Shiga Prefecture is home to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, and is also home to some of the best Omi beef in the country.

Omi beef is considered a luxury item, but Shiga Prefecture has a variety of local B-class gourmet foods that use Omi beef, including noodles, bread, and desserts.

Today, I will explain about the local B-class gourmet food that can be eaten in Shiga Prefecture.

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

Shiga Prefecture is home to Lake Biwa, so fish is also recognized as a delicious gourmet food.

"But aren't the fish in the lake tasty?"

Some people say this, but these are probably people who have never tried fish from Shiga Prefecture.

Shiga prefecture itself has actively promoted the bounty of Lake Biwa throughout the country under the name "Lake Biwa's Eight Treasures," attracting many tourists.

In addition to meat and fish, Shiga Prefecture has many famous local dishes and soul foods, and is recognized as a gourmet spot in the Kansai region.

Shiga Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food

Omi beef bun

First up is the Omi beef bun.

Omi beef buns are meat buns made with Omi beef simmered in a slightly sweet sukiyaki-style sauce and plenty of domestically grown vegetables.

The soft dough is stuffed with an incredible amount of ingredients, making it a very satisfying and popular local B-grade gourmet treat.

Especially as we move into autumn and the weather gets chilly, eating Omi beef buns at this time of year is the best, satisfying both the stomach and the heart.

Boer Rice

"Boule Rice" is a local B-class gourmet food found in Hikone City, and looks like an omelet rice.

However, it also appears to be submerged in soup, and the sour sauce poured over the egg in the bool rice is a distinctive feature.

It is said that once you try it, you will become addicted to the sour taste and will want to eat it again and again.

Omi beef croquette

This is also a local B-class gourmet dish made with Omi beef, and can be found throughout Shiga Prefecture.

Omi beef croquettes can be eaten as a side dish, and are also recommended as a snack to try while walking around.

In the eastern parts of Shiga Prefecture, in Omihachiman and Hikone cities, there are many stores selling Omi beef croquettes, and they can also be purchased in tourist areas.

The crispy batter and juicy Omi beef create an indescribable sense of luxury.

Shijimi rice

Shijimi rice, which can be eaten in Otsu City, the prefectural capital of Shiga Prefecture, is a local B-class gourmet dish that is extremely popular among locals.

Enjoying it in kamameshi style gives it a fluffy, deep flavour.

Shijimi clams are commonly found in Lake Biwa, so dishes using them are commonly eaten locally.

There is a teahouse near Ishiyama-dera Temple in the south of Otsu City that serves clam rice, and it is popular with worshippers.

If you go to Ishiyama-dera Temple, be sure to visit this place.

Takashima Tonchan

"Takashima Tonchan" is a local B-class gourmet dish that can be eaten in Takashima City.

It has been popular since ancient times and is made with chicken seasoned with sauce. Although the word "tonchan" generally brings to mind pork offal, this dish uses chicken.

The seasoning varies depending on the region, such as soy sauce in the northern part of Takashima City and miso sauce in the southern part, so it may be fun to try different kinds of Takashima tonchan.

Salad bread

"Salad bread" is loved mainly in Hubei.

This bread roll with pickled takuan filling is manufactured and sold by Tsuraya Pan in Kinomoto, which was founded in 1951, and has long been a staple in the local area.

Its appearance is reminiscent of the Showa era, and the nostalgic taste is irresistible.

Try it as a 3 o'clock snack or light meal.

Adberry Sweets

You can't miss "Adberry Sweets," a local B-class gourmet food of Takashima City.

Azumigawa in Takashima City, which cultivates boysenberries, a rare fruit in Japan, has named it "Adoberry" as a brand specialty.

This fruit has a raspberry-like sourness and a luxurious aroma.

In addition to fruit, they also offer a variety of other sweets such as roll cakes, and because of their extremely limited production, they are also known as the "phantom fruit."

The harvest season is generally from mid-June to early July, so be sure to visit next year.

Thread cutting rice cake

"Itokirimochi" is a Japanese sweet from Taga Town.

Thin mochi is wrapped around red bean paste and then cut into small pieces to make it easier to eat.

It seems that the name "Itokirimochi" comes from the fact that it is cut with a string, rather than the usual knife.

It is sold at a long-established store on the pilgrimage route to Taga Taisha Shrine.

Location of Shiga Prefecture

summary

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

It is easily accessible from both the Kinki and Chubu regions and is close to Kyoto, so if you're visiting Shiga Prefecture or the Kansai region in general, be sure to stop by and try the local cuisine here.

There are plenty of facilities along Lake Biwa where you can relax on vacation.

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