This article was originally published in Japanese in January 2022 after a trip.
Just a few minutes from the west exit of Kanazawa Station, you’ll find Cross Gate Kanazawa. The second floor is lined with restaurants, including Bistro Oriental, a place to enjoy Kanazawa’s craft beer. It’s one of the establishments provided by Oriental Brewing, a Kanazawa-based brewery offering craft beers, perfect for pairing with a meal.
I started with a tasting set, sampling four types of craft beer: “Citra,” “Yuwaku Yuzu Ale,” “1st IPA,” and “Kaga Bocha Stout.”
I paired the beers with warm vegetable bagna càuda and local fish carpaccio, finishing the meal with smoked mackerel pasta.
I returned the next day to try more craft beers that weren’t in the tasting set, accompanied by a Mont Blanc potato salad.
As a thank-you for visiting two days in a row, they offered me a complimentary buri daikon (yellowtail and radish). Since it was the New Year, they also served ozoni (New Year’s soup), making for an exceptionally generous experience.
On my trip to Kanazawa, I wanted to try something local, and Bistro Oriental was the perfect choice. I enjoyed original craft beers and dishes made with regional ingredients, which made for a relaxing and enjoyable experience after a long day of travel.
