The representative of Akita's local gourmet food! Yokote Yakisoba Festival

  • Akita
  • Eating
It has been nearly 20 years since the genre of "Gotochi Yakisoba" was established. What comes to mind when you think of "Gotochi Yakisoba"? Yokote City, located in the southeastern part of Akita Prefecture, is famous for Yokote yakisoba, one of the three most famous yakisoba in Japan. The reason why it has become loved not only by locals but also by tourists from outside the prefecture is that it won the Gold Grand Prix at one of the largest town revitalization events in Japan. Yokote Yakisoba, which is easy to eat and well-loved, has attracted nationwide attention, and the "Yokote Yakisoba Festival" has been held since 2023. We will introduce the characteristics of Yokote Yakisoba and the Yokote Yakisoba Festival, which is gaining momentum.

What makes it different from others? Characteristics of Yokote Yakisoba

Yokote Yakisoba is characterized by the use of thick, straight, boiled noodles made locally. The noodles are topped with a fried egg, which is usually half-boiled and served with fukujinzuke (pickles). The sauce used is Worcestershire sauce to which each restaurant adds its own original dashi (soup stock), which gives the dish a soft and mild flavor with a low level of spiciness. Ingredients are generally cabbage and minced pork. Some stores add different toppings, such as motsu (pork guts)!
Straight, thick noodles and a tender, half-boiled fried egg make a perfect match!
Yokote yakisoba topped with motsu (dried young sardines)!

Attractions of Yokote Yakisoba Festival

Purpose of the event

The "Yokote Yakisoba Four Heavenly Kings Tournament" was first held in 2007 to raise the level of "taste," "restaurant environment," and "customer service" at each Yokote Yakisoba restaurant. The 10 stores (8 stores in the latter half of the event) that were successfully selected were invited to compete in the main "Yokote Yakisoba Four Heavenly Kings Championship" at Akita Furusato Village.
That year's "Four Heavenly Kings" were decided by visitors' disposable chopstick votes. This event has been held until 2022.
The "Yokote Yakisoba Festival" was first held in 2023 as a new project for the future of Yokote Yakisoba, following the recognition of Yokote Yakisoba as a 100-year food by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as a menu item to be passed down for 100 years.
A scene from last year's festival.

The battle to determine the Four Heavenly Kings and thoughts for the future

The "Yokote Yakisoba Shitenno Kessen" is a competition to raise the level of Yokote Yakisoba to a certain level, and to encourage customers, both within and outside the city, to "take this opportunity to try it" and "be glad they went! The "Yokote Yakisoba Festival" has been held 14 times, aiming to improve the level of each restaurant and to make customers "glad they went" regardless of whether they are in or out of the city. The "Yokote Yakisoba Festival" was started as a new event where people can enjoy yakisoba with their families and friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
This year, there will be 5 restaurants, and visitors will be able to compare Yokote Yakisoba from each restaurant and Yokote Yakisoba arranged recipes selected from the public.

The festival will be held again in 2025!

Date: September 27 (Sat.) and 28 (Sun.), 2025
Time: 10:00~15:00
Location: Akita Furusato Village Festival Square
On the day of the festival, there will be a kitchen car, a hands-on experience of making Yokote Yakisoba, limited sales of Yokote Yakisoba arranged recipes, a YOSAKOI performance on a special stage, and a local hero show of Yokote City!
Making yakisoba by hand
Mochi (rice cakes) and sweets scattering
Yokote yakisoba, which has become nationally known as a result of the B-1 Grand Prix, has its own unique flavor and was made popular by the local people. We hope you will visit the area and try it for yourself!
Yokote City Tourism Association website is here:

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