Casa del Cibo (Tabelog Bronze 4.14) – Hachinohe, February 2025
After leaving Aomori, my next stop was Hachinohe, where I was eager to indulge in some well-crafted Italian cuisine. Casa del Cibo was set to be my first Italian dining experience of the trip, and I had heard wonderful things about it. A fellow traveler had raved about the dinner, especially highlighting the Shirako dish. Chef Ikemi brings a wealth of experience, having trained in both French and Italian cooking.
Despite a few navigational mishaps getting to the restaurant from my hotel, I made it just in time. The restaurant is a bit of a trek from Hachinohe station—accessible by train and a 20-minute walk—but a taxi is definitely the easiest option. My meal cost ¥14,300 and took less than two hours. Booking through Pocket Concierge was super easy.
The restaurant features a counter that seats four, along with private and semi-private dining options; however, I was the only guest that evening. I had the opportunity to chat with Chef Ikemi about his ingredient sourcing, his culinary background, and a bit about his homeland—all in Japanese. Although he’s not the chatty type, I appreciated that we didn’t have to sit in silence throughout the meal. His wife served as the only staff member and had some basic English skills. Overall, I found the service to be cordial, making me feel right at home.
As for the food, it certainly lived up to the hype. I savored some of the finest seafood and beef Aomori has to offer, all prepared to perfection. Chef Ikemi’s Shirako was unlike any version I’d had before and quickly became my favorite dish. Every pasta course was exceptional, especially the Scialatielli. I was initially skeptical about the savory crème brûlée, given my love for the classic dessert, but it worked beautifully. The beef was outstanding—juicy, flavorful, and incredibly tender.
Visiting Hachinohe was well worth it just for this meal. Despite having a challenging day, all my worries faded away as I enjoyed my time at the counter.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.