Komagane City in Nagano Prefecture overlooks two alps to the east and west. This town is dotted with unique glacial landforms and scenic spots, but have you heard of the popular "Komagane Sauce Katsudon"? When you hear "katsudon," you generally think of a bowl of rice topped with tonkatsu and egg, but in Komagane, katsudon with sauce is the norm. In this article, we will explain the appeal of Komagane's specialty sauce katsudon.

Characteristics of Komagane Sauce Katsudon

Komagane Sauce Katsudon is made by topping hot rice with shredded cabbage and a crispy cutlet, and is characterized by a large cutlet dipped in the shop's special sauce. Unlike ordinary katsudon, you can enjoy the combination of the textured cabbage, the sweet and spicy sauce-flavored cutlet, and the piping hot rice.

In 1993, a group of restaurant volunteers formed the "Komagane Sauce Katsudon Association," which has established several regulations for establishments that serve sauce katsudon.

<Komagane Sauce Katsudon Regulations for Customers>

• The serving dish should be limited to a bowl.

• Sauce katsudon is based on pork loin, with 120g or more

• The cutlet must be breaded and deep fried.

• Cut the cabbage into small pieces, soak it in water, drain it, and place it on top of the rice in the bowl.

• You can use any oil to fry the katsu, but you must remove any fried debris and do not fry in dirty oil.

• The sauce used should be based on the one made by the Sauce Katsudon Club as a minimum standard, and it is recommended that any improvements be made to this standard.

• When deep-frying the katsu and dipping it in the sauce, the sauce should also be warmed up, and you can either dip the freshly fried katsu directly into the sauce, cut it up and place it on top of the rice, or cut it up, dip it in the sauce and then place it on top of the rice.

• Seaweed should not be put on sauce katsudon. Also, no vegetables other than cabbage should be put on it.

• The lid is optional.

Quoted from the Komagane Sauce Katsudon official website

In this way, in order to deliver a delicious Komagane Sauce Katsudon, careful attention has been paid to the cooking process and presentation.

The origin and history of Komagane Sauce Katsudon

Looking back into history, it seems that Komagane Sauce Katsudon has been served in Komagane since the early Showa period. Its roots can be found in a coffee shop that opened in 1928.

At that time, Western cuisine such as curry, cutlets, and omelets were just starting to become popular among the public. The owner of a coffee shop, who was originally a gourmet, was inspired by the Western cuisine of katsu rice and started serving "sauce katsudon" by pouring his own sauce over freshly fried katsu and focusing on the perfect combination with cabbage. It quickly became popular and the culture of "katsudon means sauce katsudon" gradually took root in Komagane City.

Several decades later, when the trend of revitalizing towns began to emerge all over the country, Komagane also saw a growing movement to promote local specialties, and the sauce katsudon that had been eaten since ancient times was made into a popular local specialty. Currently, it can be eaten at over 30 establishments in the city, including restaurants, cafeterias, ramen shops, and izakayas.

The deliciousness and appeal of Komagane Sauce Katsudon

The "Komagane Sauce Katsudon" is a delicious dish with crispy pork cutlets and sweet and spicy sauce that you will want to keep eating. The cut of meat, the thickness of the cutlet, and the flavor of the sauce vary depending on the restaurant. The standard is loin, but some restaurants use tender fillet meat.

The sauces are all original blends made in the store, ranging from rich and sweet to smooth and full-bodied.

At first glance, the sauce katsudon looks like it has a lot of volume, but the refreshing shredded cabbage and the sweet and spicy, fruity and sour sauce are well-balanced with the juicy katsu, so you'll find yourself eating it in no time. Some restaurants also offer menu items such as "Premium Sauce Katsudon" which has more meat than usual, which shows its popularity.

Additionally, mustard is often available on the table, which adds a tangy, spicy accent to the sweet sauce, allowing you to enjoy a change in flavor.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Komagane City

From here, we will introduce some recommended sightseeing spots in Komagane City. Komagane City is surrounded by 3000m-class mountains, and leisure activities that make use of the magnificent nature are popular.

Komagane Plateau: a treasure trove of scenic spots

First, we'll introduce the Komagane Plateau. This is the largest plateau in the Ina Basin, located at an altitude of about 800m. You can enjoy unique scenery that can only be seen here, such as the glacial formations of Senjojiki Cirque and Komagaike Pond, and if you take the Komagadake Ropeway, you may encounter animals such as chamois and squirrels that live in the Central Alps. You can also purchase Minami Shinshu beer, Komagane's specialty Suzuran Milk, and fresh local agricultural products at Komagane Farms, located next to the bus stop.

Hayataro Onsenkyo: Enjoy three day-trip hot springs

Hayataro Onsen, located at the foot of the Central Alps, is also known as the "beautiful skin bath" and is characterized by its colorless, transparent water that feels soft on the skin. There are many tourist spots in the area, such as Kozenji Temple and ski resorts, and it is popular with hikers and locals alike. Hayataro Onsen has three day-trip hot springs, each with its own unique character. At Komayuki-so, you can see the Southern Alps from the bathtub windows, and at Komakusa-no-Yu, you can enjoy a large indoor bath, medicinal bath, jet bath, and open-air bath, with a spectacular view of the Central Alps and pine forest. At Open-air Kobushi-no-Yu, you can enjoy a relaxing time in the open-air bath with a wide wooden deck and the latest barrel sauna.

Access to Komagane City

From here, we will introduce how to get to Komagane City. If you are coming from Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, it is convenient to travel by express bus.

At the Keio Expressway Bus Reservation Center at the Shinjuku West Exit, you can purchase a through ticket to Senjojiki Cirque. The ticket also includes a ticket to a day spa in Komagane Kogen and a discount coupon for souvenirs, so you can enjoy your trip to Komagane at a great price.

If you take the express bus, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Shinjuku to Komagane without transfers. From Nagoya, it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes via the Chuo Expressway, and from Osaka, it takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes via the Meishin Expressway and the Chuo Expressway.

Location of Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced "Komagane Sauce Katsudon," a specialty of Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. It is a dish that perfectly matches the hearty katsu with the flavorful sauce. Please enjoy the combination of the refreshing cabbage and rice soaked in the sauce.

\ We are looking for Tempo Star affiliates! /