fiogf49gjkf0d Sendai's
speciality foods
include
gyo-tan
(broiled, smoked or salted calf's tongue) or oysters from Matsushima Bay in winter (Dec-March).
Sasa-kamaboko
, a leaf-shaped cake of rather rubbery white-fish paste, is a popular local snack, which you can sample in Abe Kamaboko-ten, a famous outlet on the Chuo-dori shopping mall. Chuo-dori and the connecting Ichiban-cho arcades are good places to look for
restaurants and cafes
, while S-Pal, at the south end of Sendai Station, and the top two floors of the SS30 Building, also have a decent selection.
Kokubun-cho
, just west of the Ichiban-cho shopping mall, is Sendai's main entertainment district.
Asian Foods Market
, 2-5-1 Kokubun-cho. Cheerful, noisy
izakaya
serving a mix of Korean, Chinese and local foods at good prices. Expect to pay around ?2000 for an evening meal, and note that after 5pm there's a drink-all-you-want deal (?1000 for 100min). Open till 4am Mon-Sat, midnight on Sun.
Cascade
, 4-6-1 Chuo. If you're looking for a break from Japanese food, try the eatery located inside the
Sendai Kokusai Hotel
. Western-style breakfasts start at ?1000, while lunches and dinners are ?1500-2000. Daily 7am-11pm.
Dayu
, 2F, 4-2-13 Ichiban-cho. A casual restaurant on the Ichiban-cho arcade specializing in garlic cuisine and a variety of Indonesian, Thai and Italian foods. Prices are reasonable, though there's an annoying table charge. English menu. Daily 11.30am-2pm & 5.30-11.30pm.
Heiroku-zushi
, Chuo-dori & Ichiban-cho. Two spick-and-span sushi outlets on the shopping arcades, with a takeaway service or conveyor-belt counter. Prices start at ?120 for two pieces. Daily 11am-2pm.
Kaki Toku
, 2F, 4-9-1 Ichiban-cho. Elegant oyster and seafood restaurant with a choice of tables or
tatami
seating. Set menus cost from ?6000, though there are plenty of cheaper options, including rice and tempura dishes from ?1000. Mon-Fri 11am-2pm & 5-9pm, Sat, Sun & hols noon-9pm.
Kazu
, B1, 2-11-11 Chuo. Small, friendly
okonomiyaki
joint that's worth seeking out in the backstreets north of Chuo-dori. They cook the pancake for you, from a choice of ingredients and regional styles. English spoken. Tues-Sun 11.30am-9pm.
Saboten
, 28F, SS30 Building, 4-6 Chuo. This well-rated, cafe-style
tonkatsu
restaurant at the top of Sendai's tallest building is surprisingly good value, with individual dishes from ?1000 and various set meals.
Saboten
also has a branch in the S-Pal building, but you don't get the views. Daily 11.30am-10pm.
Santake
, 4-9-24 Ichiban-cho. Casual soba shop opposite Mitsukoshi department store on the Ichiban-cho arcade. Individual dishes from ?570, or ?1300 plus for a set meal. Tues-Sun 11am-8pm.
Tasuke
, 2-11-11, Kokubun-cho. One of Sendai's best-known
gyo-tan
restaurants, where you can eat tongue in all its forms. If it's full, try the cheaper outlets in the alleys opposite. Tues-Sun 11.30am-10pm.
Zeami
, 1-6-15 Kokubun-cho. Another large, lively
izakaya
serving hearty portions of "assorted foods", from Californian nuggets to
yakisoba
. Count on ?2000 per head for a decent meal. Mon-Sat 5pm-3/5am, Sun & hols till midnight.
Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections):
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