Hokkaido oysters are known for their sweet, briny flavor.
Oysters might look somewhat underwhelming to some people - but give it a try at a fresh one in Hokkaido. It’s worth it. Hokkaido oysters don’t taste overly fishy, but you will enjoy a nice ocean flavor and a plump and springy texture.
In this article, you will learn everything about delicious oysters in Eastern Hokkaido.
Let’s dive in!
USEFUL READING
Hokkaido Packing Essentials - What to bring and what to leave at home
Check out more itineraries, useful guides & tips, and the best things to do in Eastern Hokkaido!
Where to get the best oysters in Eastern Hokkaido
Akkeshi and Saroma are the famous destinations for oysters in Eastern Hokkaido. Saroma offers the best oysters in the region, and is often said to be the best in Japan. While the size is relatively small, Saroma oyster is renowned for its sweet, rich, and creamy flavor.
The oysters are grown in Lake Saroma. The lake provides the best environment for oysters, where cold seawater from the Okhotsk Sea and fresh water from rivers come together. It cultivates lots of plankton, feeding the finest oysters in Japan.
When to get the best oysters
Oysters from Lake Saroma come into the season between November to March. During this period, you can find many restaurants and hotels serving Saroma oysters around the Lake Saroma area and across Hokkaido.
You can also buy fresh oysters at local seafood shops. The average price is around 1,000 yen per kg (6-9 pieces) for oysters with shells, and 2,000-3,000 yen per kg (80-100 pieces) for those without shells.
Grown in the cold and nutritious water of Lake Saroma, oysters become juicy, sweet, and creamy with a rich ocean flavor. Some grew up to the size of a hand after for being cultivated for two years!
How to eat oysters like locals
A couple of local seafood shops have fresh oysters with shells in Saroma. Some are okay to eat raw, some need to be cooked - make sure to check with the shop. Here I will walk you through how locals enjoy oysters at home in many ways.
Steamed Oysters with Sake
My favorite way of enjoying oysters from a local market at home is steaming them with Japanese sake! The oysters get fluffy and juicy cooked this way.
It is super easy to make - just put shelled oysters over aluminum foil in a large, deep pan, add 4 tablespoons of Japanese cooking sake, and cook for 10 min on medium heat. That’s it! It’s best matched with ponzu sauce. Bon appetit :)
Fresh raw oysters
Having them raw is another favorite way to enjoy oysters among locals. The oyster itself tastes a little bit salty with an ocean flavor, so you won’t need much seasoning. Some lemon juice would be nice, adding citrusy freshness to oysters.
Fried Oysters with bread crumbs
Locals love oysters fried with bread crumbs, called “Kaki Furai” in Japanese. The batter is crunchy outside, and the oyster inside is half-cooked and soft, which goes perfectly with tartar sauce.
Oyster Hot Post
We also enjoy oysters in a hot pot with different kinds of vegetables and tofu in a dashi broth soup. Oysters add a nice ocean flavor to the hot pot. It’s a perfect winter meal to share with family at home.
Oyster Curry Rice
This might sound weird, but curry rice with oysters is actually delicious, just like any other seafood curry rice.
Best Local Shops to Buy Oysters
Here are some places where you can get your hands on fresh oysters around Saroma. Make sure to check them out!
Saito Shoten - A popular local seafood store with many seasonal options
Tokoro Michi no Ichi - Another local seafood market offering fresh seafood as well as many products perfect for souvenirs.
Michi no Eki Saroma - A rest area with a souvenir shop and a small restaurant.
THAT’S ALL!
Hope you enjoyed this article. I’d love to hear from you, whether it’s feedback or questions - Reach out to me on my Facebook page or Instagram. We also have Eastern Hokkaido Travel Group on Facebook where you can ask questions or share experiences about trips to Eastern Hokkaido. Join us!
NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?
I’M HERE TO HELP YOU!
I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for the past 3 years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.
Check out what you can ask me & why you should plan with a local expert like me.
