Date no Gyutan Honpo

Sendai's signature dish is gyutan, grilled beef tongue, and this restaurant is one of the best places to try it. Their specialty is the thick-cut core tongue, sliced from the most tender part, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then charcoal-grilled until the outside chars and the inside stays juicy. The standard set pairs it with barley rice, crisp pickled vegetables, and tail soup, the classic Sendai combination. Multiple city locations including Sendai Station make it easy to fit in, though the flagship offers the most complete experience. For first-timers, this is where to start.