, it's best to arrive with an empty stomach when visiting New Mont Blanc.

5. Ougiya

Just a 2-minute walk from Nemuro Station, you’ll find Ougiya, a restaurant specializing in Tsukemen (dipping noodles) and Abura Soba (soupless oil noodles). When it first opened in 2005, it also served Chuka Soba (Chinese-style ramen), but in recent years, it has been rebranded as a specialty shop offering only Tsukemen and Abura Soba. The restaurant was even featured in the 2017 Michelin Guide, proving its popularity and excellence.

The signature dish, Tsukemen, is a fan favorite, ordered by almost every customer. The thick and rich tonkotsu (pork bone) and seafood broth perfectly complements the firm, medium-thick noodles. With every bite, your appetite will only grow stronger. Adding a drop of spicy seasoning gives the broth a sharper taste, allowing you to enjoy a different flavor variation. This is definitely a must-try dish in Nemuro!

6. Roman

Many people visit Roman for its huge Pork Chop (Pork Chap), making it one of the most famous gourmet spots in the area. The restaurant is actually located in Bekkai Town, a neighboring town of Nemuro. Its nostalgic Western-style restaurant exterior and the large sign with “Roman” written in blue create a retro atmosphere reminiscent of Japan’s Showa era.

The Pork Chap was originally a hidden menu item, created by the restaurant's owner as a special dish to make loyal customers happy. However, it became so popular that it was eventually added as a permanent menu item and later became the restaurant’s signature dish.
The dish's most shocking feature is its size—an enormous 700g (1.5 lb) of pork!

First-time customers are often overwhelmed by its sheer volume. But despite its intimidating appearance, many brave food lovers continue to take on the challenge! Aside from its impressive size, the Pork Chap is also known for its exceptional taste. Roman takes pride in using fresh pork loin, which enhances the natural umami and tenderness of the meat.

The thick cut makes a crisp, satisfying sound when you slice into it with a knife, but don’t worry—it’s incredibly tender and easy to chew. For those who may find the 700g portion too large, there is also a "mini" 400g version available. If you’re a big eater or up for a challenge, don’t miss the chance to try Roman’s legendary Pork Chap!

7. Rose

At Shokuji to Kissa Bara, you can try a unique version of Escalope, called Ebi Esca, where the traditional pork cutlet is replaced with a crispy fried prawn. This cozy café, reminiscent of a Showa-era Japanese coffee shop, plays jazz music, creating a slightly romantic and nostalgic ambiance. With manga and magazines available, you can relax while waiting for your meal.

Their Escalope features a thick and juicy pork cutlet served over buttery rice, providing a satisfying and flavorful meal. Meanwhile, the Ebi Esca offers a different experience, with plump and succulent fried shrimp, making it a great choice for those who prefer seafood or want something lighter. It’s particularly popular among women and children.

If you can’t decide between pork cutlet and fried shrimp, the Mix Esca is the perfect option, allowing you to enjoy both at the same time. Imagine savoring both dishes while listening to smooth jazz—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

8. Nemuro Hanamaru

When you think of Hokkaido, you think of fresh seafood. Since Nemuro is surrounded by the sea on three sides, it is home to some of the best seafood in Japan. If you want to enjoy top-quality seafood at a reasonable price, visiting a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (kaiten-zushi) is a great option.

One of the most famous places is Kaiten Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru, a well-known sushi chain with its main branch in Nemuro. While there are two locations in central Tokyo, the Nemuro flagship store offers a wide selection of local seafood that you won’t find in other parts of Japan.

If you’re visiting Nemuro, why not try as many of these unique sushi toppings as possible?

One must-try specialty is Tokishirazu (out-of-season salmon), available from May to July. Unlike regular salmon, which is at its peak in autumn, Tokishirazu is exceptionally fatty (over three times fattier than normal salmon) and has a rich, sweet flavor. Since it is only available in spring and summer, timing your visit to Nemuro accordingly will let you experience this rare delicacy.

Another local specialty is Hanasaki Crab, which is best enjoyed as Gunkan-maki (sushi wrapped in seaweed) or in Tappojiru (miso soup with crab). The rich umami of the crab-infused miso soup makes it a heartwarming dish, and each bowl comes with a large piece of crab inside.

Be sure to also try the Sanma (Pacific saury) and Toro Nishin (fatty herring) nigiri, two other regional favorites.

Summary

Nemuro is a gourmet paradise, offering not just its signature Escalope, but also a variety of dishes featuring local specialties like Hanasaki Crab, Sanma (Pacific saury), and Tokishirazu (seasonal salmon). While this article introduced only eight restaurants, there are many more places serving Escalope and fresh seafood throughout the city. As you explore Nemuro, don’t hesitate to venture into different restaurants—you might just find your new favorite spot!

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Find the best gourmet spots in Nemuro to enjoy the flavors of the region! 8 popular gourmet spots in Nemuro