2023.06.03

How to…Hirome Market!

So, you’ve made it to Hirome Market–arguably the best foodie spot in Kochi City. You walk past a master chef searing bonito in a blazing rice straw fire, souvenir shop owners welcoming you in, jolly customers chatting in the dining hall and everything is quite exciting but you wonder...what now? How do I order food? Are there any rules to follow? Hirome Market is a compact space with a lot going on, so it's okay if you feel a little intimidated at first. Check out this quick guide on how to make your way around “Kochi’s Kitchen”

Grab a seat

Before ordering your food, grab a seat! There are over 430 seats in the market, so you have plenty of choices. But make sure you're not taking up more space than you need because the main dining hall is communal. When it’s crowded, especially during the weekend, you will need to share your table but it’s a great opportunity to chat up a conversation with some friendly locals sitting beside you! Generally, you cannot make seat reservations, but this can depend on the restaurant so it is recommended to call if you're interested in securing a spot in advance.

Order your food

Now that your seats are secured, you can go find the best bites. Everything here is delicious but below are some of my top picks! 

Katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) at Myojinmaru
https://goo.gl/maps/c5vdx9FAdCWAfpo8A

Utsubo (moray eel) at Chinmido
https://goo.gl/maps/4Mu7bDf88qAmsFuU7

Salted katsuo no tataki at Yairotei 
https://goo.gl/maps/zSbQC38psaxxJqN67

Kochi-style gyoza (dumplings) at Yasubee
https://goo.gl/maps/zSq4mhsyRmuYaMQ49

Local specialty sake at Nishitora
https://goo.gl/maps/3hP4N2pnQcf6iakUA

Tidy up

After finishing your meal, you can leave your plates on the table as the staff will come and collect them. But plastics and other trash should be thrown away in the nearby garbage can.

Is there anything else you would like to know about Hirome Market? Let us know in the comments!

Learn more about Hirome Market: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10024
  • How to…Hirome Market!

  • How to…Hirome Market!

  • How to…Hirome Market!