Yamagata Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region, is about three hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo.

The prefecture is famous for its cherries, which account for 70% of the nation's cherries production, but it is also a land rich in nature, with four beautiful seasons and a mountain that is counted among Japan's 100 most famous mountains.

Today, I will explain about Yamagata Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food.
Enjoy gourmet food made with fresh ingredients.

What is Yamagata Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food?

Yamagata Prefecture, bordered by both the sea and the mountains, has long been known as a "treasure trove of food."

Many tourists, including locals and those from outside the prefecture, visit the area to try the local B-class gourmet food.

A characteristic of Yamagata Prefecture's B-class gourmet food is that even if the food was originally famous, it has now become firmly rooted as home cooking, and many of them can only be found with ingredients sold in supermarkets or at local restaurants that have been in business for a long time.

That's how much local B-class gourmet food has become a part of life for the people of Yamagata Prefecture.

We have a very wide range of gourmet food available, from hearty meals to sweets.

"Cold" Meat Soba

"Cold meat soba" is a specialty dish from Kahoku Town, Yamagata Prefecture, and the chicken used is chewy parent chicken.

There are several origins of cold meat soba.
"To make effective use of chickens that have already grown."
"If you serve the soup hot, the soba will get soggy while you're eating the meat topping, so we serve the soup at room temperature."
There are theories such as:

Although it is called cold meat soba, it is unique in that it is served at room temperature, rather than adding ice to cool it down.

Therefore, it can be eaten in any season, even during the cold season.

The main ingredients of cold meat soba are chicken and green onions, and it is eaten by dipping it in a cold soup made from chicken bone stock.

The famous Imoni (potato stew) at the Imonikai

Another dish you can't miss is "imoni," made with soy sauce or miso-based soup, beef, and vegetables.

In Yamagata Prefecture, gatherings called Imoni-kai are held all over the place every year and have long been loved by locals.

Imoni is made from four main ingredients - taro, beef, green onions, and konjac - and the way it is eaten varies depending on the region, such as being seasoned with miso in the Shonai region.

Events such as the Imonikai Festival are also held here, so it might be a good idea to take this opportunity to visit Yamagata Prefecture.

Akayu Kara Miso Ramen with Spicy Miso as an Accent

Yamagata Prefecture is actually one of the leading ramen producing regions in Japan.

Among them, the "Akayu Kara Miso Ramen" has a long line every day, and the spicy miso topping in the middle of the ramen brings out an indescribable deliciousness.

The restaurant uses an original miso soup made from a blend of various miso from all over Japan, and the thick, flat noodles are satisfying and satisfying beyond words.

Even if you are a ramen connoisseur, you probably haven't tried anything similar until you try this Akayu Kara Miso Ramen.

That's how original it is, so if you're a ramen lover, why not go to Yamagata Prefecture just to try Akayu's miso ramen?

Hot and healthy ball konnyaku

Yamagata prefecture is famous for konnyaku.

The consumption of konnyaku in this area is the highest in Japan, and we recommend "tama konnyaku" made from this famous product.

The balls, 3 to 4 cm in diameter, are skewered and simmered in a soy sauce-based broth together with pieces of squid.

It tastes even better when you eat it with mustard or miso.
It is very easy to eat and is popular as a snack to go with alcohol.

Speaking of Yamagata fruit, it's cherries!

Although this is not a gourmet dish, cherries, a specialty of Yamagata Prefecture, are a must-try.

They are in season from early June to July, and for those who like firm fruit, the "Benishuho" variety is best.

Another famous variety is "Beni Sayaka," which is similar to a satisfying American cherry, and as Yamagata Prefecture is the top producer of cherries, there are many different types available.

If you go in the summer, you'll be able to enjoy cherries everywhere.
It's good to eat as is, but the sweets made with it are also delicious.

Senbon Dango: Irresistible chewy texture

"Senbon Dango" is a Japanese sweet that has long been loved by the people of Yamagata Prefecture.

The name is said to come from the fact that they made and sold a thousand dumplings at once, and they are made using "Haenuki," a brand of rice produced in Yamagata Prefecture, to give them a chewy texture.

It has a great texture and is an addictive snack, so be careful not to eat too many...!

Location of Yamagata Prefecture

summary

Today, I explained about Yamagata Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food.

Yamagata Prefecture is home to an array of delicious-looking gourmet foods that will make you hungry just reading this, and it's also fairly close to Tokyo, so why not check it out this coming weekend?

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