Nagano, Japan is where the winter Olympic was held in 1998. There is no ocean, although they have a unique foods using local ingredients! Let’s discover local food from Nagano!
Shinshu Soba (Noodle)
Soba (noodle) is made by buckwheat. In Japan, people used to eat buckwheat as Sobagaki (not noodle, more like short pasta) in whole Japan, but they didn’t make it as noodle before.
Shinshu is told that it is the origin of Soba “noodle” (* there are other theories). No one knows when exactly people started eating Soba noodle though, according to some old documents, Soba noodle was already eaten in 1574 in Nagano where is good place to grow buckwheat more than rice.
Sarashina Soba
In Shinshu Soba, Sarashina Soba is famous. The feature of Sarashina Soba is its color which is white. The reason why it gets white is because they use a very center part of buckwheat. Its smell is weak, less gluten, more starch.
You can eat it in Tokyo though, it is nice to eat there in Nagano 😉
Sanzoku Yaki
Sanzoku Yaki is Nagano style fried chicken which they marinate chicken with sauce, ginger, and garlic. Then cover it with potato starch, and fry it.
Sanzoku = Bandit
Yaki = Grill
It was made in a restaurant named “Sanzoku” that’s why it is called Sanzoku Yaki. The sauce is perfect balance and you will never forget!
Nozawana Pickle
Nozawana is a traditional local Nagano green veggies which was started harvesting in 18 century in Nozawa area, Nagano.
We cook Nozawana in many ways, although it’s pretty famous to eat pickled Nozawana in Nagano. I didn’t like it when i was a kid due to bitterness, although now i like it especially when i eat something greasy to refresh! It is also a great match with Sake 😉
Oyaki
Oyaki is a kind of dumpling made by fermented buckwheat dough stuffed with vegetables or red beans. Usually steamed or grilled.
Depends on stuffing, y0o can enjoy many kinds of Oyaki and also it can be a meal and snack.
Gohei Mochi
Gohei Mochi is from Shinshu, Nagano. They squish rice, put it on a stick, and grill it. And then put some miso with walnuts, sesames, and Yuzu citrus.
It might be difficult to imagine how it tastes like, although it is sweet with a bit refreshment with Yuzu citrus. Mochi itself is not as sticky or chewy as normal Mochi like Dango, and easy to bite! I personally really like it!
Ringo (Apple)
Nagano is also famous for apple. It’s the second place in apple harvest in Japan.
They also have their original kinds of apples, Akibae (a pic above), Shinano Sweet, and Shinano Gold. Its sweetness is 14-15%! You can find some products made by/from apple there 🍎
I have noticed that most of them above is not often seen in Tokyo area, unless you go to Nagano food restaurant specifically. And i am pretty sure that it must be fresher and better if you eat it in Nagano. Don’t miss out what you want to eat in Nagano while you are there 😉
I would definitely eat Soba noodle with Tempura including Nozawana, plus an Oyaki and an apple juice for my snack🍹🍎
