Journeys in photographs and words.
Hanton rice topped with tartar sauce and ketchup
Hanton rice topped with tartar sauce and ketchup

A Western-style diner founded in 1957, often introduced as the birthplace of hanton rice. Hanton rice is a Kanazawa favorite of ketchup rice under fluffy egg, topped with fried seafood, ketchup and tartar sauce. The name is said to join "Han" from Hungary with "thon," French for tuna.

2-9-15 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Sources: allabout.co.jp rurubu.jp post.japanpost.jp

This moment in the journey

Hanton rice

For Kanazawa's champion of B-grade comfort food, hanton rice, I went to Grill Otsuka. Ketchup rice under fluffy egg, topped with fried seafood and smothered in ketchup and tartar sauce.

Its curious name, I learned, joins "Han" from Hungary with "thon," the French word for tuna. Spoon in hand, I savored a taste loved by the locals.

Watch this scene on YouTube10:05

Read this scene in the full journey

The Grill Otsuka sign
The Grill Otsuka sign
Scooping up hanton rice
Scooping up hanton rice
Hanton rice on the table
Hanton rice on the table
Signed shikishi boards addressed to the restaurant, on the wall
Signed shikishi boards addressed to the restaurant, on the wall
The glass door at the entrance
The glass door at the entrance
A close-up of the fry, egg and ketchup rice
A close-up of the fry, egg and ketchup rice
Scooping up the fry and egg
Scooping up the fry and egg
Grill Otsuka from the street
Grill Otsuka from the street