local cuisine

What is "Shingoro" a local dish from Fukushima Aizu? Introducing the origin and charm of the name!

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

Due to the unusual name, many people may not be able to imagine what kind of food it is. This time we will introduce the origin of the name Shingoro and how to make it.

What is Shingorō?

Shingoro is a local dish that has been passed down mainly in the Minamiaizu region, such as Shimogo Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and is made by smashing crushed rice with "junenmiso" and grilling it . The image may be similar to Akita's Kiritanpo.

Junon Miso is a sweet and salty miso made by adding miso, sugar, mirin, sake, etc. to ground mashed mackerel, and mixing it thoroughly. Apples are made by slowly grilling it over the fire in the hearth, like kiritanpo or grilled fish. When grilled over charcoal, the outside has a crispy texture, and the slightly burnt miso is characterized by its fragrant flavor.

The name "juunen" also comes from the fact that if you store persimmon in a jar, it lasts for ten years, and if you eat it, it will live for ten years.

It is said that people in Shimogo Town made shingorō at the end of the autumn harvest to thank the gods for a bountiful harvest.

Why do you call me Shingorō? Explaining the origin

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

In the past, when sticky rice was not available and there was no mochi to offer to the gods on New Year's Day, Mr. Shingoro created an alternative dish by crushing non-glutinous rice or kuzu rice and grilling it with juunen miso.

Mr. Shingoro's cuisine gained a reputation for being very delicious, and the name ``Shingoro'' became popular.

Let's make it at home! Shingoro recipe

Shingorō was originally enjoyed by skewering it and grilling it in the hearth. Nowadays, few homes have an irori hearth, but you can easily make it using a frying pan.

This time, I will introduce a recipe for Shingorō that you can make using a mortar and a frying pan.

Ingredients (for 4 people, 15-20 pieces)

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

How to make

  1. Cook the rice until slightly firm.
  2. Dry roast the sesame seeds in a frying pan, then grind them in a mortar.
  3. Add sugar, miso, and sake until it becomes shiny.
  4. Put about half of the cooked rice through a pestle, roll it up and let it cool.
  5. Spread Junen Miso on Step 4 and bake until lightly browned.

Introducing restaurants where you can eat Shingoro

After learning how to make Shingorō, there may be many people who want to try it, but find it a little troublesome. Here are two recommended shops for those people.

Please 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 dishes from the Aizu region. Recommended dishes include shingoro, ``kozuyu'' which is a staple of hospitality cuisine, and horse meat.

It's in a great location, a 7-minute walk from JR Fukushima Station, so it's a good idea to stop by.

Aizu Local Cuisine Raku <Information>

  • Name: Aizu local cuisine Raku
  • Location: 1F Palace Building, 8-36 Okitamacho, 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: Sunday

Google Map

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Sanno Chaya

At Sanno Chaya, which is a repurposed old folk house, you can enjoy local ingredients in a nostalgic space. Shingoro is slowly baked in an irori hearth and is reasonably priced at 150 yen (tax included) each.

There is also the Okuaizu Museum nearby, where you can learn about the lifestyle and culture of the local people. Just by taking a walk around the area, you can experience the charm of nature with all five senses that you cannot experience in the city.

Please note that we are closed for winter from November 12th to March 31st.

Sanno Chaya <Information>

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

Google Map

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Taste the local cuisine of Fukushima Prefecture at Shingorō

This time, we introduced Shingoro, a local dish from the Minamiaizu region. Shingorō is an addictive dish with the aroma of miso.

The sweet and salty taste and plump rice give you a nostalgic feeling. You can buy perilla and enjoy it by making it to your own taste, or you can try it when you go to Minami Aizu.

Please come and experience the traditional taste.

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