Complete Kanazawa Street Food Guide 2026: 8 Must-Try Local Delicacies & Best Districts for Food Lovers
What kind of impression do you have of the city of Kanazawa? For me, it remains in my memory as a beautiful place where many traditional cultures have been preserved to this day.
During the Edo period, Kanazawa was famous as one of Japan's leading cultural cities. Even now, as a remnant of that era, there are numerous spots where you can experience historical sites and traditional culture.
And the abundant delicious food, starting with seafood caught in the blessed geographical location facing the Sea of Japan, will surely satisfy both your heart and stomach!
Table of Contents
-5 Local Street Foods in Kanazawa That Can Be Easily Eaten
-Three Districts in Kanazawa Where Various Local Street Foods Gather
-3 Foods & Shops You Can Enjoy on the Famous Historical Street in Kanazawa
Kanazawa Has Many Excellent Street Foods That Can Be Easily Enjoyed While Sightseeing
Kanazawa is a city of traditional culture, a place that combines both historic foods and casual street food. It's wonderful to eat meals that make you feel the tradition, and it's also very nice to tour tourist spots with street food in hand. There are so many wonderful foods that you might find it difficult to decide!
Therefore, here I'll pick and introduce five recommended local foods. Which one would you choose?
5 Local Street Foods in Kanazawa That Can Be Easily Eaten
Sea Food
The first thing I'd like to introduce is the seafood sold at the market. Since Kanazawa is one of the best fishing conditions in Japan, many marine products inhabit the area, and the variety is very rich.
In spring, sea bream and Webbed Octopus line up at the market, and in summer, horse mackerel and bigfin reef squid appear as seasonal seafood.
"Shun" (seasonal) is a term used for vegetables and seafood, referring to the time when that ingredient is most delicious.
No matter which season of spring, summer, fall, or winter you visit Kanazawa's market, you will be amazed by the variety and taste. Even if you visit Kanazawa again, you will surely enjoy it.
Seafood bowl
Among seafood, I especially recommend Kaisendon (seafood bowl). This is a recommended meal that I want you to eat at least once when you go to Kanazawa!
First, I want you to pay attention to its visual appearance. The sashimi, shellfish, and fish roe that are densely and beautifully arranged on top of the rice are a must-see. It's also perfect for taking photos! Even for me, who travels all over the country eating various seafood, Kanazawa's seafood bowl is one of my top favorites.
The natural saltiness that spreads in your mouth along with the smooth texture of the sashimi that has been tightened in the Sea of Japan will surely captivate you!
Sushi
Another Japanese dish using seafood that I definitely want you to taste is sushi, a representative of Japanese cuisine. The experience of tasting extremely fresh seafood caught near Kanazawa in the calm atmosphere of the restaurant is ideal for experiencing the unique atmosphere of Japanese food.
It's also attractive that you can taste different fish depending on the season, and the variety is abundant. In Kanazawa too, many famous restaurants line the streets. Please enjoy the exquisite taste that combines fresh fish with beautiful form and the traditional techniques that have long protected Kanazawa's flavor.
Seasonal Fish (Blackthroat Seaperch, Snow Crab etc.)
Also, if you're going to taste seafood, seasonal fish is also recommended. Tasting fish that are in season when you visit is also a pleasure for experienced travelers.
I recommend nodoguro (Blackthroat seaperch) and snow crab, which is a brand crab of Ishikawa Prefecture! Nodoguro reaches its peak season from September to November when adult fish eat a lot of food.
Also, from November to February, the flesh tightens, and that is also said to be delicious. The fact that you can enjoy different textures in each season is also a characteristic of nodoguro!
Also, snow crab is said to be in season from November to March. Seafood whose deliciousness increases during limited seasons is a gem that can only be tasted in Ishikawa Prefecture. It's also appreciated as a souvenir!
Kanazawa Curry
Source:Tabelog
The second thing I'd like to introduce is curry. Some of you may be surprised, "Huh? Curry?" but in Japan, "Kanazawa Curry" is famous! If you want to enjoy Kanazawa to the fullest, I definitely want you to enjoy curry too.
Turban Curry, the signature dish of Turban Curry Honten, a famous curry restaurant in Kanazawa, is a gem I definitely want you to try. The dark-colored, thick curry roux and the large cutlet placed on top of the roux are characteristics unique to Kanazawa curry. It's rich, moderately spicy, and very satisfying to eat!
I recommend this to those of you who want to "definitely enjoy gourmet food other than seafood."
<Information>
Address: 1F Unashin Building, 1-1-48 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-15:00, 17:30-20:00 / Weekends 11:00-20:00
Closed: None
Phone number: 076-265-6617
Homepage: http://www.turbancurry.com
Oden
There are still many more specialty foods I can introduce.
"Oden," which has long been loved as a common people's taste in Japan, is also recommended as the third taste of Kanazawa.
