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In May 2017, the Kunimi Atsukashi no Sato roadside station grand opened in Kunimi Town, Date District, in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture.
Kunimi Town is known for its abundant agricultural products, including peaches, but this roadside station is said to offer a unique local hamburger. I heard rumors that it's so delicious that many people visit just to eat it, so I went to check it out.
A roadside station with good access. You can even stay overnight!
Atsukashino Sato is located along National Route 4, also known as the Rikuu Kaido, and is easily accessible from within Fukushima Prefecture as well as Miyagi Prefecture
"Atsukashi no Sato" is named after Mount Atsukashi, a mountain that can be considered a symbol of Kunimi Town, with the hope that it would become a place loved by many people. True to that wish, it has been bustling with many people since it opened. As it is a roadside station, it has a parking lot with space for 180 cars, but I was surprised to find it almost full when I visited.
And no wonder, as it has an information and rest facility, a direct sales market for agricultural products, a restaurant, a cafe, a 24-hour convenience store, and even accommodation facilities, and you can even have a "roadside station wedding," making it an important spot not only for tourists but also for people from the surrounding area.
The unexpected combination of the "Kunimi Burger" is more delicious than you'd imagine
Now, here comes the Kunimi Burger I was looking forward to
First, let me introduce its profile. The Kunimi Burger is a town revitalization gourmet dish developed by members of the Kunimi Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and debuted in 2012
This burger, which consists of miso-braised mackerel from Sakuma Shoten in Kunimi Town sandwiched together with tomato, lettuce, and onion in a bun from Sakuma Bakery, won the grand prize at the Fukushima Burger Summit in 2014 and 2015, and was even registered as a trademark in 2016
Previously, it was sold at events or from a mobile food truck, but now a sales corner has been set up at Atsukashi no Sato, so it can be enjoyed at any time
The main ingredient, miso-braised mackerel, is outstanding. The product name is "Mackerel Miso Braised - Bone and All," and the mackerel, simmered only in miso and sugar, is well-seasoned but not at all overpowering or heavy, and as the name suggests, you can eat it bone and all.
As you can see from the photo, it contains fairly large pieces of mackerel.
This miso-braised mackerel pairs very well with raw vegetables, which add a refreshing touch to the dish
With such unique ingredients, the bun is equally important. A flimsy bun would just lose out. In that respect, Sakuma Bakery's buns are perfect.
You can really enjoy the deliciousness of the bread, and it makes for a very satisfying burger.
We also tried the highly anticipated new product: the "Squid and Carrot Burger"
In fact, when I ordered the Kunimi Burger, I was introduced to the Squid and Carrot Burger, with the comment, "How about this one too? It's a new product! It's very popular!"
The Kunimi Burger, which contains mackerel, was enough to make me dread it (maybe a bit of an exaggeration...), but now it's got squid and carrots on top of that?! I couldn't resist my curiosity, so I ordered both at the same time
Incidentally, "squid and carrots" is a representative local dish of northern Fukushima Prefecture. The squid used in this dish is dried squid, which is thinly sliced and softened with sake, then marinated together with thinly sliced carrots in a sauce made from soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and other ingredients. Since it is a home-cooked dish, the way it is made varies slightly from household to household
Anyway, this is the squid and carrot burger
However, it's not just squid and carrots sandwiched in a bun; there's also fried white fish and lettuce. It looks like a fish burger.
But! When you take a bite, the carrots have a huge presence. The best way to eat this is to open your mouth wide and devour it without spilling any carrots.
The fish fry is served with tartar sauce, but the umami of dried squid and carrots seems to be a subtle but effective flavor enhancer, giving it a depth of taste.
After trying this, you might find regular fish burgers unsatisfying. Personally, though, I would have preferred this burger with white wine rather than coffee.
Burgers aren't the only unique thing about Atsukashino Sato. There's also a wide variety of souvenirs available
Both the "Kunimi Burger" and the "Squid and Carrot Burger" are quite filling, so if you have a small appetite, it might be a challenge to eat both. But I highly recommend you try both!
A leisurely stroll through "Kunimi Market," a direct sales store offering freshly harvested local vegetables and fruits, processed goods unique to Kunimi Town, and specialty products from Fukushima Prefecture, is a great way to work up an appetite. You can also find
various items that are hard to come by anywhere else, such as "Atsukashi-san," a new local sake from Kunimi Town.
Events are held from time to time, so be sure to head to Kunimi Atsukashi no Sato Roadside Station to try some unique burgers!
A writer specializing in food and travel. He loves the Tohoku region, and often visits Fukushima in particular. He even once drove his own car from Kyoto to Fukushima and back
