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There is a soy sauce that has been loved for generations in Yonezawa City, in southern Yamagata Prefecture
It's called "Umai Sauce ." Every Yonezawa resident knows it, and I've heard that every household has a bottle on hand.
What kind of sauce is this "Umai Tare" that is loved by locals and even ordered from outside the prefecture as a taste of hometown for those who live far away?
We will also introduce some representative local dishes that use Umai Sauce
Soy sauce? No, it's "Umaitare" (delicious sauce)
"Umaitare" is an all-purpose seasoning made using a unique method that makes full use of the umami flavor of real bonito
It can be used as soy sauce, but also goes well with a variety of meals such as noodle soup, sauce, and rice with raw egg on top
Furthermore, while the salt concentration of regular soy sauce is about 17%, Umaitare has a salt concentration of 12.5%, making it an all-purpose sauce that is also ideal for your health
Yamagata's soul food "Tama Konnyaku" made with "Umaitare" sauce
Tama konnyaku, affectionately known as Tamakon, is the soul food of the people of Yamagata Prefecture
It is sold on skewers at tourist spots, cherry blossom viewing spots, events, and festivals, and is a local Yamagata dish in which konjac soaked in dashi soy sauce is eaten with mustard
As its name suggests, the "Tama Konnyaku" made with "Umaitare" is packed with umami flavor, so you can easily cook it at home with just this one product
By the way, the recipe is super easy!
Quickly wash the konnyaku balls with water
Put the konnyaku balls into an empty pot and cook until the surface is completely dry
Add the "Umai Sauce" until the konnyaku balls are about half full and boil (adding squid tentacles will enhance the flavor even more)
Continue to simmer while stirring (the konjac will release water and the mixture will reach the desired thickness)
Check the flavor and remove from heat
A delicious sauce that can be made without using various seasonings is very useful!
also be used in boiled fish, simmered root vegetables, noodle and tempura dipping sauces, It's a very convenient all-purpose seasoning
It's no exaggeration to say that it's the key to flavor, and that every household should have one on hand!
The well-balanced flavor of the "Umai Sauce" goes perfectly with rice topped with raw egg!
Freshly cooked rice, fresh eggs, and the all-purpose seasoning "Umaitare" are sure to get your appetite going
A staple in Yonezawa! Yamagata specialty "Imoni" made with a delicious sauce
One of the autumn traditions that represents Yamagata is the "Imoni Party," a gathering on the riverbank with close friends, colleagues, children's groups, and others, where everyone gathers around a large pot and enjoys the delicious imoni
Supermarkets in Yonezawa City sell "Imoni Kai Sets," which include cut ingredients, taro, beef, and a delicious sauce as a seasoning
Imoni is popular throughout Yamagata Prefecture, but not all of it is made with the same delicious sauce; each region uses its own cooking methods and seasonings
However, in Yonezawa, it is common to use the all-purpose seasoning "Umai Tare."
What is Hirayama Magobei Shoten, the creator of "Umaitare"?
"Umai Sauce" is manufactured and sold by Hirayama Magobei Shoten, which was founded in 1876
During the Edo period, the company was an official sword sharpener for the Uesugi clan, and in the Meiji period it began brewing soy sauce and miso, a business that continues to this day
Hirayama Magobei Shoten: More than just delicious sauce
"Umai Sauce" is by far the most popular, and sales are also increasing online
However, the soy sauce produced and sold by Hirayama Magobei Shoten is also made using a special manufacturing process that results in a strong flavor, and it has gained enduring popularity
Hirayama Magobei Shoten <Information>
Name: Hirayama Magobei Shoten
Address: 2-2-22 Omachi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0031
Also pay attention to the rice crackers made with "Umaitare" sauce!
Hirayama Magobei Shoten, whose signature product is Umaitare, is also popular for its miso paste in addition to soy sauce
They also sell a wide variety of pickles and tsukudani made with soy sauce and miso
Recently, supermarkets have also started selling fried rice crackers seasoned with Umaitare
Selling it as rice crackers will likely help expand support among young people!
summary
Every region in the country has its own local ingredients and dishes that continue to be loved in that region
Even within Yamagata Prefecture, each region has its own seasonings that are loved by its residents
Umai-tare is a versatile seasoning that represents Yonezawa and is essential for cooking local dishes such as "tama-konnyaku" and "imoni" that are known throughout the country, as it is the key to their flavor
I'm originally from Tokyo, but I've lived in Yamagata Prefecture for 30 years. Nowadays, I am able to speak the dialect and become a local. He goes to the nearby prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima about two to three days a month to gather information. I belong to the middle-aged group who loves cats, local sake, and side dishes. (The icon is a beloved cat)
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
