This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Kishimen, a local B-class gourmet food of Aichi Prefecture.

Aichi Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of Japan, and is a mix of urban and rural areas.

You can enjoy shopping and gourmet food around Nagoya, the prefectural capital, and if you go a little way from Nagoya you can enjoy the soothing countryside scenery.

This time, we will introduce you to Kishimen, a local B-class gourmet food from Aichi Prefecture that has such a fascinating dual nature!

What is Kishimen?

Kishimen is a type of udon that is flatter than regular udon and is a popular local dish of Aichi Prefecture.

In addition, the strong flavor is appealing, and it is said that Kishimen became popular in Aichi Prefecture because the people of Aichi Prefecture prefer strong flavors.

There are many restaurants in Aichi Prefecture that serve Kishimen noodles, but they are also sold commercially at supermarkets, making them a familiar home-cooked dish.

The history of Kishimen

Kishimen is said to have originated from a flat udon noodle called "Himokawa," which is currently a specialty of Kariya City.

It is said that it has been eaten since the Edo period, and there are records of it in several documents such as "Tōkaidō Meishokki" and "Koshoku Ichidai Otoko."

There are various theories about the origin of the name, but it is said to come from "kishimen," a Chinese snack made by kneading wheat flour and rolling it out flat.

Characteristics of Kishimen

The defining feature of Kishimen is that it uses flat noodles.

It is about 1mm thick and 7 to 8mm wide.

The Japanese Agricultural Standards stipulate that the difference between udon and kishimen is the thickness of the noodles, and the "Dried Noodles Labeling Quality Standards" state that strip-shaped noodles that are 4.5 mm or more in width and less than 2.0 mm in thickness are called "kishimen," while noodles with a long diameter of 1.7 mm or more are called "udon."

How to make Kishimen noodles

From here, I will introduce how to make Kishimen noodles.

First, prepare 2 boiled udon noodles, 50g spinach, 40g kamaboko, 1 piece of fried tofu, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 50ml dashi stock, 800ml dashi stock, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon mirin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, bonito flakes and green onions to taste.

First, boil the spinach and cut it into pieces about 3cm long, and cut the kamaboko into thin half-moon slices.

Boil the fried tofu briefly to remove the oil, then cut it into strips and simmer in 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, and 50ml of dashi stock.

While the ingredients are simmering, add 800ml of dashi stock, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of mirin, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a pot and bring to a boil.

Once the pot is boiling, add the boiled udon noodles and simmer gently.

Once cooked, transfer to a serving bowl and top with spinach, kamaboko fish cakes, and, if desired, green onions or bonito flakes.

Tourist spots in Aichi Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some tourist spots in Aichi Prefecture.

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is the symbol of Aichi Prefecture and was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1611.

Unfortunately, it was once burned down during war damage, but the five-story main tower and small tower were rebuilt in 1959.

It is famous for the golden killer whale that shines atop the castle tower.

Within the castle, the gorgeous Yudono Shoin, Jorakuden, and Honmaru Palace are all open to the public and are well worth seeing. If you visit Aichi Prefecture, this is a must-see spot.

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Nagoya Port Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Aichi Prefecture and is based on the concept of a "journey to Antarctica."

You can encounter approximately 50,000 marine animals from 500 different species, including dolphins and killer whales.

There are performance shows held every day that adults can enjoy, such as a dolphin show in one of the largest pools in Japan, a penguin parade, and a school of sardines.

Legoland Japan

Legoland Japan is a theme park where you can experience what feels like being transported into the world of the globally popular Lego.

The park is divided into eight areas with different atmospheres, including a Japanese-style area with ninjas and vermilion torii gates, and a Western-style area set in the Middle Ages with castles and horses.

There are also rides that you can ride while holding a baby, and roller coasters that even adults can enjoy, so it can be enjoyed by everyone from small children to adults.

Access to Aichi Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Aichi Prefecture.

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Aichi Prefecture, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. It takes about an hour and a half from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station. You can also get a good deal by using the "EX Hayatoku 21" discount ticket, which allows you to make reservations 21 days or more in advance of your departure.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Aichi Prefecture, we recommend taking the express bus. If you take a daytime bus, the journey takes about three hours.

Location of Aichi Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced Kishimen, a local B-class gourmet food from Aichi Prefecture.

We learned that Kishimen is a local dish with a long history that has been eaten since the Edo period. We also learned that it is a dish characterized by its flat noodles and strong flavor.

Aichi Prefecture has many theme parks that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, as well as tourist spots where you can experience Japanese history.

We hope you will all visit Aichi Prefecture at least once!

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