Muroran lunch is decided here! 10 recommended gourmet spots

Muroran City in Hokkaido is a thriving industrial city known for its steel industry. In addition to boasting one of the most beautiful factory nightscapes in Japan, it is also famous for its many sightseeing spots, such as "Cape Chikyuu," where visitors can enjoy a grand panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. One thing you can't miss when visiting Muroran is its exquisite gourmet food! The city is packed with delicious local specialties, including "Curry Ramen" and "Muroran Yakitori," both considered soul food by the locals. This time, we have carefully selected and introduced the best lunch spots you should definitely visit when in Muroran.

1. Aji no Daio

When it comes to Muroran’s local gourmet food, "Curry Ramen" is a must-try. Almost every ramen shop in Muroran offers this dish. The curry soup is made using dashi stock from kombu, dried sardines, and shiitake mushrooms, with each restaurant creating its own unique flavor.

Among them, "Aji no Daio" is known as the original creator of Curry Ramen and is popular not only among Muroran locals but also with tourists. The rich and thick curry soup pairs perfectly with the springy, curly noodles, which are prepared to absorb the soup’s depth of flavor, creating a perfect harmony between the soup and the noodles. This is a rare delicacy you won’t find elsewhere.

The toppings include slightly thick-cut chashu, wakame, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. The soup has a mild spiciness characteristic of curry ramen, but the flavor remains complex and never monotonous, which is to be expected from the original curry ramen shop with over 40 years of history. Besides curry ramen, they also offer soy sauce ramen, butter ramen, and more, ensuring a satisfying meal for all.

2. Hamakatsu

Following Curry Ramen, another famous Muroran local specialty is "Muroran Yakitori." Unlike regular yakitori, which is made with chicken, Muroran Yakitori is made with pork and Hokkaido's signature onions. At "Hamakatsu," you can enjoy this dish for lunch.

Their signature sauce is so meticulously crafted that you can only experience its unique flavor at Hamakatsu. The pork is both tender and firm, while the onions placed between the meat enhance its deliciousness. While they offer various types of yakitori, their garlic-seasoned gizzard skewers are also highly rated. For lunch, the yakitori rice bowl is especially recommended.

3. Tenkatsu

If you're craving tempura for lunch in Muroran, head to "Tenkatsu." As soon as you step into the shop, the aroma of sesame oil fills the air, instantly stimulating your appetite. Their specialty, the "Tendon" (tempura rice bowl), which was once served to the Emperor of Japan, features freshly fried shrimp and scallops, covered in their secret sauce—a true gourmet delight. With a history of over 90 years, this place is highly recommended by locals. You simply cannot leave Muroran without trying it.

4. Nonchalant

If you're in the mood for a hearty Western-style meal for lunch in Muroran, "Nonchalant" is a great choice. They offer a wide variety of dishes, including steak, pork cutlets, hamburger steaks, gratin, and fried foods. Every dish is made with authentic flavors that satisfy the hungry people of Muroran.

The most popular menu item is the "Pork Chop." This dish features a thick-cut pork steak served with green beans, carrots, and rice. Despite being covered in a rich demi-glace-style sauce, it has a surprisingly light and easy-to-eat taste, making it popular even among women. This is definitely a must-try.

5. Kirakuya

When dining alone, some restaurants can feel a bit intimidating depending on the cuisine. However, "Kirakuya" is the perfect place to ease such worries. Opened with the concept of "a yakitori restaurant where even women can comfortably dine alone," Kirakuya has a stylish yet traditional Japanese ambiance.

Their recommended dish is, of course, "Muroran Yakitori." The pork is grilled to perfection, with the charred bits blending beautifully with the rich sauce, enhancing the overall taste. Aside from pork, they also offer a variety of skewers, including tsukune (chicken meatballs) and crispy chicken skin.
Having a satisfying yakitori lunch alone sounds like a great idea.

6. Ajishin

Ajishin is a place where you can find all of Muroran’s famous local dishes in one spot. Surprisingly, their curry ramen even includes Muroran yakitori as a topping! This is truly a two-in-one treat—how could you resist?

The rich, flavorful curry soup combined with juicy yakitori creates a golden collaboration. Being able to enjoy two of Muroran’s signature gourmet dishes at once makes for an incredibly luxurious lunch, don't you think? It’s the perfect place for those who are busy sightseeing or on a business trip but still want to fully enjoy Muroran’s local specialties.

7. Sonobe Sakuratei

Kurosai (Black Rockfish) is another signature gourmet dish of Muroran. Rockfish is a type of scorpionfish, and its beautiful white flesh and delicate taste have earned it the nickname "Tai of the North" (Tai refers to sea bream, a highly prized fish in Japan). Among them, the Kurosai is considered a luxury fish, and the Pacific waters off Muroran provide an ideal fishing ground for it.

You can enjoy Kurosai dishes at "Sonobe Sakura-tei." Their sashimi, with its translucent and refined appearance, is a rare delicacy even within Muroran. They also offer a variety of dishes, including chawanmushi (savory steamed egg custard), shrimp in chili sauce, and fresh seafood options like abalone and sea urchin, as well as sashimi and meat dishes using high-quality ingredients.

For lunch, the sashimi set meal, tempura rice bowl, and seafood fry set meal are highly recommended. If you’re craving a hearty meat dish, the ginger pork set meal is also popular. The restaurant has a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal place to enjoy a peaceful lunch.

8. Ristorante Karina

Ristorante Karina is a must-visit spot for authentic Italian cuisine. With the concept of "real Italian cuisine made by Italians," the owner, who trained in Italy, imports many ingredients, including wine, directly from Italy to create dishes with unparalleled dedication.

One of the recommended lunch dishes is the "Sea Urchin Risotto." This dish features luxurious Hokkaido sea urchin, blending its rich, umami-packed flavor perfectly with rice. For those looking for an even more indulgent lunch, they also offer a course menu where you can choose between fish or meat as the main dish.

Thanks to its high-quality ingredients and the chef’s exceptional skills, this restaurant attracts not only locals but also visitors from outside the city. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine in Muroran, "Ristorante Karina" is a name you should remember.

9. Rantan-tei

Rantan-tei is one of Muroran’s most famous curry ramen shops. During lunchtime, a long queue forms almost instantly, so it's best to aim for the opening hours if you want to secure a seat. Unlike other curry ramen, Rantan-tei’s version features a lighter, easy-to-drink broth.

Another highlight of Rantan-tei is its generous portion sizes. In addition to curry ramen, they offer a variety of other ramen flavors such as miso, salt, chashu, and vegetable ankake (starchy sauce). They also have set meals that include options like ginger pork and gyoza, giving customers plenty of choices. If you're looking for a hearty meal to recharge your energy, this is the place to go.

10. Kogane

Kogane is a long-established soba restaurant in Muroran, serving customers for over 50 years. The secret to its longstanding popularity lies in its diverse menu and the outstanding flavors of its katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl) and tempura set meals. Their signature dish is the katsudon. What makes it unique is that the cutlet is served on a separate plate and heated before being placed on the rice, allowing you to enjoy it just the way you like. Watching the sizzling, fragrant cutlet being prepared will undoubtedly make you even hungrier.

◎ Summary

Most restaurants in Muroran serve local specialties like curry ramen and Muroran yakitori. Thanks to the abundance of fresh ingredients available in Muroran, both seafood and mountain delicacies are exceptionally delicious. Enjoy a great lunch and create wonderful memories in Muroran!

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Muroran lunch is decided here! 10 recommended gourmet spots