Down in the sunny southeast corner of Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture is best known for sunny skies, pristine beaches and some seriously flavorful food. With rich farmland, top-tier livestock and tropical fruit production, the region is a powerhouse of both comfort dishes and luxury delicacies. From juicy wagyu to sweet-tart mangoes, here are five famous foods in Miyazaki.
1. Miyazaki Beef (Wagyu)
Rich, buttery and unforgettable beef Image: PIXTA/ june
Miyazaki Beef consistently ranks among the top wagyu brands in Japan, rivaling even Kobe and Matsusaka in marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cattle are raised with meticulous care in the Miyazaki countryside, resulting in rich, buttery and unforgettable beef. Whether served as a sizzling steak, seared yakiniku or delicate shabu-shabu slices, this is luxury you can taste.
2. Chicken Nanban
A bold and addictive combination Image: PIXTA/ koalakko
Fried chicken. Vinegar. Tartar sauce. Name a more iconic trio. This retro-style dish started in a Miyazaki restaurant in 1956 and quickly became a nationwide classic. Chicken nanban features crispy, deep-fried chicken soaked in a sweet vinegar marinade, topped with a generous heap of creamy tartar sauce. It’s a bold, addictive combination that somehow balances crunchy, tangy and rich all at once.
3. Hiyajiru (Cold Soup Over Rice)
It’s a refreshing and nourishing dish. Image: PIXTA/ ささざわ
A local favorite during Miyazaki’s summers, hiyajiru is a chilled miso-based soup poured over rice, often with cucumber, grilled fish, sesame and shiso. It’s a refreshing and nourishing dish. You’ll find this local favourite across Miyazaki’s restaurants, family kitchens and in ryokan (traditional Japanese inns).
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