Miyagi beef tongue is thicker than the thin tongue served at yakiniku restaurants. It is so popular among locals that most restaurants have a beef tongue set meal on their menu.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Miyagi Prefecture's beef tongue.

Characteristics of beef tongue

Beef tongue is one of the famous local B-class gourmet foods in Miyagi Prefecture. Sendai is particularly famous for its beef tongue consumption, which is the highest in Japan. There are many different beef tongue dishes in Sendai, but the most popular is grilled beef tongue.

Thin tongue at yakiniku restaurants can be served immediately after peeling and slicing, but grilled beef tongue in Sendai is not that easy. First, the beef tongue is peeled and sliced thickly, and then it is left to mature for several days in a process called "preparation." By making cuts in the tongue and marinating it in secret seasonings such as salt and sauce and letting it rest in the refrigerator, the deep flavor and rich aroma of the beef tongue is brought out.

Beef tongue can be broadly divided into four parts. However, only a few of these parts are used for grilled beef tongue in Sendai. Only the most fatty and tender parts of the tongue, called the tongue base and tongue center, are used. The tender parts are carefully cut by craftsmen into thick slices, making them very satisfying to eat.

The tough tip of the tongue is used in curries, stews, soups, etc. Stewing gives it a melting texture and deep flavor, so no part of the tongue is thrown away and nothing is wasted. Recently, new products such as hamburger steaks have been developed one after another. Beef tongue is commonly served grilled or stewed, but there are also restaurants that offer unusual beef tongue dishes such as sashimi and tataki.

The history of beef tongue

The birthplace of beef tongue is Sendai. It began in 1948 when Keishiro Sano opened a grilled beef tongue specialty restaurant called Aji Tasuke in the center of Sendai city.

At the time, there were many unemployed people and food shortages. Yakitori restaurants were very popular because they were easy to open, and Sano ran one too. However, as other restaurants around him copied his business, Sano began to think, "I want to create my own unique dish that no one else can imitate."

When he discussed this idea with a person who ran a Western-style restaurant, he was told about beef tongue. The tongue stew he tried was delicious and he became fascinated with beef tongue. However, he gave up on serving it because it took a long time to simmer. That's when he came up with the idea of grilled beef tongue.

Sano-san spent about two years perfecting his beef tongue grilling technique, researching how to peel and cut the beef tongue, the seasoning, aging period, and how to grill it. At the time, it was difficult to procure the ingredients, and beef tongue was limited to three pieces per person.

Also, because rice was a precious commodity, they developed "barley rice," which is made by mixing barley with rice to reduce the amount of rice used, and "oxtail soup," which uses oxtail, a part not often used in cooking, because they did not want to waste ingredients.

Beef tongue is a simple dish, but by being particular about the choice of ingredients and cooking method, a unique flavor is created. Nowadays, many beef tongue specialty restaurants have appeared, and it is said that there are more than 100 stores. Each store makes an effort every day to continue to protect the tradition of Sendai beef tongue.

By the way, the Sendai Aoba Festival, held every May in Sendai city, is a must-see, as it serves a variety of dishes using beef tongue, such as "beef tongue skewers" and "beef tongue franks." September 10th is also designated as "Beef Tongue Day," and commemorative events are held throughout the prefecture. Beef tongue culture is so deeply rooted in Miyagi prefecture that beef tongue is served at local festivals and events.

Tourist information and access for Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture, where you can eat beef tongue, has a variety of tourist spots. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Sendai city.

Osaki Hachiman Shrine

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine was built by Date Masamune in 1607. It is designated as a national treasure as the oldest example of Azuchi-Momoyama architecture. The shrine building is gorgeously decorated. It is said to bring good fortune in warding off evil, warding off disasters, ensuring victory, and ensuring safe childbirth, and is visited by many tourists.

Sendai Uminomori Aquarium

At the Sendai Uminomori Aquarium, there is a large tank that recreates the rich seas of Sanriku, where you can feel the charm of the unique creatures of the Japanese seas and the world. In addition, there is a performance by dolphins, sea lions, and birds, which is one of the largest in the Tohoku region, and you can also experience interacting with creatures such as penguins, so it is a must-see.

Akiu Waterfall

Akiu Otaki is a 6m wide, 55m high waterfall that is said to be one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, alongside Kegon Falls in Tochigi Prefecture and Nachi Falls in Wakayama Prefecture. It has also been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls. There is a promenade that leads down to the base of the waterfall, and it is very impressive when viewed up close. If you want to see the whole waterfall from above, go to the Takimidai, located very close to Akiu Otaki Fudoson.

Sendai, an attractive city for both gourmet food and sightseeing, has a variety of ways to access the city. It is also conveniently located near Japan's three largest cities: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

If you take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo, you can reach Sendai in as little as 90 minutes. From Nagoya or Osaka, it takes about 3 to 4 hours by Shinkansen. You can also fly from Nagoya or Osaka, and arrive in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's also possible to do a day trip.

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

Location of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

summary

In Miyagi, you can enjoy the standard menu of "Beef Tongue Set Meal" at any restaurant. It is recommended as it is a set of thickly sliced grilled beef tongue, barley rice, and oxtail soup. In addition to this, you can encounter various beef tongue dishes such as tongue stew and beef tongue ramen.

If you visit Miyagi, be sure to try Sendai's beef tongue.

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