Saitama Prefecture is the second largest producer of udon in Japan, and you can eat a variety of udon noodles. One of these is "Konosu Kawahaba Udon," which has been loved by locals since its creation. Its striking appearance makes it a popular local B-class gourmet dish among tourists.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Konosu Kawahaba Udon.

Characteristics of Konosu Kawahaba Udon

Konosu Kawahaba Udon is characterized by its wide noodles, which are over 5cm wide. Some restaurants have noodles that are nearly 10cm wide. The thickness also varies, but is generally around 2 to 3 mm. It is impressive and satisfying to eat. It is quite heavy when you pick it up with chopsticks.

Because it is so wide, you cannot slurp it like you would with regular udon. If you try to eat it too hard, you will end up coughing, so cut it into small pieces and eat it. Some restaurants may lend you a knife and fork.

Konosu Kawahaba Udon has a smooth texture, yet is chewy and springy. There are a variety of menu options, including Zaru Udon, Simmered Udon, and Curry Udon. Restaurants that serve it are marked by a flag that reads "Konosu Kawahaba Udon."

The history of Konosu Kawahaba udon

The Arakawa River, which flows between Konosu City and Yoshimi Town, was certified as the widest river in Japan by a survey conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in February 2008. The river is normally only a few dozen meters wide, but the Ministry defines the "river width" as the distance between the levees, including the riverbed, so the width between the two levees 62km upstream from the river mouth is 2,537m, making it the widest in Japan. Currently, there are signs marking the "widest river in Japan" at the foot of Onari Bridge and on the levee in Owada, Yoshimi Town.

In August 2009, "Konosu Kawahaba Udon" was created, a dish with a width of about 8cm, named after the 2,537m wide river in Japan. Konosu Kawahaba Udon was developed by Mr. Komine, the owner of "Men Kobo Kuraichi", which opened in 1996.

Komine came up with the idea for "Konosu Kawahaba Udon" after being approached by the city government and asked, "Why don't you make wide udon noodles based on the motif of the river being the widest in Japan?" Kawahaba Udon was born when the city government tried prototypes that had different widths and thicknesses of udon noodles.

However, making wide udon noodles was not easy. Simply making the noodles wider would make them difficult to eat, so some ingenuity was required. For this reason, it took more than three times as long as usual to make the udon, and the noodles were stretched as thin as possible so that they would not break when boiled. The secret to making delicious "Konosu Kawahaba Udon" is to handle the noodles carefully after making them and let them sit in the refrigerator.

When they first started serving "Konosu Kawahaba Udon," some customers would leave their food uneaten, but it quickly became popular after they placed second in their first appearance at the "6th Saitama B-Class Local Gourmet Championship" in 2010. The number of restaurants serving "Konosu Kawahaba Udon" also increased, and they achieved their long-awaited first victory at the "12th Saitama B-Class Local Gourmet Championship" in 2015.

Tourist information and access for Konosu City, Saitama Prefecture

When you visit Saitama, why not enjoy sightseeing in Konosu City, where you can eat Konosu Kawahaba Udon? This time, we will introduce three popular sightseeing spots in Konosu City.

Cherry blossom trees along the Motoarakawa River

The area around "Moto-Arakawa" is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture. From late March to early April, about 500 cherry trees bloom in the area.

A 2.5km long hydrophilic bank is constructed on both sides of the river, so a stroll is recommended. At night, when the lanterns are lit up, you can enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms in a fantastical space.

Kou Shrine

Kou Shrine tells the legend of the stork. It is famous as a shrine that grants blessings for fertility and safe childbirth, and is visited by many worshippers.

The highlights include the "Couple Ginkgo Tree" which is said to be over 500 years old, and the "Sangitsine Inari Shrine" located within the grounds. At Kou Shrine, the "Stork Fortune Telling Slips" and "Stork Egg Charms" are popular.

Konosu City Industrial Tourism Center "Hina no Sato"

At Konosu City Industrial Tourism Center "Hina no Sato," valuable materials handed down from the Edo period are on display, with a focus on Hina dolls, a specialty of Konosu.

Don't miss the precious "Konosu Hina" dolls, of which there are only a few left nationwide. You can also enjoy Hina dolls from various eras, such as Kyoho-bina and Kokin-bina. Konosu's specialty products are also sold, so you can purchase them as souvenirs.

Konosu City, where you can enjoy both gourmet food and sightseeing, is close to the city center and has good access. It is about an hour by car from Tokyo, and about three hours from Nagoya by Shinkansen. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Konosu City, Saitama Prefecture

summary

The wide "Konosu Kawahaba Udon" was created to resemble the "widest river in Japan," making it both impressive and filling. The chewy and smooth texture of the "Konosu Kawahaba Udon" is loved by many people.

If you visit Saitama, be sure to try Konosu Kawahaba Udon.

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