Toyama

  • Masu Sushi (Trout Sushi)

    Pressed trout sushi packed in a wooden circular container.

    Said to have originated in the Edo period as a tribute to the Kaga Domain lord, this is synonymous with Toyama's ekiben (station lunch box). Vinegared cherry trout is placed on vinegared rice, wrapped in bamboo grass, and pressed in a wooden frame for easy portability. The refreshing aroma and the fatty umami of the trout evoke a sense of travel.

  • Buri Shabu (Yellowtail Hot Pot)

    Winter cold yellowtail dipped in hot broth, hot pot style.

    Winter specialty showcasing prime-season yellowtail from Toyama Bay. Thin slices of fatty buri are briefly swished through kelp dashi, allowing you to savor the fish's natural sweetness and melting texture. Pair with ponzu sauce or sesame sauce. Finish by adding udon or rice to the umami-rich broth for a satisfying meal.

  • Hotaru Ika no Sumiso-ae (Firefly Squid with Miso Vinegar)

    Toyama Bay's spring delicacy dressed in miso vinegar.

    Small squid caught in spring waters of Toyama Bay, boiled whole and dressed in tangy sweet miso vinegar sauce. Rich internal organs provide bitterness and depth. The luminous appearance of firefly squid during spawning season is designated a Special Natural Monument, making them both a natural wonder and culinary treasure.

  • White Shrimp Tempura Bowl (Shiro-ebi Ten-don)

    Crispy bowl featuring whole glass shrimp tempura.

    "Jewel of Toyama Bay," glass shrimp are transparent and delicate, found almost exclusively in Toyama Bay. When fried whole without peeling, they become crispy kakiage fritters with concentrated umami. Served over steaming rice with sweet-salty sauce, this is Toyama's signature rice bowl.

  • Kurobe Dam Curry

    Local curry with rice shaped like a dam wall.

    Inspired by the massive Kurobe Dam construction project, this curry features rice molded into a dam shape with curry poured as "reservoir water." Green vegetables represent the mountain slopes. Created as a regional tourism dish, it's served at restaurants and rest areas throughout the Alpine Route area.