Must-Try Foods In Tsutsujigaoka Park (Sendai) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Tsutsujigaoka Park, Sendai, Japan

While Tsutsujigaoka Park itself is most famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and pleasant park scenery, Sendai, the city where the park is located, has a rich culinary history. Sendai was founded by the daimyo Date Masamune, and its cuisine has been influenced by the samurai class and their sophisticated ways of dining. As a coastal city, Sendaidishes have also been shaped by the abundant seafood available, and through its history, it has developed a variety of unique foods. Sendai is particularly known for zunda, a sweet paste made from edamame (young soybeans), that is often associated with regional desserts.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Tsutsujigaoka Park, Sendai, Japan

1. Zunda Mochi (Veg) - Sweet mochi balls coated with a paste made from fresh, crushed edamame beans.
2. Sasa Kamaboko (Non-Veg) - A type of broiled fish cake that is shaped like a bamboo leaf, symbolic of Sendai's traditional craftsmanship.
3. Gyutan (Non-Veg) - Grilled beef tongue, a Sendai specialty that's seasoned with salt or tare sauce and often served with barley rice and tail soup.
4. Harako Meshi (Non-Veg) - A local rice dish topped with salmon and salmon roe, offering a combination of flavors from both the rice and the rich toppings.
5. Shiro Miso Soup (Veg/Non-Veg options) - A local variation of miso soup using white miso, which has a sweeter and lighter taste. May contain dashi made from fish.
6. Oshinko (Veg) - Assorted Japanese pickles, an essential part of a traditional Japanese meal, providing balance with their refreshing crunch.
7. Shiogama Sushi (Non-Veg) - Sushi using fresh seafood from Shiogama, a port city close to Sendai known for high-quality fish.
8. Hittsumi (Non-Veg) - A hearty regional stew with hand-torn pieces of flour dough, vegetables, and sometimes chicken or other proteins.
9. Miyagi Prefecture Fruit Desserts (Veg) - Desserts that incorporate fresh fruits from Miyagi Prefecture, which might include persimmons, pears, and grapes.
10. Aji Kesennuma Sanma (Non-Veg) - Grilled Pacific saury (Sanma) from Kesennuma, known for its fatty and rich flavor, especially delectable when in season.

Top Famous Restaurants in Tsutsujigaoka Park, Sendai, Japan

• Rikyu (Sendai Station Branch)
  Address: 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  Famous Food: Gyutan (Non-Veg)
• Kisuke (Multiple Locations)
  Address: Various locations in Sendai, including near Sendai Station and around the city
  Famous Food: Zunda Mochi (Veg)
• Aji Tasuke
  Address: 4-4-13 Ichibancho, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  Famous Food: Original Gyutan (Non-Veg)
• Date no Gyutan Honpo (Multiple Locations)
  Address: Various locations in Sendai
  Famous Food: Gyutan Teishoku (Non-Veg)
• Shunsai Saisai Kisuke Jozenji-dori Shop
  Address: Jozenji-dori, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  Famous Food: Harako Meshi (Non-Veg)
• Umeno Hana (Sendai)
  Address: 2-1-1 Central, Aoba-ku, Sendai Royal Park Hotel, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  Famous Food: Tofu Cuisine (Veg options available)
• Sushi Tetsu
  Address: 2-6-32 Kokubuncho, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  Famous Food: Shiogama Sushi (Non-Veg)
• Kakisen
  Address: 3-11-15 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  Famous Food: Fresh Oysters and Seafood (Non-Veg)

Note that food preferences such as vegetarian or non-vegetarian can often be accommodated with advance notice in many Japanese restaurants, though it's always recommended to confirm beforehand. Additionally, while Sendai beef is a famed delicacy of the region, it is not included in this list following your request, though many restaurants in the area specialize in preparingsukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and other dishes with it.