Ristorante Giueime (Tabelog Bronze 4.19) – Omagari, February 2025
I’ve been eager to share my experience at Ristorante Giueime, a hidden gem located in a remote area. Owned by Chef Sasaki and his wife, this restaurant offers a truly memorable dining experience. The lunch was a steal at just ¥7600, including tax. The entire meal took less than two hours, but I lingered a bit longer to chat with the lovely owners.
Reaching the restaurant required a day trip from Morioka. After arriving at Omagari Station on the shinkansen, I had some time to spare before lunch, so I enjoyed a long walk to the restaurant. While it’s feasible to take a bus, they run infrequently, so a taxi is the best option. The area surrounding the restaurant is mostly open space, with no nearby buildings in sight. Upon entering, I was welcomed into a cozy dining room with a few tables, complete with blankets and fire heaters. They kindly asked if I had a time constraint due to train schedules, which made me feel right at home. I was the only guest besides one local party, as train disruptions from the snow had caused several cancellations. Chef Sasaki’s wife was incredibly friendly, sharing stories about the local area and the farmers they source their ingredients from. She also reminisced about their recent culinary adventures. My table was brimming with brochures and booklets about local farms and specialties. I became engrossed in a copy of the 2024 Gault and Millau Japan food guide she handed me after I mentioned my food journey, providing me with great recommendations throughout the country.
Chef Sasaki came by to say hello after dessert, and we enjoyed a nice conversation about my travels and the restaurants I’ve visited. He even tried to guess my upcoming destinations based on the cities I mentioned, offering his own insights on worthwhile places to explore.
The service was not just friendly; every dish was absolutely delicious. The couple’s commitment to sourcing local ingredients shone through in every bite. Most ingredients were sourced within a 20-minute radius of the restaurant, with the vegetables and flour being organic. The freshly made bread and pasta left me wanting more, but the first dish truly knocked my socks off. After dessert, I was treated to a selection of coffee beans sourced from around the globe, and enjoying them while watching the snow fall outside was pure bliss.
I can’t wait to return and experience this wonderful restaurant again—hopefully sooner rather than later. While it may not attract many tourists, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting if you find yourself in the area!
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