"Tsuchiura Curry Story" is a famous local curry from Tsuchiura City. Tsuchiura City is developing its city with curry made with local ingredients, and it is popular because you can enjoy a variety of curry dishes.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of "Tsuchiura Curry Story."

Features of Tsuchiura Curry Story

Tsuchiura Curry Story is a curry dish made by restaurants and bakers in Tsuchiura using local ingredients. They have created a variety of curry dishes, such as curry bread, curry pie, and curry croquettes. There are also many other unique dishes that use curry, which will surprise you.

One of the most famous dishes is "Zeppelin Curry." Popular as a local B-class gourmet dish, Zeppelin Curry uses a vegetable-based roux with local lotus root and Ibaraki's brand pork, "Rose Pork."

Some people may think that lotus root doesn't go well with curry, but it's actually a great match. Lotus root is often stewed with other ingredients or deep-fried and used as a topping. The unique texture of lotus root adds a nice accent to the dish.

Slowly simmered, rose pork is tender and flavorful. Depending on the restaurant, it may be served with turmeric rice or the rice may be presented in the shape of an airship.

History of Tsuchiura Curry

The famous "Zeppelin Curry" from Tsuchiura Curry Story is named after the airship.

The "Tsuchira Curry Story" began in 1929 when the German airship "Graduate Zeppelin", one of the largest in the world at the time, visited Tsuchiura on its way around the world and served curry made with ingredients from Tsuchiura to the airship's crew.

This prompted the formation of the "Food Town Development Review Committee" in 2004, and the start of efforts to develop a food town using curry. This led to the creation of "Zeppelin Curry," a modern take on the curry served to the crew of the Grau Zeppelin.

With the aim of developing and popularizing an original curry using lotus root, a local ingredient that boasts the highest production volume in Japan, regular study sessions are held with Mori Yukio of curry specialty restaurant "Pakumori" as the lecturer.

In addition, the "Tsuchiura Curry Festival" is held every November. Not only restaurants but also local students and housewives participate. Many people visit the "Tsuchiura Curry Festival" where they can taste a variety of curry dishes.

Tourist information and access for Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Tsuchiura City, famous for the Tsuchiura Curry Story, has a variety of sightseeing spots where you can experience nature and history. Among them, we will introduce three recommended sightseeing spots.

Kijo Park

"Kime Castle Park," which was developed on the premises of the Honmaru and Ninomaru parts of Tsuchiura Castle, which was built during the Muromachi period, is a historical symbol of Tsuchiura City. The castle, surrounded by a moat, is also known as "Turtle Castle" because it looks like a turtle floating on the water.

The area around Tsuchiura Station, which still retains traces of that time, is a tourist spot where you can feel the atmosphere of the Edo period. The park has a mini zoo and playground equipment, and is popular as a place of relaxation not only for tourists but also for locals. Kijo Park, famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, is also the venue for the Tsuchiura Cherry Blossom Festival.

Street Corner Warehouse

There are two Machikado Storehouses, "Daitoku" and "Nomura." Both are renovated storehouses built at the end of the Edo period.

Daitoku, a tourist information center, sells souvenirs such as lotus root noodles and lotus root sables, and also accepts bicycle rentals. At Nomura, located across from Daitoku, you can experience making soba noodles and enjoy a coffee. This coffee shop has a retro-modern feel and a unique menu, so it's a must-see.

Kasumigaura General Park

Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park is symbolized by a Dutch-style windmill built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tsuchiura City. The 360-degree panoramic view from the observation deck at the windmill is magnificent.

Tulip fields spread out all around the windmill, and many tourists visit during the best time to see them from early to late April. The park also has the Suigo Pool, which attracts not only tourists but also locals in the summer. In the winter, it is a popular tourist spot where you can enjoy illuminations.

Tsuchiura City, where you can enjoy both gourmet food and sightseeing, is close to the city center and is easily accessible. It takes about an hour by train or car to get there.

It takes about 50 minutes from Tokyo Station to Tsuchiura Station on the JR Joban Line Limited Express. If you take the expressway from central Tokyo, it takes about an hour.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Tsuchiura. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture

summary

At Tsuchiura Curry Monogatari, you can enjoy not only curry rice but also unique curry dishes. There are also menus that are perfect for eating on the go, so don't miss it.

If you visit Ibaraki, be sure to try the various curry dishes at Tsuchiura Curry Monogatari.

\ We are looking for Tempo Star affiliates! /