Saturday, December 22, 2012

にしかわ (Nishikawa in Shizuoka)

にしかわ

IMG_0027.jpg

Shizuoka city is just over an hour from Tokyo on the next bullet train. Don't go packing your bags just yet, there isn't a lot going on out here . . . or is there?

IMG_0002.jpg

The first thing you should do when travelling to a new place is find out what the local food scene is all about.  Turns out Shizuoka is known for oden, skewers of fishcake and other goodies simmered in a distinctly Japanese broth. Just head down to one of the city's many oden streets, find an old-lady-run shop, and enjoy. Shizuoka has their own brand of the stuff, with a darker dashi than other cities.

IMG_0008.jpg

If oden isn't your thing, check out this gelato shop. Nothing but local green tea ice cream. Seven levels of matcha!

IMG_0019.jpg

Anyways, the ramen. The local issue of Shizuoka Ramen Walker (yes, every prefecture has one of these magazines) awarded only one shop in the city limits with a spot in the top 20. Shizuoka prefecture, like most non-Tokyo prefectures, might require a bit of a drive to find the best noodles.

IMG_0027.jpg

Nishikawa delivers. All the parts of a good bowl are here, from the golden soup to the chewy noodles, to decent chashu on top. Open late to boot.

IMG_0029.jpg

So pack your bags!  Shizuoka city is actually quite a gourmet destination. In one night, I was able to gorge myself on oden, sample some local gelato, drink at two of the many craft-beer bars, and top it off with some ramen. Check out the excellent English site Shizuoka Gourmet for a ton of info.

IMG_0030.jpg


View Larger Map

静岡県静岡市葵区両替町2丁目5-3
Shizuoka-ken, Shizuoka-shi, Aoi-ku, Ryogaecho 2-5-3
Closest station: Shizuoka

Open 11:30-13:00, 18:00-1:00am (3am on Saturdays)
Closed Tuesdays

2 comments:

Derek said...

Thanks, going to check this place next week.

Unknown said...

Woah!!! My mouth watering!!!! I love it love it love it! Hope to try them all soon! Thankfully to this site I finally book my flight! C u soon, Japan!)