Eating and Drinking
Sendai's speciality foods include gyo-tan (broiled, smoked or salted calf's tongue) or oysters from Matsushima Bay in winter (Dec-March). Sasa-kamaboko , a leaf-shaped cake of rather rubbery white-fish paste, is a popular local snack, which you can sample in Abe Kamaboko-ten, a famous outlet on the Chuo-dori shopping mall. Chuo-dori and the connecting Ichiban-cho arcades are good places to look for restaurants and cafes , while S-Pal, at the south end of Sendai Station, and the top two floors of the SS30 Building, also have a decent selection. Kokubun-cho , just west of the Ichiban-cho shopping mall, is Sendai's main entertainment district. Asian Foods Market , 2-5-1 Kokubun-cho. Cheerful, noisy izakaya serving a mix of Korean, Chinese and local foods at good prices. Expect to pay around Y2000 for an evening meal, and note that after 5pm there's a drink-all-you-want deal (Y1000 for 100min). Open till 4am Mon-Sat, midnight on Sun. Cascade , 4-6-1 Chuo. If you're looking for a break from Japanese food, try the eatery located inside the Sendai Kokusai Hotel . Western-style breakfasts start at Y1000, while lunches and dinners are Y1500-2000. Daily 7am-11pm. Dayu , 2F, 4-2-13 Ichiban-cho. A casual restaurant on the Ichiban-cho arcade specializing in garlic cuisine and a variety of Indonesian, Thai and Italian foods. Prices are reasonable, though there's an annoying table charge. English menu. Daily 11.30am-2pm & 5.30-11.30pm. Heiroku-zushi , Chuo-dori & Ichiban-cho. Two spick-and-span sushi outlets on the shopping arcades, with a takeaway service or conveyor-belt counter. Prices start at Y120 for two pieces. Daily 11am-2pm. Kaki Toku , 2F, 4-9-1 Ichiban-cho. Elegant oyster and seafood restaurant with a choice of tables or tatami seating. Set menus cost from Y6000, though there are plenty of cheaper options, including rice and tempura dishes from Y1000. Mon-Fri 11am-2pm & 5-9pm, Sat, Sun & hols noon-9pm. Kazu , B1, 2-11-11 Chuo. Small, friendly okonomiyaki joint that's worth seeking out in the backstreets north of Chuo-dori. They cook the pancake for you, from a choice of ingredients and regional styles. English spoken. Tues-Sun 11.30am-9pm. Saboten , 28F, SS30 Building, 4-6 Chuo. This well-rated, cafe-style tonkatsu restaurant at the top of Sendai's tallest building is surprisingly good value, with individual dishes from Y1000 and various set meals. Saboten also has a branch in the S-Pal building, but you don't get the views. Daily 11.30am-10pm. Santake , 4-9-24 Ichiban-cho. Casual soba shop opposite Mitsukoshi department store on the Ichiban-cho arcade. Individual dishes from Y570, or Y1300 plus for a set meal. Tues-Sun 11am-8pm. Tasuke , 2-11-11, Kokubun-cho. One of Sendai's best-known gyo-tan restaurants, where you can eat tongue in all its forms. If it's full, try the cheaper outlets in the alleys opposite. Tues-Sun 11.30am-10pm. Zeami , 1-6-15 Kokubun-cho. Another large, lively izakaya serving hearty portions of "assorted foods", from Californian nuggets to yakisoba . Count on Y2000 per head for a decent meal. Mon-Sat 5pm-3/5am, Sun & hols till midnight.
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