Local ingredients! You can enjoy the unique taste of Aomori! Introducing Aomori's ekiben [Tsugaru Konkon Bento] and [Flounder Zuke Donburi].
- Aomori
- Eating
Bento that can only be enjoyed in Aomori Prefecture
Local specialties, meats, vegetables, seafood, etc., are all attractive to different people, aren't they?
Many people may also choose a bento that suits their mood at the time, such as a bento that matches the season.
In this issue, the staff of JR East Travel Service Center Aomori will introduce some bento available at Hirosaki Station and Ajikazawa Station (and surrounding areas)!
First, we will look for a bento at Hirosaki station...
Looking at the bento packages, some of them had the logo "Tsugaru-ben" (Tsugaru dialect) on them.
When I asked the clerk what this meant, he told me that it was a combination of "Tsugaru bento," the local flavor, and "Tsugaru-ben," the dialect of Tsugaru.
It is a wonderful way to promote the local area with an idea that will catch the attention of customers.
By the way, the condition to be certified as "Tsugaru-ben" is that the bento must contain ingredients from Tsugaru.
Tsugaru Konkon Lunchbox" offers a taste of Tsugaru's local cuisine.
On the package, there is a picture of a fox as well as the logo mark certified as "Tsugaru-ben".
What does the product name "konkon" and the picture of a fox have to do with each other? Let's take a look at the contents together♪
Inarizushi is a food offered to the Inari Shrine, which is blessed with a good harvest. The animal that is considered to be the messenger of the Inari God is the fox.
It seems that the fox on the package was related to the inarizushi!
In general, inari-zushi is a dish of sweet and spicy fried bean curd stuffed with vinegared rice and okowa (a type of boiled rice).
The reason for this is that red ginger is chopped and mixed into the rice. The seasoning is sweet because it is made with a lot of coarse rice.
The sweet rice is mixed with the salty taste of the red pickled ginger, and the sweetness is irresistible!
There are also ume rice balls and "wakaoi" onigiri (young rice balls).
Wakaoi Onigiri" is a unique Aomori rice ball made of first-year kelp with soft and thin fibers, wrapped in freshly cooked warm rice.
It is a local dish mainly from the coastal region of Tsugaru in Aomori Prefecture, and has been made by fishermen when they go out to sea or when they go to work in the mountains. It is also known as a favorite dish of Osamu Dazai, a great writer from Aomori Prefecture.
Wrapped in warm rice, it is rich with the tidal aroma and flavor of kelp, making it simple but addictive.
Other dishes in this bento include "carrot with carrots", which is made by frying and boiling cod roe and carrots, so you can enjoy Tsugaru's local cuisine to the fullest.
Incidentally, this bento also includes "Nishin-no sweetened and simmered herring" which is soaked in soup stock, because "Menbou Takeya" which makes this bento is a buckwheat noodle shop.
The word "kon-kon" in "Tsugaru kon-kon bento" means not only "kon" of "fox" but also "kon" of "young konbu!
How about enjoying the taste of Tsugaru with "Tsugaru Konkon Bento" which has a lot of volume?
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Location
In front of the central ticket gate of JR Hirosaki Station, 1-1 Omote-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori
Access
Approximately 40 minutes from Shin-Aomori Station by regular train
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
Next, we will look for a bento at Ajigasawa station.
Ajigasawa's local delicacy, "Flounder Zuke-don".
Ajigasawa Flounder is grown in the clear water of Shirakami Mountains and the rough waves of the Sea of Japan, and it is a representative fish of Ajigasawa town.
Ajigasawa Flounder Zuke-don" is a bowl of rice topped with a generous portion of fresh Ajigasawa Flounder marinated in sauce. The seasoning and arrangement of the bowl differs from restaurant to restaurant, so you can enjoy a variety of bowls!
Ajigasawa Town's official "Hirame no Zuke-don" can be identified by the light blue streamers on the storefronts. You can find your favorite bowl of rice while strolling in the town by the sea.
In such a case, you will be glad to know that "Super Tobishima" is located on the 1st floor of shopping center "Pal" in front of Ajigasawa station.
Here, you can take home "Zuke-don (flatfish bowl)". Of course, this bowl is officially approved by Ajigasawa town.
Moreover, you can get it by contacting them in advance by 17:00 the day before! If you contact them in advance by 17:00 the day before, they will deliver it to the platform of Ajigasawa station.
How about the soul food of Ajigasawa people?
Freshly fried and hot! Chicken Bo" is famous as a local delicacy of Ajigasawa.
This time, we will go to "Takoyaki-Nishiyaki (Takoyaki West)", which is said to be the best place to eat Chicken Bo! This time, I bought it at "Takoyaki Saikai," which is said to be the place to go when it comes to Ajigasawa chicken balls!
It is located only a minute's walk away from the shopping center Pal, where the "Hirame no Zuke-don" (flatfish zuke donburi) I mentioned earlier is sold.
They fry the chicken to order, so it is freshly made and hot!
The freshly fried chicken and the mayonnaise flavor are a perfect match, making it even more appetizing!
Juicy inside and crispy outside! I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it because it was so big. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but I was able to eat it easily.
The flatfish is cut into bite-size pieces and marinated in a sweet sauce, and the rice is filled with it! The rice is so thick that you can hardly see it.
The sweetness of the sauce and the texture of the flounder go well with the rice, making the chopsticks go faster and faster.
Even those who do not like fish can easily enjoy this dish.
And with the freshly fried "Chicken Bo", I was satisfied both mentally and physically.
After a hearty meal, a leisurely stroll along the seaside is also a good idea.
You will surely feel the taste of Aomori!
You can enjoy them on the train or in the park while sightseeing and experiencing Aomori's scenery and hometown, or you can eat them on your way back to your home.
Both of these bento boxes can only be enjoyed in Aomori Prefecture, and can be enjoyed only in Aomori. Please visit Aomori and try them for yourself!
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Location
Inside Shopping Center Pal, 149-2 Aza Kamitonda, Oaza Maidomachi, Ajigasawa-cho, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori-ken
Access
About 1 min. walk from JR Ajigasawa Station
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
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Location
29-115, Aza-Shimotonda, Oaza-Maito-cho, Ajikazawa-machi, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori-ken
Access
About 1 min. walk from JR Ajigasawa Station
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
Let's combine your favorite train and lodging to save money!
