OMG! The Most Insane Seafood Bowl in Izu 🐟

Grab crazy fresh seafood bowls steps from Ito Station! 🍣

Hello everyone~ It’s Hattie here 💛Welcome back to my Japan travel and foodie diaries! When you guys think of a trip to Japan, your mind probably goes straight to the neon lights of Tokyo, the temples of Kyoto, or eating your weight in convenience store snacks. But let me put you onto a hidden gem that you absolutely need to add to your itinerary: the Izu Peninsula! Besides the breathtaking Mount Omuro and the most relaxing onsens (hot springs) ever, coming to Izu means you have to experience one thing—the incredible, straight-out-of-the-ocean seafood. Honestly, I feel like I’ve been eating seafood every single day of this trip, but Izu’s seafood just hits different. There is a special kind of magic here! 😆

During our Izu adventure, I stumbled upon an absolute goldmine literally right across from Ito Station. It’s a seafood spot specializing in “Shirasu” (whitebait/baby sardines) called Shirasu Donya Dorome (しらす問屋 どろめ). Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce the Japanese name right now, because the flavor is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life! If you’re like me and had never tried raw whitebait before, you need to save this post ASAP. Not only is the freshness completely off the charts, but it’s also super kid-friendly. If you’re planning a trip to Izu, grab a matcha latte, get cozy, and keep reading! 👇✨

🚆 Location! Steps from Ito Station

When you’re traveling, convenience is literally everything. This spot’s location is an absolute 10/10! “Dorome” is situated directly across from Ito Station. Like, you step out of the station, cross one crosswalk, and boom—you’re there. You can’t miss it; it’s this charming yellow building with traditional Japanese vibes and a massive white noren (fabric divider) hanging over the door with the shop’s name.

They also have these huge, drool-worthy menu boards right out front. The pictures of the overflowing seafood bowls are so delightfully sinful that you simply cannot walk past without your stomach growling. It is basically a crime to not walk in! 🤤

Pro-Traveler Tip: Before we even walked in, we had the best interaction with the host. He was incredibly welcoming but made sure to give us a friendly heads-up: “Just so you know, we only have Japanese menus right now, and we are cash-only!” I honestly appreciated this so much! As a tourist, navigating dining rules in Japan can sometimes feel intimidating. Letting us know the deal upfront saved us any potential awkwardness when it was time to pay. (Always carry cash in Japan, guys!) This level of hospitality immediately won me over💖

🔪 The Open Kitchen: Serious Sushi Chef Energy

The moment you step inside, you’re hit with this incredibly warm, cozy, yet super authentic Japanese local diner vibe. But the absolute star of the show? The semi-open kitchen! I couldn’t take my eyes off it. You get to watch the head chef, rocking his traditional bandana, meticulously breaking down massive cuts of gorgeous, fresh tuna. It’s like dinner and a show!

For a restaurant that serves almost exclusively raw seafood, cleanliness is my number one priority. Let me tell you, their prep station was sparkling clean, and the ingredients looked vibrant and perfectly chilled. The chef was even totally cool with me snapping photos of his workspace! When a chef is that confident in letting you inspect their ingredients, you know you’re about to eat something spectacular✨ While Shirasu (whitebait) is their claim to fame, every single piece of seafood they serve is artisan-selected. No corners cut here!

📖 The “Dorome” Menu Guide: What to Order When You Want EVERYTHING

The bowls here run anywhere from 1,200 JPY to 1,900 JPY (which, with the current exchange rate, is an absolute steal for the massive portions you get). If you’re standing in front of the menu dealing with some serious decision paralysis, here is exactly what we ordered and loved:

👑 The Ultimate Signature: The 3-Color Shirasu Bowl (1,500 JPY)

If you are super curious about the whole “baby fish” thing and want to try it all, this “Three-Color Bowl” is your holy grail. It’s basically three wishes granted in one bowl! You get a generous section of translucent, sweet Raw Shirasu, a section of fluffy, boiled Kama-age Shirasu, and a portion of sweet-and-savory soy-simmered Tsukudani Shirasu.

