Taipingyen is served in school lunches in Kumamoto. It may not be a familiar dish, but for the locals it is a familiar taste of home.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Taipingyan.

Characteristics of Taipingyan

Taipingyen is a healthy dish made with glass noodles and plenty of ingredients, including pork, shrimp, and seasonal vegetables such as cabbage and carrots. It is made with a chicken and pork bone based soup and is topped with a fried egg.

The basic way to make Tai Ping Yen is to add a small amount of oil to a pan and fry the pork, vegetables, and other ingredients. Then add the soup and glass noodles and simmer, then add salt and pepper to taste and serve on a plate. Finally, top with a fried egg to finish.

Because it is such a simple dish, it is important to make the soup and cook it quickly. Each restaurant makes Tai Ping Yen in a unique way. There are many variations, such as soy sauce flavor, salt flavor, and tonkotsu flavor, and it is loved by locals.

Tai Ping Yen is very healthy because it uses glass noodles instead of Chinese noodles. The smooth glass noodles are soaked in soup with concentrated flavors from the ingredients. It has a light yet rich taste. Tai Ping Yen is a nutritious dish with plenty of ingredients and a large portion.

History of Taipingyan

Taipingyen is a local dish originally from Fujian Province, China. In Fujian Province and other areas of China, Taipingyen, which means "a banquet of peace under the heavens," is often eaten at celebratory occasions.

It is believed that Taipingyan originated in the Meiji era, when Chinese people who had come to Kyushu made it when they visited Kumamoto. In Japan, there is a record that Taipingyan was served as a large dish at a banquet for people from Fujian Province, China, around 1900.

The "Tai Ping Yen" that was introduced at that time was apparently quite different from the one in Fujian Province, China. The "Tai Ping Yen" in Fujian Province, China is a dish similar to wonton soup with duck eggs. It contains "Bian Nhu Yen", a traditional wonton from Fujian Province, made by kneading pork and sweet potato starch.

However, duck eggs were difficult to obtain in Japan at the time, so chicken eggs were used instead. Also, glass noodles were used instead of bun meat noodles. With this arrangement, Taipingyen, which was a soup dish in China, became a noodle dish in Japan.

There are various theories about the origins of "Tai Ping Yen," but one theory is that it was "Chukaen" and "Kairakuen," which opened in 1933 (Showa 8), and "Koran Tei," which opened the following year. These three Chinese restaurants are known as the "Big Three of Tai Ping Yen." Unfortunately, however, "Chukaen" has closed down.

Taipingyen became known nationwide after the governor of Kumamoto Prefecture introduced it as a specialty dish of the region, and it is now served in school lunches locally.

Kumamoto Tourism Information

Kumamoto, where you can eat Taipingyan, is located almost in the center of Kyushu. It is also known as the "Land of Fire" because it is home to Mount Aso, one of the world's most active volcanoes. It is also known as the "Land of Water" because of the many springs.

Furthermore, there are beautiful forests all over the country, and Kumamoto City is also known as the "Forest City." We will introduce recommended sightseeing spots in Kumamoto, an area blessed with such abundant nature.

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle, said to be one of the three most famous castles in Japan, was built by Kato Kiyomasa. The highlight is the high, curved stone wall known as "Musha-gaeshi." Inside the castle tower, there is an exhibition that traces the history of Kumamoto Castle. From the observation deck on the top floor, you can get a panoramic view of the city of Kumamoto.

Sakuranobaba Josaien

Sakuranobaba Josaien, located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, is a tourist facility that recreates the houses of the castle town. There is a buffet restaurant, Kumamoto Sake Brewery, a noodle shop, and more, so you can enjoy dining and shopping. The Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza, where you can learn about the history and culture surrounding Kumamoto Castle in a fun way, is popular with both children and adults.

Suizenji Jojuen Garden

Suizenji Jojuen is a stroll-style garden with a pond where you can stroll around, centered around a pond where the underground water of Mt. Aso springs forth. It began in 1632 when Tadatoshi Hosokawa, the first lord of the Higo Hosokawa domain, built a teahouse, and was completed during the reign of Tsunatoshi, the third lord of the domain. Suizenji Jojuen, where you can enjoy the nature of the four seasons, is also loved by locals.

How to get to Kumamoto

There are various ways to get to Kumamoto. Most people use JR trains or airplanes.

Here is the travel time required to get to Kumamoto from major cities across Japan. Travel time may vary depending on the season and weather.

[From Tokyo to Kumamoto]
・From Haneda Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes ・From Narita International Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes ・From Tokyo Station to Kumamoto Station: Approx. 5 hours 40 minutes

[From Osaka to Kumamoto]
・From Itami Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport: Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes ・From Shin-Osaka Station to Kumamoto Station: Approximately 3 hours ・From Osaka Station (Sunrice) to Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal: Approximately 10 hours

[From Nagoya to Kumamoto]
・From Chubu Centrair International Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes ・From Prefectural Nagoya Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes ・From Nagoya Station to Kumamoto Station: Approx. 4 hours 10 minutes

[From Kyoto to Kumamoto]
・From Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit (Sunrise Bus) to Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal: Approx. 12 hours and 10 minutes

[From Hiroshima to Kumamoto]
・From Hiroshima Station to Kumamoto Station: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes ・From Hiroshima IC to Kumamoto IC: Approx. 4 hours 30 minutes

[From Fukuoka to Kumamoto]
・From Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station: Approx. 40 minutes ・From Dazaifu IC to Kumamoto IC: Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes ・From Hakata Bus Terminal (Hinokuni Expressway) to Sakuramachi Bus Terminal: Approx. 2 hours

Location of Kumamoto Prefecture

summary

Tai Ping Yen is a noodle dish made with glass noodles and plenty of ingredients. Each restaurant has its own unique flavor, so it's recommended to try different ones.

If you visit Kumamoto, be sure to try Taipingyen.

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