Nokkedon

Nokkedon, enjoyed at the Aomori Gyosai Center in Aomori City, is a seafood bowl unique to Aomori in which you choose fresh treasures of the sea lined up at the market and pile as many as you like onto rice. The greatest charm is being able to combine seasonal toppings caught in the Tsugaru Strait and Mutsu Bay, such as tuna, salmon roe, and scallops, exactly to your taste. You can enjoy both the fun of making it and the joy of eating it at once.

Highlights

The real thrill of nokkedon is, above all, being free to choose your ingredients. First you buy rice, then stroll through the shops inside the market, placing on the toppings that catch your eye one at a time. You are free to build a lavish seafood bowl or a lighter one to your liking. Wrapped in the lively energy of a market lined with fresh toppings, the experience of creating a one of a kind bowl is exceptional.

Enjoying the Seasons

Because the treasures of the sea shift with the seasons, part of the fun is that the toppings on display change with the time of your visit. Winter offers an abundance of richly fatty fish, while spring into summer brings a wealth of shellfish and seasonal fish. Visiting in different seasons lets you taste the peak of each moment in a bowl, with new discoveries every time.

Access and Basic Information

The Aomori Gyosai Center is conveniently located within walking distance of Aomori Station. The system is to first buy special tickets or rice and then exchange them for ingredients at the shops inside the market. Since it opens in the morning, it is perfect for breakfast on a trip. Checking the closing days and hours in advance is reassuring.

A Quick Tip

The trick is to decide the amount of rice first, then start choosing toppings. If you are too greedy you may not fit everything on, so it is best to go around tasting a little at a time. Asking the shop staff about the seasonal toppings may lead you to an unexpected delight.