Key points about seared bonito from Kochi Port
- Kochi City is known as the "City of Bonito," boasting one of the highest bonito consumption rates in Japan.
- The specialty is straw-grilled tataki, where the surface is quickly seared over a strong straw fire. Salt-grilled tataki, served with salt, is also unique to Kochi.
- At Hirome Market in the city center, you can easily enjoy tataki (seared fish) grilled right in front of you (about a 25-minute drive from Kochi New Port).
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
What kind of dish is katsuo no tataki?
Katsuo no tataki is a local dish from Kochi Prefecture where the surface of the bonito is seared to bring out its aroma, while the inside remains raw and the bonito is served in thick slices. The unique aroma comes from searing it over a high-temperature flame made from burning straw.
Besides being eaten with a dipping sauce like ponzu, "shio tataki," which is seared with coarse salt and eaten with condiments, is also popular.
If you're going to eat from the port
| Hirome Market | Located in Obihiro-cho, Kochi City, this food stall village boasts over 60 stalls, including one that grills tataki (seared meat) over straw right in front of you. Opening hours are generally 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays, Saturdays, and holidays, and 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Sundays (hours may vary by stall). |
|---|---|
| Sunday market (when port is docked on a Sunday) | This street market, with a history of over 300 years, is held on Sunday mornings on Otesuji Street. You can enjoy street food such as sweet potato tempura. |
For details on the docking location and access, see "Kochi Port Cruise Port GuidePlease see "".
Store Map
Clicking on a store on the map will allow you to check its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps).
Tips for enjoying your port call
- There are no regular bus or train lines around Kochi New Port. You'll need to take a shuttle bus or taxi to get to the city center.
- Hirome Market gets crowded at lunchtime. The local custom is to secure a seat before going to buy food.
- Kochi Castle and Harimaya Bridge are also nearby, making it a convenient place to combine with sightseeing.
Please tell me what you found delicious.
If you ate katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) at Kochi Port on your cruise's port call day, please share the name of the restaurant and your impressions using the "Write a Review" link at the bottom of this page. It will be helpful for future visitors. Posts in languages other than Japanese, such as English, are also welcome.
FAQ
Q1How do I get from Kochi Port to Hirome Market?
There are no regular bus or train lines around Kochi New Port, so you will need to use a shuttle bus operated by the cruise line (towards Harimayabashi, which may be a paid service) or a taxi. It takes about 25 minutes by car.
Q2What is salt-seared bonito?
This style of seared bonito is eaten with coarse salt and condiments instead of sauce. You can enjoy the aroma of the straw-grilled bonito and its delicious flavor.
Source/Reference Information
- Hirome Market, Kochi City
- Kochi City: "Bonito, a fish dearly loved by the citizens of Kochi"
- Kochi Travel Net (Kochi Prefecture Tourism) "Hirome Market"
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Business hours and services are subject to change. Please let us know of any issues through reviews or inquiries.
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