Miyazaki – in Kyushu, Japan has unique foods that is made from/by good quality of local ingredients! They have chicken dishes using great local chicken, brand beef: Miyazaki Gyu, and Miyazaki Mango which is one of best mangos in Japan!
Let’s find Miyazaki Food that you should try in Miyazaki!
*NOTED*
- this article includes pictures of meat and raw meat. Just noted in case of you don’t like it
- this article includes advertisement by Google AdSense
Jitokko / Jidori (Chicken)
Jitokko means same as Jidori which is local bird (chicken in this case) = local chicken from Miyazaki.
As they have a great quality of chicken, there are a lot of original chicken dishes there! Here are some well known foods!
Tori Sashi
Tori Sashi is Tori Sashimi which is eating chicken as raw.
I know some of you might think it is weird to eat raw Chicken, but it’s pretty normal in Japan. It doesn’t stink because it is fresh (of course it needs to be very fresh for sashimi).
It might be not safe if you get problems on your stomach easily.
Sumibiyaki
This is also typical Miyazaki food, and it is well known all over Japan since you can find it easily at Izakaya (Japanese bar/restaurant).
You might think why this looks burnt out, but that is not “burnt”, it is charcoal.
Sumi = Charcoal
Bi = Fire
*it is “Hi” normally, but we change a pronunciation depends on word after/before it
Yaki = Grill/cook
They put salt and pepper on chicken, and grill it with charcoal fire on high heat as it gets fire on chicken.
The more you chew, the more you can enjoy “Umami” better!!
Chicken Namban
Chicken Namban is invented in Nabeoka City, Miyazaki.
There are 2 theories who was the first person who made it. One is a guy named Nao Goto at restaurant Nao chan, the another one is Yoshimitsu Kai at restaurant London.
They fry chicken breast (originally) after covering it with flour, and dip in raw egg. Then put them in a sweetened vinegar. At London, they put tartar sauce on top, but they don’t do that at Nao chan.
I assume many people would expect that tartar sauce on fried chicken seasoned sweetened vinegar when they think about Chichen Namban.
Miyazaki Gyu (Beef)
Miyazaki Gyu or Miyazaki Ushi is a brand beef from Miyazaki, which won the first place at Wagyu (Japanese Beef) Olympic award for twice, 2007 and 2012.
There are strict conditions to get authorized as Miyazaki Gyu, such as it needs to be born and raised in Miyazaki, ranked A4 or A5, be a cow with black hair.
It is marbled beautifully, it is tender after grilling, and it tastes amazing!!!! Highly recommend you to try them if you can splurge a bit for food!
Hiyajiru
This is one of my favorite summer food. Hiyajiru literally means cold soup.
Hiya = cold (adjective)
Jiru = soup
They put rice, cucumber, tofu in a cold soup made by white sesame paste and miso. In addition, they put green onion, Shiso(Japanese Herb), Myoga(Japanese ginger) on top. It is perfect for summer, especially when you don’t have much appetite. You cannot really find this dish in Tokyo beside Miyazaki cuisine restaurant.
Nikumaki Onigiri
Nikumaki Onigiri is one of casual foods from Miyazaki City, Miyazaki.
Niku = Meat
Maki = Roll
Onigiri = Rice ball
Literally, a rice ball rolled & covered with meat(pork), grill it, and toss it well with sauce. The sauce is made by soy sauce, sugar, sake and mirin.
It is eaten for night snack after drinking alcohol, easy meals for picnic, and so on.
Mango
Miyazaki mango is one of the best mango in Japan, in my opinion. Also it is known for its sweetness and expensiveness. It might cost 3,000 yen (around 30 bucks) if you buy it in Tokyo.
Thanks to my father’s friend, I have an opportunity to eat it in every summer from Miyazaki because he send it to us as Ochugen (summer gift), and I love it! I didn’t like mangos before, but once i taste a mango from Miyazaki, it blew my mind!
I encourage you to try if you’d like in Miyazaki.
Hyuganatsu
Hyuganatsu is one of citrus fruits from Miyazaki, which is good balanced with sourness and sweetness. Very refreshing.
You can find some Hyuganatsu food like Hyuganatsu jelly, Hyuganatsu soft served ice cream and etc. there. If you like oranges and grapefruits, you will like it I suppose.
Miyazaki might not come up on a list of destination in Japan, although there are amazing foods using great products. Hope you try them if you have any chance to visit there 😉
