"Miso lotus root" is characterized by its crunchy texture and pungent spiciness.

It has a long history, having been one of the health foods since the Edo period. Its origins have a surprising history, and recently a wide variety of ways to eat it have become popular.

So, this time we will explain the appeal of karashi lotus root, a traditional flavor that has been enjoyed in Kumamoto Prefecture for over 300 years.

What is Kumamoto's local gourmet food, "karashi lotus root"?

"Karashi Renkon" is a local dish made by stuffing boiled lotus root with "karashi miso" (a mixture of barley miso and Japanese mustard), coating it in batter and deep frying it. The vibrant yellow batter is made from natural pigments such as turmeric and gardenia, and is made using simple ingredients.

Recently, it can be seen on the menus of izakayas and souvenir shops, and is counted as one of the dishes of the New Year's cuisine in Kumamoto. There are also restaurants in the prefecture that serve freshly fried homemade mustard lotus root, so you can enjoy the crispy outside and fluffy inside mustard lotus root that can only be found locally.

The origin and origin of mustard lotus root

Karashi lotus root was invented about 400 years ago as a nutritious food for Tadatoshi Hosokawa, the first feudal lord of the Edo period. Concerned about Tadatoshi, who was originally in poor health, the monk Gentaku Osho of Rakanji Temple encouraged him to eat nutritious lotus root, but Tadatoshi was reluctant to eat it, claiming it was "an impure thing grown in the mud."

So they asked Mori Heigoro, a chef for the clan, to come up with a healthy dish using lotus root. At the time, lotus root was grown in the outer moat of Kumamoto Castle, and the dish was stuffed with a mixture of barley miso and mustard powder, coated in batter, and deep-fried. Lord Tadatoshi was very pleased with the dish.

It is also said that the sliced lotus root resembles the Hosokawa family crest, and this "mustard lotus root" was a closely guarded menu item until the Meiji Restoration.

After he started eating mustard lotus root, Tadatoshi's appetite returned and he became healthier. In addition, the descendants of Mori Heigoro, who was a chef at the time, opened a mustard lotus root shop in the Meiji period, which remains as a traditional shop today.

How to make mustard lotus root

How exactly is "mustard lotus root" made, which is handmade one by one using traditional methods?

The ingredients used are quite simple. After thoroughly washing the lotus root, it is boiled until it is slightly firm, and then stuffed with a special mustard miso, rotating it around the root to prevent air from getting in.

The flavor of mustard miso evaporates when it comes into contact with air, so the key is to pack it quickly. After the lotus root is stuffed with mustard miso and left to sit for a few hours, it is coated in batter and deep-fried. This is a dish made using a unique method to bring out the flavor of the mustard miso, and it is a dish that shines with skill and delicacy.

It is common for people in the prefecture to purchase mustard lotus root at stores and enjoy it, so be sure to look for it at your local store.

How to eat mustard lotus root deliciously

The addictive "karashi lotus root" with its exquisite spiciness and crunchy texture is usually cut into 5-8mm round slices and the standard way to eat it is as is with sake, shochu, beer, etc. It can also be eaten with soy sauce or mayonnaise if you prefer.

Although it is often thought of as a good match for Japanese food, it also goes well with wine and other Western-style alcoholic drinks. For example, if you put tomatoes, cheese, mustard lotus root, and ketchup on a cracker and bake it in the toaster for about 10 minutes, you will have a delicious canape with melted cheese. In addition, since "mustard" has a similar taste to mustard, it is also recommended to make a sandwich with ham, cheese, and vegetables.

As you can see, mustard lotus root can be eaten in a wide variety of ways, and one restaurant even uses it as an ingredient in croquettes and hamburgers. As time goes by, unique ways of eating it that make the most of its flavor have spread, making it a timeless dish.

Things to do in Kumamoto

From here, we will introduce some recommended tourist spots in Kumamoto City.

Sakuranobaba Josaien: Enjoy the food and culture of Kumamoto

The first one is Sakuranobaba Josaien, located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle.

This facility was established with the concept of allowing visitors to experience the food and culture of Kumamoto and to promote its appeal. In addition to being able to enjoy Kumamoto cuisine such as the famous "horse sashimi" and "inari dango," there are about 20 shops available, including souvenirs to purchase and the "Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza," where visitors can learn about the history and culture of Higo's 540,000 koku domain in a fun and virtual way.

Please enjoy shopping while experiencing the atmosphere of the castle town of that time.

Kurokawa Onsen: Choose from 26 open-air baths with your bath pass

Kurokawa Onsen was once known as a hidden gem.

The "open-air bath tour" pass, which was introduced in 1986, became a hot topic and now attracts tourists from all over the country.

The biggest attraction of Kurokawa Onsen is the open-air baths that can be enjoyed in a tasteful atmosphere. By purchasing the "bath ticket," which is the main attraction, you can choose three of the 26 open-air baths to bathe in freely.

The cute, round wooden bath pass is sure to become a memento of your trip. Why not relax in the hot springs and enjoy the lush greenery of nature?

Access to Kumamoto City

From here, we will introduce how to get to Kumamoto City.

Kumamoto Prefecture, located in the center of Kyushu, can be accessed by plane, bullet train, and express bus. By plane, it takes about 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport, and about 1 hour 5 minutes from Osaka's Itami Airport. It takes about 1 hour 25 minutes from Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport, so it can be reached in just 2 hours.

It takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kumamoto Station, and about 3 hours from Shin-Osaka Station. It is also about 1 hour and 40 minutes by Shinkansen from Hiroshima, and about 40 minutes from Hakata Station in Fukuoka, so it is easily accessible.

You can take an express bus from Hakata Bus Terminal to Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, which takes about two hours. Please use this information as a reference for your trip.

Location of Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced Kumamoto Prefecture's local gourmet food, "karashi lotus root."

Originally eaten as a healthy food by the feudal lord of Kumamoto, mustard lotus root has been passed down for hundreds of years, changing shape over the years.

Nowadays, you can find it in stores as easy-to-eat side dishes, so be sure to give it a try.

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