This was my first time ever eating raw whitebait, and the texture is wild! It’s incredibly smooth, slips right down, and has absolutely zero fishy taste—just pure, clean, ocean sweetness. Because the raw fish is chilled and delicate in flavor, you have to mix it up with the raw egg yolk and warm rice underneath (more on that life-changing step in a second). It is so rare to find a place that serves all three preparations in one bowl. This is a non-negotiable must-order! 🐟

🍣 For the Bougie Seafood Lovers: The 4-Seafood “C Set” Bowl (1,900 JPY)

If you have a bigger appetite or you are just an unapologetic seafood snob, the “Recommended 4-Seafood Bowl” has your name written all over it. When this hit the table, my jaw actually dropped. The bowl was practically overflowing with glittering salmon roe (ikura), thick, buttery slices of raw salmon, perfectly marinated tuna, and their signature fluffy boiled whitebait.

Every single bite is an explosion of flavor. The salmon roe pops with this incredible briny sweetness, balancing perfectly with the rich, fatty sashimi and the soft Shirasu. It’s an insanely decadent combo that will have you patting your tummy in pure satisfaction. 😋

🍚 The Kid-Friendly & Picky-Eater Pick: Kama-age Shirasu Bowl (1,250 JPY)

Traveling with kids or friends who just can’t do raw fish? Dorome has you covered! I highly, highly recommend the pure white “Kama-age Shirasu Bowl” (Boiled Whitebait Bowl).

Because the little fish are quickly boiled in high-heat salted water, they become incredibly soft, fluffy, and aromatic. Seeing my son taking massive spoonfuls and refusing to stop eating was all the proof I needed! It’s warm, comforting, and packed with healthy protein. Such a gentle, delicious option for the little ones! 👼

🍳 The Golden Rule: How to Eat Your Bowl

Okay, listen closely because this is the most important part of the experience! Every single bowl here is crowned with a plump, golden, raw egg yolk right in the center. (Side note: raw eggs in Japan are strictly regulated and completely safe to eat, so don’t panic!).

poke that yolk! Watching the rich, golden yolk ooze out and blanket the salty salmon roe and smooth whitebait is literally mesmerizing. Mix the seafood, the egg yolk, and the warm rice all together for the perfect bite. The rich, creamy texture mixed with the fresh ocean flavors is heaven on earth. 🎆 Plus, the portions are super generous, so you won’t leave hungry!

Also, we have to talk about the miso soup that comes with the meal. It is NOT an afterthought. Packed with fresh seaweed and wheat gluten, it’s piping hot and perfectly balances out the chill of the raw seafood. Having comforting, hot side dishes in Japan always feels like a warm hug. For the price, the value here is completely off the charts!

🌟 Hattie’s Final Thoughts

We went around 6:00 PM during summer break and got super lucky—there was no line and the crowd was totally manageable. And hey, even if the menu is entirely in Japanese, do not stress! Just whip out your Google Translate app (or Gemini!) to scan the text, or literally just point to the gorgeous photos outside or in this blog post. You can’t mess it up! 👌

The owner and staff seemed totally used to foreign tourists. We got by perfectly fine with simple English, hand gestures, and smiles. They were so incredibly warm, constantly bowing and thanking us, and even checking in to make sure my son had enough to eat 😆. Experiencing that genuine Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) made the food taste even better.

If you are heading to the Izu Peninsula, you absolutely must add Dorome to your itinerary. Once you experience this mountain of fresh Shirasu, you’re going to be craving it long after your flight home! 👍

📌 Practical Info for Your Izu Trip

 📍 Restaurant Name: Shirasu Donya Dorome (Ito Station Branch) / しらす問屋 どろめ 伊東駅前店

 📍 Address: 1-16-10 Yukawa, Ito, Shizuoka (Right across from Ito Station!)

 📍 Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Always double-check Google Maps before you go!)

 📍 Hattie’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (A 5-star absolute must-eat!)