What Food To Try in Kagoshima and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Kagoshima for 2024.
National currency: Yen, symbol — ¥ (international currency code JPY).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Kagoshima cafes and restaurants
$10.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $8.3
$37.8
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $20.74
$6.8
Combo Meal
Starting from $5.53
What to Try in Kagoshima
Must-try Dishes
Shirokuro Buta Shabu - Black and White Pork Shabu (hot pot) - Thinly sliced Kagoshima black pork cooked quickly in a bubbling pot of flavored broth. Locals often enjoy this dish with family or friends during cold evenings, dipping the meat in sesame sauce.Jibu-ni - Duck Stew - A hearty stew made with duck simmered in a rich soy sauce base along with vegetables, often garnished with fresh green onions. Typically served during special occasions, it’s a comforting dish many Kagoshima locals adore on chilly nights.
Karuma Ramen - Karuma Noodles - Thick, chewy noodles served in a savory pork broth, topped with tender chashu pork and a whisper of green onion. This beloved lunch option can be found in cozy ramen shops where locals gather for a quick meal and lively chat.
Kagoshima Wagyu - Kagoshima Beef - Known for its rich marbling, this grilled beef has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that speaks to the quality of local agriculture. Enjoyed at fine dining restaurants or casual izakayas, it’s often paired with simple sides to let the flavor shine.
Kamadasushi - Kamado Rice - A delightful combination of sushi rice mixed with seasonal vegetables, often served in communal settings where everyone shares. It’s a delightful dish to savor during festive occasions and reflects the local preference for freshness and quality.
Birou, a seasonal specialty - Ramen with Seasonal Vegetables - This vibrant dish showcases a mix of local vegetables, noodles, and a fragrant broth, adapted to reflect the current season. Locals love to enjoy this comforting meal in the spring when ingredients are at their freshest.
Fushimi-Tagen - Grilled Fish Skewers - Skewered fish, often mackerel or sardines, seasoned with salt and grilled to perfection, served at street stalls during festivals. A common mistake is expecting it to be sweet; the salty flavor is the true star here, perfect for a leisurely evening stroll.
Tamago Kake Gohan - Rice with Raw Egg - Freshly steamed rice topped with a raw egg and soy sauce, creating a creamy, savory bowl that's simple yet profound. This dish is typically enjoyed for breakfast, with locals often adding additional toppings to customize it to their taste.
Desserts & Drinks
Kagoshima Black Tea - 鹿児島紅茶 (rich locally grown tea) - A full-bodied black tea with a slight sweetness, often sipped hot. Locals love to enjoy this tea in the afternoon, sometimes served in a quaint teapot alongside sweet treats.Yukimi Daifuku - 雪見大福 (sweet rice cake dessert) - A mochi stuffed with soft ice cream, often flavored with local ingredients. Local variations might infuse the mochi with sweet potato or matcha for a delightful twist, making it a popular treat during the hot summer months.
Imo Kashi - 芋菓子 (sweet potato pastry) - A flaky pastry filled with sweet potato paste, crispy on the outside and soft within. These are commonly enjoyed during festivals, providing a taste of local traditions that’ll warm your heart (and belly) whenever they pop up at stalls.
Shiroi Kuroi - 白い黒い (black-and-white dessert) - A dazzling dessert that layers sweetened shaved ice with sweet seaweed jelly, often featuring flavors like black sesame and coconut cream. Each bite is a refreshing treat that screams summer, usually savored at hanami celebrations. By the way, many locals prefer their shiroi kuroi with a drizzle of condensed milk for an extra touch of sweetness!
