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What is "Shingoro," a local dish from Aizu, Fukushima? Learn about the origin of the name and its appeal!

Have you heard of "Shingoro," a local dish that is popular in some areas of Fukushima Prefecture

With such an unusual name, many people may not be able to imagine what kind of food it is. In this article, we will introduce the origin of the name Shingoro and how to make it

Who is Shingoro?

Shingoro is a local dish that has been passed down mainly in the Minamiaizu region, such as Shimogo Town in Fukushima Prefecture, and made by mashing rice and baking it with "Junen Miso ." It may be similar to Akita's Kiritanpo.

Junen miso is a sweet and salty miso made by grinding perilla seeds with miso paste, sugar, mirin, sake, etc., and then mixing them thoroughly, while shingoro is made by slowly roasting it over a hearth fire, just like kiritanpo or grilled fish. When grilled over charcoal, it has a crispy outside and is characterized by the fragrant aroma of slightly burnt miso.

The name "Junen" comes from the fact that perilla seeds can last for ten years if stored in a jar, and that eating them will add ten years to your life

In Shimogo Town, people make shingoro after the autumn harvest to give thanks to the gods for a good harvest

Why is it called Shingoro? Explaining the origin

The most likely theory is that the unusual name "Shingoro" comes from the name of the person who created the dish

In the past, when glutinous rice was hard to come by and there were no rice cakes to offer to the gods during the New Year, Shingoro created an alternative dish by mashing non-glutinous rice and broken rice and baking it with 10-year-old miso

Shingoro's cooking became so popular that it became known as "Shingoro."

Make it at home! Shingoro's recipe

Shingoro was originally enjoyed by skewering it and roasting it over a hearth. Nowadays, few homes have hearths, but it can easily be made in a frying pan

This time, I will introduce a recipe for making shingoro using a mortar and pestle and a frying pan

Ingredients (serves 4, 15-20 pieces)

  • 4 cups rice
  • 1 cup perilla seeds
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup miso
  • 3 tablespoons of sake

How to make it

  1. Cook the rice a little firm
  2. Dry roast the perilla seeds in a frying pan and then crush them in a mortar and pestle
  3. Add sugar, miso, and sake and simmer until glossy
  4. Pound about half of the cooked rice with a rolling pin, roll it into balls, and let it cool
  5. 4. Spread 20-year-old miso on top and bake until lightly browned

Introducing restaurants where you can eat Shingoro

After learning how to make Shingoro, many people may feel that they would like to try it but find it a bit of a hassle. For those people, we would like to introduce two recommended restaurants

Please be sure to stop by when you are on a business trip or sightseeing

Aizu local cuisine Raku

Aizu Local Cuisine Raku offers a wide variety of traditional Aizu dishes. Recommended dishes include shingoro, kozuyu, a standard hospitality dish, and horse meat

It's conveniently located just a 7-minute walk from JR Fukushima Station, so it's a great place to drop in

Aizu Local Cuisine Raku ＜Information＞

  • Name: Aizu Local Cuisine Raku
  • Address: 1F Palace Building, 8-36 Okitama-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 024-523-5124
  • URL: Aizu Local Cuisine Raku Official Website
  • Business hours: Monday to Saturday 17:00 to 24:00
  • Closed: Sundays

Google Map

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Sanno Chaya

Sanno Chaya, which has been repurposed from an old house, offers local ingredients in a nostalgic atmosphere. Shingoro is slowly baked over an open hearth and is reasonably priced at 150 yen (tax included) each

The Oku-Aizu Museum is nearby, where you can learn about the lifestyle and culture of the local people. Just strolling around the area will allow you to experience with all five senses the charm of nature that you cannot experience in urban areas

Please note that the museum is closed for the winter from November 12th to March 31st

Sanno Chaya ＜Information＞

  • Name: Sanno Chaya
  • Address: 3692-20 Nishizawayama, Minamiaizu-machi, Minamiaizu-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0241-66-3888
  • URL: Sanno Chaya official website
  • Business hours: Holidays 10:30-16:00
  • Closed: In principle, closed on weekdays, closed for winter from November 12th to March 31st

Google Map

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Try Fukushima's local cuisine at Shingoro

This time we introduced "Shingoro," a local dish from the Minami Aizu region. Shingoro is an addictive dish with the fragrant aroma of miso

The sweet and salty taste and chewy rice will make you feel nostalgic. You can buy perilla seeds and enjoy them to your liking, or try them when you visit Minamiaizu

Please come and experience the traditional taste

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