Japan Guide
Northern Honshū
Eating
1 Azuma-ya 東家 1-8-3 Nakanohashi-dōri Across the street from the Nakachan department store, this is a good place to head to for wanko-soba if Chokurian is full. Price: Wanko course menus start at ¥2600 Opening time: Daily 11am–8pm
2 Chokurian 1-12-13 Nakanohashi-dōri Opened in 1884, this is the best-known restaurant in town for wanko soba. Expect to pay ¥2625– ¥5200 for wanko soba, although they also serve reasonably priced standard noodle dishes in an adjoining room. Price: Thurs– Tues 11am–9pm
3 Nanbu Doburokuya 2-6-21 Ōdōri. This local favourite serves up incredibly fresh fish, meat, vegetables and horse sashimi (¥800–2500) in an old fashioned atmosphere. Price: Daily 5pm–2am
4 
Pairong 5-15 Uchimaru Just off Ōdōri, across from Iwate-kōen; walk under the big torii and look on the left side. One of the most popular places for ja-ja men, with huge but cheap portions. There's no menu, and the large portions are so filling that the staff advise new customers to try the regular (futsū) size (¥450) first; the egg soup costs another ¥50. Expect queues out front, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. Opening time: Tues– Sun 9am–9pm
5 Seirōkaku 2F 15-5 Ekimae-dōri Opposite the station, above a pachinko parlour. Sample the delights of reiman here; more conventional yakiniku and other meat dishes are also served (¥800–2500). Opening time: Daily 11am–2am
6 Shokudōen 1-8-2 Ōdōri. You can try reimen here, served to your required level of spiciness, as well yakiniku dishes that come with a bowl of raw egg and a single slice of piman (Japanese capsicum), for as little as ¥850. Opening time: 11.30am–12am, closed first and third Tues of month