Food and Groceries in Kagoshima
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.31 |
| Oranges | $13.83 |
| Apples | $4.15 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.69 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $2.42 |
| Imported Beer | $2.07 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $13.83 |
| Milk 1L | $1.29 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $10.37 |
| Chicken | $4.49 |
| Cigarettes | $3.46 |
| Rice | $6.22 |
| Local Cheese | $5.53 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Lunch in Kagoshima generally happens around noon, with many locals filling restaurants around 12:15 PM. The timing can lead to packed spots, particularly in areas like Tenmonkan, where you might wait for a table during busy periods. Dinner, on the other hand, typically starts around 6 PM, where gathering with friends or family often extends late into the night—often around 8 or 9 PM for a more casual atmosphere.
Price ranges in Kagoshima can vary significantly based on the district and type of cuisine. Eating at a modest ramen shop, for instance, can set you back about ¥800 to ¥1,200, while a meal at a more upscale izakaya may range from ¥3,000 to ¥8,000. I paid ¥1,200 yesterday for a fine bowl of tonkotsu ramen in a no-frills eatery in the city center, close to the shopping streets. If you venture further out to a high-end restaurant, don’t be surprised to find dishes priced upwards of ¥10,000.
One common misconception among visitors is the expectation that tipping is customary here. In reality, tipping is not a part of Japanese dining culture. Instead, you're more likely to encounter a service charge added to your bill in establishments that cater to foreigners. Paying is straightforward; cash remains king. While many restaurants now accept credit cards, it's prudent to carry cash, especially in local neighborhoods.
As for local dining habits, you'll often find that diners are quick to slurp their noodles, a sign of enjoyment rather than rudeness, so don’t hold back. Families and friends often share dishes, promoting a communal approach to meals, enhancing the overall experience.
Reservations are wise, particularly if you're eyeing popular restaurants known for regional specialties like sakurajima daikon or black pork. Busy weekends can see long lines forming, especially from 7 PM onwards.
Kagoshima’s food scene adapts with the seasons, and certain dishes gain popularity with the change in weather. For example, hot pot dishes like shabu-shabu rise in demand during cooler months, while lighter fare, sushi, and sashimi take precedence in the summer. Local markets, such as those around the Shiroyama area, buzz with life in the mornings—perfect for snagging fresh ingredients for home cooking.
As the city grows and new transport links develop, locals are increasingly exploring dining options in previously less-trafficked areas. It’s interesting to see how food trends shift with greater accessibility, changing the landscape of dining in Kagoshima.
Price ranges in Kagoshima can vary significantly based on the district and type of cuisine. Eating at a modest ramen shop, for instance, can set you back about ¥800 to ¥1,200, while a meal at a more upscale izakaya may range from ¥3,000 to ¥8,000. I paid ¥1,200 yesterday for a fine bowl of tonkotsu ramen in a no-frills eatery in the city center, close to the shopping streets. If you venture further out to a high-end restaurant, don’t be surprised to find dishes priced upwards of ¥10,000.
One common misconception among visitors is the expectation that tipping is customary here. In reality, tipping is not a part of Japanese dining culture. Instead, you're more likely to encounter a service charge added to your bill in establishments that cater to foreigners. Paying is straightforward; cash remains king. While many restaurants now accept credit cards, it's prudent to carry cash, especially in local neighborhoods.
As for local dining habits, you'll often find that diners are quick to slurp their noodles, a sign of enjoyment rather than rudeness, so don’t hold back. Families and friends often share dishes, promoting a communal approach to meals, enhancing the overall experience.
Reservations are wise, particularly if you're eyeing popular restaurants known for regional specialties like sakurajima daikon or black pork. Busy weekends can see long lines forming, especially from 7 PM onwards.
Kagoshima’s food scene adapts with the seasons, and certain dishes gain popularity with the change in weather. For example, hot pot dishes like shabu-shabu rise in demand during cooler months, while lighter fare, sushi, and sashimi take precedence in the summer. Local markets, such as those around the Shiroyama area, buzz with life in the mornings—perfect for snagging fresh ingredients for home cooking.
As the city grows and new transport links develop, locals are increasingly exploring dining options in previously less-trafficked areas. It’s interesting to see how food trends shift with greater accessibility, changing the landscape of dining in Kagoshima.