5 Famous Foods You’ll Find in Ehime

Ehime Prefecture is popular for its sunny citrus groves, island landscapes and easygoing coastal towns. Beyond its scenery, the region offers a vibrant food culture shaped by the sea and the countryside. Local specialties highlight the prefecture’s fresh seafood, seasonal fruit and long culinary traditions. Check out our list of five famous foods you’ll find in Ehime.

1. Tai-meshi (Sea Bream Rice)

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No dish represents Ehime quite like tai-meshi. This comforting dish comes in two regional styles: in Uwajima, slices of raw sea bream are coated with a soy-based sauce with raw egg and poured over rice, while in Matsuyama, the fish is cooked with the rice itself. Both highlight the freshness of sea bream from the Seto Inland Sea.

2. Ehime Citrus

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Nicknamed Japan’s “Citrus Kingdom,” Ehime has an abundance of oranges and citrus fruits grown along the Seto Inland Sea. The region’s mild climate and sea breeze create perfect conditions for varieties like iyokan, dekopon, beni madonna and the beloved mikan (mandarin orange). In winter, the hillsides turn a vivid orange as fruit ripens on the trees and visitors can join mikan-gari (orange-picking) experiences. Enjoyed fresh, frozen into a sorbet or blended into a smoothie, Ehime citrus perfectly captures the bright, refreshing taste of the region.

3. Jakoten (Fried Fish Cake)

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Jakoten is made from finely ground fried fish paste. The result is chewy, flavorful and rich in umami. Locals enjoy it with udon or pair it with sake, making it a versatile favorite across Ehime. Its origins date back over 200 years and the recipe has remained largely unchanged ever since. Today, visitors can find it freshly made at markets and roadside stands, often enjoyed with a dash of soy sauce or grated daikon.

4. Ehime Tarte (Iyokan Cake Roll) 

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This signature Matsuyama sweet is a soft sponge roll filled with sweet bean paste and iyokan citrus jam. Introduced in the Edo period by a Nagasaki confectioner, it’s a beautiful blend of Japanese and Western influences. You can find Ehime tarte in traditional confectionery shops, department stores and souvenir stands around Matsuyama, especially near Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle.

5. Salt Bread (Shio Pan)

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Invented in Yawatahama City, this buttery, lightly salted bread roll became a nationwide sensation. Many cafes in Ehime serve their own versions, from cheese-filled rolls to sweet caramel-glazed twists. Try the original at Pain Maison in Yawatahama.

Know of other famous foods you’ll find in Ehime that you think we should mention? Discover more local favorites in our Famous Foods in Japan series.