Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture is known as a “City of Music,” but it has also long been a “City of Gourmet” with a rich culinary culture. Surrounded by the sea, mountains, and lakes, it is a land blessed with abundant ingredients. The flavors cherished by locals for generations embody the character and history unique to Hamamatsu.
This time, we introduce five must-try local gourmet specialties for visitors to Hamamatsu. More than just a list of famous dishes, we delve into Hamamatsu’s food culture by sharing the stories and interesting facts behind them.
① When it comes to Hamamatsu specialties, this is it! “Hamamatsu Gyoza”
Hamamatsu gyoza is now famous all over Japan. Its origins trace back to the early Showa period, when people returning from China after the war started food stalls in their hometown. Its distinctive feature is the unique presentation: gyoza arranged in a circle with bean sprouts on the side. The bean sprouts are said to be a clever addition, “cooling the gyoza with residual heat and making them refreshing to eat.”
Hamamatsu gyoza fillings are vegetable-rich and healthy. The mainstream style is light and savory, highlighting the sweetness of cabbage and onions. Since they aren’t greasy, you can eat as many as you like. Each household has its own distinct flavor, and some Hamamatsu residents insist “my family’s recipe is the real deal.” It’s truly a soul food deeply rooted in the local community.
By the way, Hamamatsu City competes annually with Utsunomiya City for the title of “Japan’s top gyoza consumer,” with the outcome making news headlines. When you visit Hamamatsu, be sure to savor this proud local dish right where it originated.
② Kabayaki, nurtured by the nature of Lake Hamana
Another symbol of Hamamatsu is “Unagi.” Lake Hamana has been known as a producer of wild eel since the Edo period, and with the establishment of aquaculture techniques during the Meiji era, it grew into a nationally renowned brand. Lake Hamana’s warm climate and high-quality groundwater nurture eels with rich, tender flesh.
Hamamatsu eel is typically prepared in the Kansai-style “jiyaki” method. Grilled directly over charcoal without steaming, the skin becomes crisp and fragrant while the flesh stays plump and tender. The sauce is not overly sweet, allowing the savory aroma of soy sauce to shine through. The scent rising from the charcoal grill is like the very essence of Hamamatsu’s air.
The reason Hamamatsu is called the “City of Unagi” goes beyond being a renowned production area. Locally, it appears on tables for celebrations and prayers for success, inspired by the auspicious phrase “unagi no bori” (climbing like an eel). Hamamatsu eel embodies the pride and culture of the region.
③ The new local favorite: “Hamamatsu Burger”
Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu-Hamanako Tourism Bureau
In recent years, the “Hamamatsu Burger” has been gaining attention as a new symbol of Hamamatsu. Developed through collaboration between local butchers and restaurants, this regional burger represents the fusion of Hamamatsu’s rich livestock culture and the creativity of its youth, making it a “next-generation specialty.”
Its signature feature is the patty made from local brand meats like “Hamanako Sodachi” and “Mikkabi Beef.” Coarsely ground to maximize the meat’s natural flavor, it’s grilled and generously topped with local vegetables like lettuce, tomato, and onion. While substantial, it avoids being heavy—that’s the Hamamatsu style.
Locally, Hamamatsu is often called “a city of Western cuisine culture.” Alongside the growth of the automotive industry, Western dishes spread, and the “DNA of Western cuisine”—like hamburgers and cutlets—took root here. This background also led to the birth of the Hamamatsu Burger.
With its Instagram-worthy appearance and the story of local ingredients, it truly symbolizes Hamamatsu’s current culinary scene.
④ Mikage Mikan Sweets, Grown Under the Sun of Hamamatsu
Mikkabi Town, stretching across western Hamamatsu City, is one of Japan’s premier mandarin orange producing regions. Its warm climate and the reflected light from Lake Hamana impart sweetness to the fruit, nurturing “fully ripened mandarins” that are rich yet refreshingly crisp on the palate.
Sweets made with these Mikkabi mandarins are now hugely popular in Hamamatsu. Local pastry chefs are creating new variations like gelato, pudding, and butter sandwiches. Among these, items that let you enjoy the full mandarin aroma—such as sorbets made by freezing the juice directly and jams using the peel—are increasing.
Mikkabi mandarin oranges are rich in vitamin C, making them excellent for preventing colds. Furthermore, they’re gaining attention as a fruit that’s “delicious and good for you,” with the component beta-cryptoxanthin found in the peel being noted for its benefits to bone health.
In addition to tasting them, you can also experience the unique scenery of mandarin orange groves in Hamamatsu, as mandarin orange picking is available depending on the season.
⑤ The Nostalgic Flavor of “Enshū-yaki”
Last but not least is “Enshū-yaki,” a beloved dish long enjoyed around Hamamatsu. While it resembles okonomiyaki in appearance, it’s a simple dish featuring a thinly cooked batter mixed with red pickled ginger, green seaweed flakes, egg, and tempura bits.
Born during the post-war food shortages to fill stomachs with minimal ingredients, it spread locally as an easy snack found at candy shops and street stalls. The sweet- spicy taste of the fragrant sauce and the tangy red pickled ginger bring back a nostalgic feeling.
The charm of Enshū-yaki lies not in flashiness, but in the warmth that has long been part of local life. In contrast to the glitz of tourist spots, its down-to-earth, comforting flavor reflects the human warmth of Hamamatsu.
Hamamatsu is a city where you experience its flavors.
Hamamatsu’s food culture values “high-quality ingredients” and “human warmth” over flashiness. Behind local specialties like Hamamatsu gyoza and eel lies the unique character and passion of the region. The city’s true charm lies in the constant emergence of new flavors, such as sweets made with Mikkabi mandarins and the Hamamatsu Burger.
Embark on a journey to discover Hamamatsu through its food, not just as a tourist. With every bite, you’ll surely sense the pride and kindness of this city.