Oden is a dish where various ingredients are put into dashi broth (something famous as a Japanese seasoning based on bonito flakes) and simmered. From its ease of preparation, depth, and gentle taste, it has become established as one of Japan's traditional food cultures.
Tasting warm oden with important people on a cold day is also a valuable experience of touching Japanese common people's culture.
Daikon radish, eggs, rice cakes, beef, etc.—the contents are also varied. It's very enjoyable to eat while choosing, "This one next!" "This one now!" If you chat around the oden, surely both your body and heart will warm up!
Since Kanazawa has preserved the taste of oden that has been loved by common people for a long time, I definitely want you to experience it!
Jibuni
Source:Official website
Furthermore, as the fourth Kanazawa meal, "Jibuni" can be mentioned.
Jibuni is a Kanazawa dish that combines dashi broth (broth containing the extracted umami from heated bonito flakes and kelp) with sugar, sake, and other ingredients. It's a beautiful dish with duck meat as the main ingredient and seasonal vegetables.
Japanese Cuisine Kagaya is a traditional restaurant that has continued to protect Kanazawa's taste for over 100 years. Jibuni with seasonal ingredients in a thick soup is colorful, beautiful, and first-class in taste. Why not taste such a rich time of slowly enjoying warm jibuni while letting it flow down your throat?
<Information>
Address: 1-1 Kinoshinsho-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, inside Kanazawa Hyakuban-gai Anto
Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 16:00-21:00
Closed: None
Phone number: 076-263-2221
Official website: https://www.kagaya.co.jp/shoku/shop/kanazawa.php
Gold Leaf Soft-serve
Let me also introduce you to a luxurious sweet that you absolutely cannot taste anywhere else. It's the Kinpaku no Kagayaki Soft Cream (Gold-leaf Soft Serve) that can be eaten at Hakuichi.
First, you'll be surprised by its luxurious appearance! Beautiful gold leaf is generously and luxuriously spread all over the soft-serve ice cream! And you can also see the process of attaching the gold leaf. The technique of attaching that gold leaf to the soft-serve ice cream is Kanazawa's traditional art, so look closely.
Of course, the taste is also very high quality. Don't forget to take photos before eating!
<Information>
Address: 2-1-1 Morito, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: January 1st
Phone number: 076-240-8911
Official website: https://kanazawa.hakuichi.co.jp
Experience Exquisite Food by Having a Guide Show You Around Shops Loved by Locals!
My recommendation is to have a guide show you around the local area. This plan, which is approximately a 3.5-hour tour, features an English-speaking guide who will introduce you to restaurants where you can fully enjoy recommended seasonal dishes and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). You can leave everything to the guide! Please come empty-handed on the day.
What I particularly recommend about this experience is that the guide not only takes you to eat, but also guides you through the Katamachi area. When I participated, the local guide showed us places lined with traditional houses where samurai lived, introducing the history of Kanazawa in an entertaining way!
This is the perfect plan for you if you want to enjoy friendly conversation while experiencing Kanazawa's history!
<Information>
Meeting Place: In front of Korinbo Ramoda Bld.
Tour Area: Ishikawa, Japan
Start Time: 17:00
Three Districts in Kanazawa Where Various Local Street Foods Gather
Omicho Market
Located just 5 minutes by bus from Kanazawa Station is Omicho Market. This is a traditional market with over 300 years of history, and it is still loved as the "citizens' kitchen" where fresh seafood gathers.
Furthermore, with the addition of restaurants, grocery stores, and butcher shops, it has become an attractive spot that is also popular with tourists! My recommendation is the crab cream croquettes sold at "Omicho Korokke," which represents the market's one hand food.
These croquettes, which luxuriously use fresh crab, are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the deliciousness of local crab spreads throughout your mouth! When exploring Kanazawa Street Food 2026, this is an essential stop to experience authentic local flavors.
If you want to experience the culinary appeal of Kanazawa all at once, please visit Omicho Market!
<Information>
Address: 50 Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: None
Phone Number: 076-231-1462
Official Website: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com
Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station, the gateway to Kanazawa, is also an attractive tourist spot!
The shopping mall "Kanazawa Hyakuban" directly connected to the station is a large-scale shopping building composed of three sections: "Anto," which gathers souvenirs and gourmet items; "Rinto," where you can enjoy fashion, miscellaneous goods, and cafes; and "Anto West," which has supermarkets and restaurants lined up!
My recommendation here is "Kingin Kohaku." These sweets, whose name means gold, silver, and amber, come in chestnut and red bean paste flavors. The crunchy texture of the sugar is enjoyable, and the natural sweetness of the sugar gently spreads in your mouth.
If you want to do some shopping before leaving Kanazawa City or on your way back after finishing your Kanazawa trip, please stop by! Also, the "Tsuzumi Gate" and "Kanazawa Station Motenashi Dome," selected as one of the world's 14 most beautiful stations, are must-sees. The beautiful structure illuminated at night is a must-see.
