Wanko Soba, Jajamen, and the Flavours of the North
Tucked between mountains and sea, Iwate Prefecture is a treasure chest of regional flavours. It’s hearty, warming, and full of character. Whether you’re slurping noodles, grilling fish on a riverside, or sharing a meal in a farmhouse, Iwate’s food isn’t flashy, it’s deeply satisfying.
Come hungry and bring your sense of adventure: here are the dishes that define Iwate.
1. Wanko Soba (わんこそば) – The Endless Bowl Challenge
Let’s start with the most famous, fun, and slightly chaotic Iwate experience.
Wanko soba isn’t a dish, it’s a battle.
Served in Morioka and Hanamaki, this is a noodle-eating game where waiters keep refilling your bowl with small servings of soba as fast as you can eat them.
The moment you finish a bite, another scoop is dropped in, until you finally slam the lid on your bowl to signal surrender.
Most people eat 50–80 bowls (don’t worry, each is just a mouthful).
It’s delicious, silly, and 100% unforgettable.
2. Morioka Jajamen (じゃじゃ麺) – The Northern Noodle Twist
This Iwate specialty has roots in Chinese cuisine, but it’s now 100% Morioka.
Thick, chewy noodles served with a rich miso meat sauce, cucumber, and garlic.
Mix it all together into a savory, umami-packed bowl.
After you finish, ask for “chiitantan”. They’ll add hot water and a raw egg to the leftover sauce, creating a mini soup dessert.
It’s not spicy unless you want it to be, so perfect for flavour-lovers!
3. Morioka Reimen (盛岡冷麺) – Cold Noodles, Hot Passion
Another of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka”, this one was brought by Korean immigrants and adapted into a local staple.
Chilled, translucent noodles in an icy, slightly spicy beef broth.
Topped with kimchi, cucumber, boiled egg, and fruit (often a slice of pear or watermelon)!
Perfect for Iwate’s hot summers and surprisingly refreshing.
Locals have strong opinions about the best reimen shops, so ask around!
4. Hitomebore Rice & Mountain Vegetables (山菜)
Outside the cities, Iwate’s countryside offers simple, seasonal comfort food:
Mountain vegetables like warabi, fuki, and takenoko, gathered fresh and stir-fried or pickled. Served with steaming bowls of Hitomebore rice, one of Japan’s best-loved rice varieties that are grown right here in Iwate!
Often accompanied by miso soup, tsukemono, and grilled fish like ayu or iwagaki. This is the kind of meal you’ll find in a farm stay or rural inn and it tastes like home.
5. Hittsumi (ひっつみ) – Northern Soul Food
A classic Iwate winter dish:
Handmade flour dumplings pulled and torn into hot soup with vegetables and chicken or mushrooms. Hearty, filling, and full of love like Japan’s version of chicken and dumplings. The name comes from the verb hittsumeru (to pinch/pull apart)!
Perfect for cold evenings when snow covers the ground.
6. Local Sweets: Nambu Senbei and Walnut Mochi
After all that, don’t forget dessert!
– Nambu Senbei: Thin, crispy crackers made with wheat and often mixed with peanuts, sesame, or even squid.
– Kurumi Mochi: Soft rice cakes covered in sweet, nutty walnut sauce. It’s delicate, earthy, and addictive.
You’ll find these in souvenir shops, ryokan breakfasts, or at roadside rest stops.
Why Iwate’s Food Feels Special
Because it’s:
1. Made with love by small producers and families.
2. Closely tied to the seasons and land.
3. Humble, honest, and delicious. Just like Iwate itself.
4. You won’t find glitzy sushi bars here, but you will find someone’s grandmother handing you a perfectly grilled rice ball.
Final Thoughts: A Taste of Quiet Joy
Eating in Iwate isn’t about trends or Instagram posts. It’s about slowing down, savoring every bite, and feeling full not just in your stomach, but in your heart.
So whether you’re stacking tiny soba bowls, mixing miso noodles, or sipping wild mushroom soup by a farmhouse stove… remember: this is the flavour of Iwate.
