10 Gourmet Delights in Hakone: From Street Eats to Classic Diners!

In this delightful exploration, we dive into the heart of Hakone’s culinary landscape, uncovering the best-kept secrets and local favorites that define the rich and diverse food culture of this picturesque region.

Join us on a journey to the heart of Hakone where the simple yet profound flavors of soba and yuba await, offering a true taste of the region’s culinary heritage.

“Gyunabe Ukon,” a restaurant specializing in beef hot pot made with carefully selected Kuroge Wagyu beef from across Japan.

Located in the Hakone area, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience on a “kawadoko,” which refers to a special seating area extending over a riverbank, traditionally found in riverside eateries.

Kawadoko is often used for cooling off during the hot spring and summer months, but with kotatsu (heated tables) available at this restaurant, guests can enjoy the experience comfortably throughout the year, including the cooler autumn and winter seasons.

The restaurant boasts a serene and elegant Japanese ambiance, making it ideal for hospitality, business entertainment, or a slightly luxurious lunch.

The main attraction is the “Ukon Course” priced at 12,000 yen, featuring their popular rich and flavorful beef hot pot.

The course showcases the chef’s creative culinary skills, emphasizing high-quality ingredients.

Overlooking Lake Ashi, this popular café spot often sees queues even on weekdays.

The bakery shop on the first floor offers a variety of bread made with carefully selected ingredients, each rich in flavor and depth.

The café is located on the second floor, and there’s a restaurant on the third.

A must-try when visiting Hakone is the “King of Sandwich” served at the third-floor restaurant.

This oversized sandwich, reaching a height of 20cm, is not just big, but also delicious, a popular item.

Enjoy it at the counter seats, offering a panoramic view of Lake Ashi.

The desserts at the second-floor café are also recommended.

The “Lake Ashi Float”, representing the view of Lake Ashi with orange-flavored ginger ale and ice cream, is one of the unique drinks available.

Founded in 1891 (Meiji 24), this long-established bakery is known for its “Onsen Stew Bread”, a Hakone specialty baked upon order, also available for takeaway.

Another recommended item is the “Umeboshi Anpan”, filled with pickled plum. The unique dough, made using Hakone’s spring water and designed to stay delicious even the next day, is a highlight.

On the day of the Hakone Ekiden (marathon relay), they serve Onsen Stew Bread to spectators.

The store always incorporates seasonal ingredients into its menu, making it a place you’ll want to visit every time you’re in Hakone.

The specialty “Tai Gohan” (Sea Bream Rice) and seasonal dishes, including the popular sea bream collar simmered in broth, Youraku tofu, and dessert, make up the comprehensive “Youraku Tai Gohan,” which is the most popular item.

The Tai Gohan at Youraku is cooked with rice in kelp broth made with natural water from Mount Hakone.

The sea bream, grilled with natural salt from Ako, is then flaked and served with the rice.

Its simplicity allows you to savor the refined and robust umami of the sea bream in its entirety.

The Tai Gohan conveys a sense of warmth and gentleness.

Cafe KOMON “Komon,” located on the 2nd floor of “Chaya Honjin Hanaya” just a minute’s walk from Hakone-machi Port on Lake Ashi, offers an open atmosphere with its all-glass interior.

From the terrace seats, you can enjoy views of Lake Ashi, the pirate ship, and even Mount Fuji on clear days.

The staff’s recommended menu is the “Honjin Dango”.

Gather around a charcoal grill and enjoy conversation during your journey.

The dango, available in matcha, black sesame, and other flavors, are served with sweet bean paste, syrup, and grated radish.

The “Hanaya Special Pancakes”, served hot in an iron skillet, and the “Hanaya Blend” coffee, made with special-grade beans, are also part of their original menu.

The voluminous pancakes are perfect for sharing among 2-3 people.

The restaurant also offers a variety of hearty dishes like the “Honjin Hamburger”, making it a delightful spot to visit even during a short break before boarding the Hakone Pirate Ship.

“Jinenjo Soba Hakone Tsukumo” is a soba noodle restaurant in Hakone.

The specialty here is eating soba with natural yam (jinenjo), renowned for its rich aroma and the smooth texture of the noodles.

The soba, made with domestic buckwheat flour, is handcrafted daily, adjusting to the temperature and humidity.

The natural yam, cultivated in-house, is addictive for its flavor and stickiness.

Another highlight is the broth made from two types of high-quality bonito flakes.