[Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture] Sakata and Tsuruoka are long-established bars, yakitori restaurants, and ``Senbero''!

Shonai, known as one of Japan's leading rice producing regions, is a plain rich in nature, facing the Sea of ​​Japan to the west, and surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Chokai and Mt. Dewa Sanzan (Mt. Gassan, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Haguro) to the north, east, and south. is expanding.

The Shonai Plain is a fertile plain where rivers such as the Mogami River flow through these mountains, producing delicious rice such as Koshihikari, and it is known as the ``food capital'' blessed with ingredients from the mountains and sea.

Shonai is divided into Tsuruoka City, which has a population of 120,000, and Sakata City, which has a population of 100,000, but there seems to be a difference in temperament between Tsuruoka, the castle town of the Shonai clan, and Sakata, which is a flourishing port town and commercial town.

I don't know if that's the reason, but when comparing these two cities, there are a lot of ``Senbero Sakaba'' that I especially recommend in Sakata City.

What is the definition of “senbero”?

The word originally referred to a bar where you could get very drunk for 1,000 yen, but now it has come to mean a bar where you can get 2 to 3 drinks and snacks for 1,000 yen.

In this article, we have defined the criteria for certification as a "Senbero" bar as follows.

  • You can order two glasses of alcohol (type and quantity are free) and one snack in addition to the appetizer and drink it for less than 1,000 yen.
  • Set prices such as "Senbero Set" are available for less than 1,000 yen.
  • Family restaurants where you can eat rice crackers are not eligible.

We also introduce sets that cost less than 1,500 yen as "high-priced rice crackers," but we appreciate your understanding.

Please note that prices in the article include tax unless otherwise stated and are as of the end of September 2023.

Kumura no Sakaba

From the Shonai tourism website

Founded in 1867, the shop started out as a corner shop at a long-established liquor store, and continues to be loved by the locals and is said to be a ``must stop by when you come to Sakata'', and is now recognized as a bar by the locals, so it has been renamed ``Senbero Sakaba''. Let me introduce you.

It's about a 15-minute walk from Sakata Station towards Hiyoriyama.The U-shaped counter inside is a glass case, and you can order while looking at the day's recommended dishes placed inside. is.

The handmade gyoza and handmade croquettes (473 yen each) and fried chicken and geso set (440 yen) are popular, and there is a wide variety of dishes on the menu, including the limited-edition homemade salted squid (462 yen), boiled motsu and pizza.

For drinks, a medium mug of draft beer costs 564 yen, highballs and chuhai drinks cost 418 yen, and hoppy drinks are also available.

Originally a liquor store, there is a wide variety of sake, mainly local sake from Yamagata, but if you want to enjoy Senbero, you can choose between a glass of sake (hot, cold, room temperature) for 319 yen, or a glass of shochu (20 degrees, 286 yen, 25 yen). 297 yen per degree) is recommended.

Kumura's bar <Information>

  • Store name: Hisamura no Sakaba
  • Location: 1-41 Kotobukicho, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0234-24-0356
  • Business hours: Tuesday - Saturday 17:30 - 21:00
  • Closed: Sundays and Mondays
  • gourmet site

Google Maps

Charcoal-grilled Yakitori Kamome

From Charcoal-grilled Yakitori Kamome official Facebook

This popular restaurant is nestled in a residential area in Sennichimachi, about 1 km from Sakata Station, and has a counter that seats about 10 people and a private room that can accommodate 20 people.

From Charcoal-grilled Yakitori Kamome official Facebook

There are over 30 types of yakitori, pork, and motsuyaki, all priced at a reasonable price of 110 yen each, over 10 types of skewers to choose from starting at 130 yen, and a wide variety of other single-dish dishes priced under 500 yen.

From Charcoal-grilled Yakitori Kamome official Facebook

Among the 350 yen stew dishes, we especially recommend the salty beef tendon stew and pork Nankotsu stew.It's interesting that the seasoning of the offal stew changes depending on the season, with salty in the spring and miso in the winter.

Although it is far from downtown, it is a popular restaurant that is often full, so if you plan to visit, it may be best to make a reservation in advance.

Charcoal-grilled Yakitori Kamome ＜Information＞

Google Maps

Gourmet Tachikawa

From the Gourmet Tachikawa official website

The approach to Hie Shrine in Hiyoriyama, Sakata City is paved with cobblestone streets and is an atmospheric restaurant district, but at first glance, it has an atmosphere that makes you think it is a high-end izakaya. there is.

From the Gourmet Tachikawa official website

However, while course meals are priced at 3,000 to 5,000 yen, which is the same as a normal izakaya, they also offer reasonable snacks, such as cold tofu and agedashi tofu for 240 yen, and grilled chicken wings (3 pieces) for 350 yen.

From the Gourmet Tachikawa official website

Drink prices are 530 yen for draft beer and under 500 yen for highballs and sours.

Seasonal sake is always available, so there may be something that isn't on the menu, so just let them know your preference and they'll choose it accordingly.

The dry ``Gen no Funauta'' from Sakata's local sake ``Hatsuko'' is priced at 390 yen per cup, which is a nice price for a ``senbero'' drinker, making it an izakaya where you can fully enjoy ``senbero''.

Gourmet Tachikawa ＜Information＞

  • Store name: Gourmet Tachikawa
  • Location: 2-1-30 Hiyoshicho, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0234-24-5455
  • Business hours: Mon-Sat 17:30-22:30
  • Closed: Sunday
  • URL: Gourmet Tachikawa official website
  • gourmet site

Google Maps

Standing bar Maki

Located about a 3-minute walk from Tsuruoka Station, this izakaya only has a standing counter that can accommodate up to 10 people, so you can enjoy a quick Senbero rice cracker.

All drinks and snacks are paid in advance and redeemed, and there are no appetizers.

Drinks include draft beer for 400 yen, various sours for 350 yen, and wine and sake for around 400 yen.

Popular snacks include potato salad, chicken skin ponzu sauce, and french fries for 250 yen, freshly fried horse mackerel, ham cutlet, and minced meat cutlet for 200 yen, and croquettes for 150 yen.

In addition, the popular ``Yumiko's Gyoza'' (400 yen for 3 pieces) is said to be made by a friend of the owner's wife, and is said to have a delicious chewy skin, and although it is cheap, it has a good reputation for the taste of the dish. .

In addition, there are five rules posted inside the store, so please follow them and enjoy a smart tachinomi experience.

Standing bar Maki ＜Information＞

Google Maps

summary

In Shonai, there are many ``Senbero Sakaba'' that we would like to introduce to Sakata, but there are also signs that ``Senbero'' drinking is becoming popular, such as the opening of shops where you can enjoy standing drinks in Tsuruoka.

Additionally, in addition to the ones introduced here, there are many long-established yakitori restaurants and popular bars in Sakata City where you can enjoy Senbero bar hopping.

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