[Yamagata Prefecture] What is “Mogami River Senbon Dango”? Exquisite Japanese sweets with a one-day expiration date

Do you know Mogami River Senbon Dango, a dumpling that many people from inside and outside of Yamagata Prefecture visit every day and line up to buy?
This time, we actually visited the store to find out the reason for its popularity.

What is Mogami River Senbon Dango?

Mogami River Senbon Dango is a dango shop located in Oishida-cho, Yamagata Prefecture, a town located in the middle reaches of the Mogami River.

Originally it was a tofu shop in town, but when they started selling dumplings, they were very popular.
When it first went on sale, it was popular under the name "Oishida Dango," but the name was changed to the current "Mogamikawa Senbon Dango" to commemorate the sale of 1,000 dango in one day at a department store event.

Mogami River Senbon Dango is a famous shop in Yamagata that has been featured in many media outlets as a very popular local Japanese sweets.
In April 2022, it was featured on Nippon TV's ``Secret Kenmin SHOW Kiwami'' and became famous nationwide, and is currently attracting even more attention.

Introducing the charm of Mogami River Senbon Dango

I would like to introduce three of the charms that I discovered after actually eating Mogami River Senbon Dango.

Plenty of red bean paste!

The first thing that surprises me is the amount of red bean paste spread on the dango. It comes with so much red bean paste that it's probably twice as much as other restaurants.

You can't help but want to take a photo! Photogenic cuteness

Mogami River Senbon Dango sells many seasonal menus that combine fruits and cream.
It looks just like a cake, and just looking at it is exciting!
One of the charms of this bun is that it looks great on social media, which is rare for a bun.

Original deliciousness of dango made with locally sourced ingredients

Mogami River Senbon Dango's dango has a strong flavor in itself.
The rice used for the dango is harvested locally in Oishida and is delicious even when eaten with rice.

Just before the store opens, the aroma of steaming rice fills the air, making you want to try just the rice!

Perhaps the secret to its popularity is the delicious taste that comes from using only rice grown in Oishida, a region rich in nature.

The expiry date is only one day, which is proof that it is additive-free.

In the Mogami River Senbon Dango pamphlet, there is a warning that ``It will harden quickly, so please eat it as soon as possible.'' As these words suggest, Mogami River Senbon Dango has a shelf life of only one day.

The reason why the dumplings harden so quickly is because the makers do not use any additives such as sugar or enzymes, and adjust the firmness every day while considering the temperature of the day. It's because we stick to our meticulous methods of making that we are able to create a chewy, exquisite texture that you can't find anywhere else.

Recommended menu “Zundango”

At Mogami River Senbon Dango, we always have a wide variety of dango on sale, from standard menu items to seasonal items.
The menu available all year round is as follows.

• Zundango
• soy sauce dango
• Sesame dumplings
• Anko dango
• Walnut dango
• Nut dango

In addition, the limited menu varies depending on the time of year you visit. No matter when you go, you'll be able to discover new seasonal menu items, so you'll be able to expand your dango possibilities.

Among them, my recommendation is the ``Zundan Dango'' made with Dadacha beans from Yamagata Prefecture.

“Zundan” is a paste made by grinding edamame. The chewy dumplings are generously smeared with zundan, which is mildly sweet and allows you to enjoy the natural flavor of the beans and the crunchy texture.

In addition, the seasonal ``Mascarpone Strawberry'' is also a superb item.

The red bean paste alone is delicious, but the addition of creamy mascarpone cheese and sweet and sour strawberries on top creates a perfect harmony. This one also holds a surprising amount of red bean paste, so it feels so heavy that it is difficult to lift it. (It also comes with a spoon, so you can eat with confidence without having to lift it.)

Eat-in is at Zashikigura.

The appeal of Mogami River Senbon Dango is not just the delicious dango. You can take the purchased dango home with you, but you can also eat them at the zashikigura attached to the store.

This storehouse was once used when Mogami River Senbon Dango was the headman.

The inside of the brewery is spacious and well-ventilated, and the seats are well partitioned with acrylic panels, so you can enjoy your dango with peace of mind.

I also used the storehouse to eat dango, and there was always a pleasant breeze flowing through the storehouse, making it a pleasant experience. The traditional space with tatami flooring gives you a sense of security, as if you were relaxing in your grandmother's house in the countryside.

summary

Mogami River Senbon Dango is not only cute, but also has a lot of attention to detail.It is a restaurant where you are sure to find the most delicious dango on the day you visit, because they take the process of making the dango seriously and the taste is authentic, without any pretense.

Please come to Yamagata and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime deliciousness.

INFORMATION

• Name: Mogamikawa Senbon Dango Co., Ltd.
• Address: 76 Oishida Otsu, Oishida-cho, Kitamurayama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0237-35-2312
• URL: Mogami River Senbon Dango

GOOGLE MAP

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This is the sign for the outdoor toilet at Mogami River Senbon Dango, but if you look closely, you'll see that he's holding a dango in his hand!

When you go to the store, be sure to check out the restroom as well.