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When you think of Yamagata Station bento, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the "Beef Domanaka," which is now popular nationwide
This bento is made with prefecture-produced "Domannaka" rice and topped with a generous amount of beef!
Yamagata Prefecture is so beloved that beef is even used in the local dish, imoni, but it is also a rice-producing region that produces delicious rice such as "Koshihikari." Here we will introduce some of Yamagata's delicious ekiben
What is Ekiben?
From the official Shinkinya website
There is no specific definition, but if you think about it simply, I think it means ``lunch boxes sold at stations and eaten while boarding the train.''
Ekiben, enjoyed while enjoying the scenery outside the train window, tastes so delicious even when it's cold.
These days, a variety of bento boxes are sold not only inside stations but also around stations, but here we introduce the bento boxes that can be purchased at ekiben shops and kiosks inside stations as ``ekiben.''
Please note that the Ekiben prices listed are tax-inclusive prices as of December 2022.
Top 5 recommended station bentos in Yamagata Prefecture!
From Matsukawa Bento Shop's official website
Yamagata Prefecture, home to the nationally famous Yonezawa and Yamagata beef, has many ekiben that feature beef as their main ingredient, and all are popular for their unique flavors
At Yonezawa Station in particular, there are two companies that make bento boxes, and there are so many to choose from that it's hard to choose
Beef Domanaka (1,350 yen: Shinkinya)
From the official ekiben.or.jp website
This ekiben was released when the Yamagata Shinkansen line opened, and even those who aren't train fans will have heard of it
On top of fluffy, locally-produced "Domannaka" rice, it is topped with a generous amount of tenderly simmered beef and delicious minced beef dressed in a special sauce
The main flavor is soy sauce, but the salt and miso seasonings for the minced meat are also popular.You can also enjoy different flavors with the accompanying omelet, kamaboko, boiled small sweet potatoes, boiled carrots, and herring wrapped in kelp
Shinkiniya <Information>
Name: Shinkineya
Address: 3-1-1 Higashi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
A popular ekiben from Matsukawa Bento, which was sold in 1964 (Showa 39), has been revived
The traditional sukiyaki sauce used at the time has become even more delicious, and the simple flavors of local simmered dishes and pickles bring out the umami of the Yonezawa beef
Matsukawa Bento Shop <Information>
Name: Matsukawa Bento Shop (Station Front Store)
Address: 2-1-29 Ekimae, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
This ekiben features Yamagata beef, a brand beef on a par with Yonezawa beef, simmered in a traditional sauce that has been used since Moriben was founded, along with minced meat
The dish includes shredded egg, tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), simmered burdock, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms, and garlic sprouts as palate cleansers
Speaking of Yamagata's soul food, it's "imoni," a dish made in a large pot on the riverbank in autumn and enjoyed by a large group of people
Even within the Tohoku region, the seasoning and meat used vary depending on the region, but in Yamagata, the standard is soy sauce flavored with beef
However, they both have in common that the potato used is a taro, and this ekiben allows you to enjoy the flavor of the flavorful taro and Yamagata beef that has been simmered until tender in a special sauce
Moriben <Information>
Name: Moriben
Address: Mori Bento Club, 17-8 Saiwai-cho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Here are the stations in Yamagata where you can buy ekiben!
From Matsukawa Bento Shop's official website
Yamagata Prefecture's ekiben are sold at major stations on the Yamagata Shinkansen
At each station, you can purchase bento boxes from Shinkineya and Matsukawa Bento in Yonezawa City, and Moriben in Yamagata City, but the selection may be limited depending on the station, with Yonezawa Station said to have the largest selection
Yonezawa Station (Shop inside the station building, Ekiben shop on the outbound platform, Shinkinya direct sales store in front of the station)
From Shinkineya Bento Club Facebook
Most of the bentos from both Matsukawa Bento and Shinkinya are sold at the station's convenience store
Shinkineya has a direct sales store in front of the station, where you can also purchase products
Akayu Station (convenience store inside the station building)
From Yamagata Barrier-Free Map
You can purchase Shinkineya ekiben such as "Beef Domannaka" at NewDays in the waiting room inside the station building, but please note that the variety and number are limited
Yamagata Station (convenience store at the station, "Omiyage Dokoro Yamagata" inside the station)
From the official website of JR East Tohoku General Service
Ekiben are sold at NewDays in the Metropolitan Yamagata connecting corridor at S-Pal Yamagata, and at Omiyage Dokoro Yamagata, located near the waiting room
The main products are Moriben station bento from Yamagata City, but you can also purchase Yonezawa station bento
Shinjo Station (convenience store inside the station, adjacent Mogami Product Center)
From the official Shinjo City Tourism Information website in Yamagata Prefecture
In addition to selling bento boxes from Shinkineya and Matsukawa Bento at the NewDays inside the station, you can also pre-order the following original bento boxes at Mogami Bussankan, located next to the station
Yamagata Beef Sukiyaki Bento: Plenty of Yamagata beef seasoned with sukiyaki-style seasoning
Mogami Colorful Bento: A story of Tokyo: Packed with local ingredients and Shinjo-grown "Tsuyahime" rice
Mogami Product Center <Information>
Name: Mogami Product Center
Address: 1-2 Tamoncho, Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture
Toge no Chikara Mochi from Toge no Chaya is not an ekiben, but it is sold on the platform at Toge Station on the Ou Main Line, just like the ekiben of old
They are sold at the time when the local trains on the Ou Main Line stop at Toge Station, and a box of eight bean paste mochi costs 1,000 yen. The street vendors evoke the feeling of a good old-fashioned train journey, and it's a sight we want to preserve forever
When JR East stopped selling bento on trains in 2019, Shinjo Station, which had been transporting bento from Yamagata Station and Yonezawa Station, stopped selling bento. However, bento sales have now been revived, including local bento
With the development of the Shinkansen, the number of stations nationwide that sell ekiben is decreasing, but ekiben, which create the atmosphere of travel, are something that we would like to preserve for the future
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