<Information>
Address: 1-1 Kinosinbo-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (Outside JR Kanazawa Station ticket gate)
Business Hours: Shopping 8:30-20:00, Dining 11:00-22:00
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: 076-260-3700
Official Website: https://www.100bangai.co.jp
Historical Chaya Streets
Kanazawa has three traditional tea house districts that have continued since ancient times: Higashi Chaya District, Nishi Chaya District, and Kazue Machi Chaya District.
Each has its own unique charm, and just walking through them allows you to experience the extraordinary feeling of having traveled back in time to old Japan. Not only are these traditional streetscapes wonderful, but the culture rooted there is also all things that have been passed down through the ages.
Here, let me introduce three particularly recommended foods among the tea house districts that represent the essence of Kanazawa Street Food 2026.
<Higashi Chaya District>
Address: 1-7-7 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: 076-251-6777
Website: https://chayagai.goldleaf-sakuda.jp
<Nishi Chaya District>
Address: 2-chome Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: 076-220-2194
Website: https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/spot/detail_6027.html
<Kazue Machi Chaya District>
Address: Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: 076-220-2194
Website: https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/spot/detail_4949.html
3 Foods & Shops You Can Enjoy on the Famous Historical Street in Kanazawa
Exploring Kanazawa Street Food 2026 offers visitors an authentic taste of traditional Japanese cuisine and sweets.
As you walk through the historical streets of Kanazawa, you'll discover remarkable food experiences that blend centuries-old traditions with exceptional flavors.
Kintuba Nakataya Higashi Chaya Street Store
Source:Official website
As a famous shop located in Higashi Chaya Street, there is a store called Kintuba Nakataya. Kintuba is a Japanese confection made by solidifying sweet red bean paste into a square shape using agar, which is then carefully baked on a copper plate.
This shop proudly boasts a history of making kintuba continuously for 91 years since its establishment.
I absolutely love the kintuba from this Nakataya shop. When you put it in your mouth, the gentle texture of the azuki beans and the elegant sweetness of the red bean paste will satisfy you completely.
The historical Nakataya's kintuba is perfect for you if you wish to enjoy Japanese sweets in Kanazawa.
<Information>
Address: 1-5-9 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Regular Holiday: January 1st
Phone Number: 076-254-1200
Official Website: https://www.kintuba.co.jp
Waguri Shiratsuyu
Source:Tabelog
At Waguri Shiratsuyu, located in the back area past Higashi Chaya Street, you can enjoy luxurious sweets made with Noto marron (chestnuts). The first floor features a fully open kitchen where you can thoroughly enjoy watching the process of making sweets.
The second floor is an eat-in space where you can enjoy various chestnut sweets.
What I especially recommend is the Mont Blanc made abundantly with chestnuts. Amazingly, they squeeze the chestnut cream right in front of you at your seat! The chestnut cream has a smooth texture and rich flavor, with a wonderful chestnut aroma that lets you immerse yourself in the feeling of eating Japanese sweets.
This is the best shop for you if you want to experience sweets that are enjoyable to watch and delightful to eat.
<Information>
Address: 3-1-16 Kannonmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 11:00-17:00
Regular Holiday: January 1st
Official Website: https://www.wagurishiratsuyu.com
Kaikaro
Source:Tabelog
Kaikaro is a shop you cannot miss if you're going to Higashi Chaya Street. It's a shop where you can fully enjoy matcha sweets, with a rich variety ranging from simple menu items to gorgeous parfaits.
My recommendation is the carefully selected Matcha parfait.
It's an elegant sweet made with the shop's carefully selected matcha, along with agar and strawberries. With just one bite, the aroma of matcha and subtle sweetness spread throughout your mouth, giving me the sensation of an exquisite experience unique to Japanese sweets!
Among Kanazawa's famous shops, please make sure to visit for the especially popular matcha sweets.
<Information>
Address: 1-14-8 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 10:00-17:00
Regular Holiday: Wednesday
Phone Number: 076-253-0591
Official Website: https://www.kaikaro.jp
If You Come to Kanazawa, a City Where Japanese Tradition and History Live and Breathe, Enjoy Exploring the Streets Too
If you want to discover the city of Kanazawa, a guided small-group tour is recommended. It's approximately a 5-hour tour with an English-speaking tour guide who will introduce you to recommended lunch spots, sweet shops, and wonderful photo spots in Kanazawa.
When I went, in addition to Kanazawa Castle Park, they took us leisurely around Omicho Market as well, and I was able to experience the market's lively atmosphere while enjoying pleasant conversation - it was a truly wonderful experience!
A tour where you walk through the beautiful streets of Kanazawa, touch its history, and engage in pleasant conversation will be an experience you cannot have anywhere else.
<Information>
Meeting Place: Omicho Market
Tour Area: Ishikawa, Japan
Start Time: 10:00
