Miyagi Prefecture

What is the new specialty "Hoyatamago"? Introducing Hoya gacha and retailers near Sendai Station [Miyagi Prefecture]

Have you heard of "Hoya Tamago" (Hoya eggs), which are quietly expanding their sales locations within Miyagi Prefecture?

This product uses sea squirt, a specialty of Miyagi Prefecture, and makes a perfect souvenir. In addition, Sendai Station has an unusual capsule machine where you can purchase sea squirt eggs

This time, we will introduce the appeal of Hoya Tamago, gachapon machines, and retailers

"Hoyatamago" is an egg wrapped in sea squirt

Sea squirt eggs

"Hoya Tamago" is a food made with sea squirt, a specialty of Miyagi Prefecture. An egg is wrapped inside a whole sea squirt and simmered in a specially made sweet and spicy broth

Unlike fresh sea squirt, it has a shelf life of 90 days from the date of production, making it a great gift.
In November 2021, it won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, the highest award at the National Comprehensive Quality Review Committee for Seafood.

Hoya eggs were originally a local dish of Onagawa Town in Miyagi Prefecture, where ascidian farming is popular. Hoya eggs are usually inaccessible to those unfamiliar with them, but they have been commercialized in an easy-to-eat form, making them appealing even to those unfamiliar with them

Introducing the appearance and taste of sea squirt eggs

If you don't have much experience eating sea squirts, you probably can't imagine what sea squirt eggs taste like. So, we actually bought some sea squirt eggs and reported on their appearance and taste

It looks like a peeled sea squirt

The appearance of the sea squirt eggs is a perfectly round sea squirt. The brown sea squirts are seasoned with sweet and spicy mirin, soy sauce, and sugar, and you can really taste the flavors permeating them

When you crack open a small sea squirt, you'll find a boiled egg inside. The smell of the sea squirt, which is often a reason people dislike sea squirts, is no longer detectable upon cracking it open

An irresistible taste for alcohol lovers

We recommend pairing sea squirt eggs with beer or sake. The bitter and sour taste of the sea squirt and the rich flavor of the eggs combine to create an addictive flavor

It has a sweet and spicy flavor, so if you eat it little by little while drinking alcohol, it's sure to make a great snack

Ingredients and prices of sea squirt eggs

The ingredients and prices of Hoya Tamago are as follows:

  • Price: 2 pieces 756 yen (tax included)
    1 capsule 500 yen (tax included)
  • Best before date: 90 days from the date of manufacture
  • Ingredients: Eggs, sea squirt, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, corn syrup, chili pepper

Where can I buy sea squirt eggs?

For those who want to try purchasing sea squirt eggs, here is a list of places in Miyagi Prefecture where they are sold. (Note: This information is current as of January 2023.)

JR Sendai Station Souvenir Shop Sendai No. 3

We recommend "Omiyage Dokoro Sendai 3" on the second floor of Sendai Station for tourists and those looking to buy souvenirs. The shop is located right after you enter from the pedestrian deck at the west exit of Sendai Station, and is where you can buy zunda shakes

Ekiben Festival inside JR Sendai Station

At Ekiben-ya Matsuri, located across from Souvenir Shop Sendai No. 3, sea squirt eggs are sold in a gachapon machine format

It comes in a capsule form, making it perfect for giving as a gift

Miyagi Michinoku Kaitaku Market

Sea squirt eggs are also sold at Miyagi Michinoku Kaitaku Market, which handles a wide variety of ingredients from Miyagi Prefecture

The shop is located in the Chris Road shopping arcade that runs from Sendai Station. When you enter the store, you will find sea squirt eggs in the seafood section on the left

This is also a recommended place for those who want to buy Miyagi Prefecture's local products such as vegetables and seafood in bulk

Onagawa Local Market Hama Terrace

Sea squirt eggs are also sold at Hama Terrace, a one-minute walk from Onagawa Station. Hama Terrace also offers a variety of gourmet dishes, including seafood kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot), seafood bowls, and wakame udon (seaweed udon), making it a great place to stop by when sightseeing

Maruki Abe Shoten Online Store

Even if you don't have many opportunities to visit Miyagi Prefecture, you can purchase sea squirt eggs from the online store of Marukichi Abe Shoten, the manufacturer of sea squirt eggs

Marukichi Abe Shoten Online Store URL

Check out the Hoya Tamago Gacha at Sendai Station!

In fact, a gachapon machine using sea squirt eggs is installed in the "Ekiben-ya Matsuri" on the second floor of Sendai Station

The cost is 500 yen per spin, and when you spin the capsule you will get one sea squirt egg in a capsule. Also, some of the sea squirt eggs in the capsule machine have winning capsules, and if you win you will receive a gift (contents not disclosed)

When I turned it, a palm-sized capsule came out. It contained sea squirts and eggs. It was sealed, odorless, and could be stored at room temperature, making it convenient to carry around

Try the sea squirt eggs made with sea squirts from Miyagi Prefecture!

This time we introduced "Hoya Tamago" (sea squirt eggs), which can be purchased in the souvenir section of Miyagi Prefecture

Hoya eggs are also a great souvenir for people who have never tried sea squirt before. If you are a drinker, their moderate saltiness and bitterness will make them a great accompaniment to sake or beer

If you stop by Sendai Station, be sure to try your hand at the gachapon machines

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