Did you know that there are actually three types of sauce katsudon, famous for local gourmet food in Aizu? [Fukushima Prefecture]

Fukushima Prefecture "Sauce Katsudon" ? This local delicacy is a must-try, with the ultimate combination of sweet and spicy sauce and pork cutlet, accented by shredded cabbage, making it a dish that will make you want to eat more rice.

However, Fukushima Prefecture is a large prefecture with a diverse food culture depending on the region, and sauce katsudon is no exception. There are three different types of sauce katsudon

This time, we will take a closer look at the sauced pork cutlet bowl situation in Fukushima

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What is Fukushima's sauced pork cutlet bowl?

What kind of dish is Fukushima's sauced pork cutlet bowl?

When you think of katsudon, most people probably imagine pork cutlet simmered in a soy sauce-based sauce, topped with an egg, and served on rice. And when you hear the term sauce katsudon, you might imagine pork cutlet topped with Worcestershire sauce or medium-thick sauce, served with rice

However, Fukushima's sauced pork cutlet bowl is a little different. Instead of pouring sauce directly onto the pork cutlet, a sauce-based sauce is used to cook it. Shredded cabbage is always placed on top of the rice, and it is served as if to catch the pork cutlet, which is seasoned with a rich, sweet and spicy sauce

In fact, local gourmet dishes with the name "sauce katsudon" are not only found in Fukushima, but all over the country. For example, Fukui Prefecture's sauce katsudon is made by coating thin pork cutlets in fine breadcrumbs, frying them until crispy, and soaking them in Worcestershire sauce before placing them on top of rice. Gunma Prefecture's sauce katsudon is made by dipping freshly fried pork tenderloin cutlets in sauce and placing them on top of rice

Compared to sauced pork cutlet bowls from other prefectures, Fukushima's sauced pork cutlet bowl is characterized by the shredded cabbage placed between the rice and the pork cutlet. At first glance, it may seem like a minor difference. However, the soft cushion of rice and shredded cabbage indicates that the seasoning is strong enough to prevent the flavor from becoming bland

Furthermore, Fukushima's sauced pork cutlet bowls are further divided into different types, each with its own unique characteristics

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There are actually three types of Fukushima sauce pork cutlet bowl!

There are three types of sauced pork cutlet bowl, a local delicacy of Fukushima Prefecture

• Aizu sauce pork cutlet bowl
• Aizu-Yanaizu Sauce Pork Cutlet Bowl
• Pork cutlet bowl with Shikura sauce

Apart from the most famous Aizu Sauce Katsudon, there may be people living in Fukushima Prefecture who are unfamiliar with the other two varieties. We will introduce the characteristics of each

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Aizu sauce pork cutlet bowl

The most famous sauced pork cutlet bowl in Fukushima Prefecture is probably the Aizu Sauce Pork Cutlet Bowl. The freshly fried pork cutlet is dipped in a generous amount of sauce, making it unique. The sauce is sweet and rich, but it pairs perfectly with the shredded cabbage and rice, so you can enjoy it until the very end without it feeling heavy

Aizu Sauce Katsudon are concentrated in Aizuwakamatsu City. As it is adjacent to Kitakata Town, which is famous for its ramen, there are also restaurants where you can enjoy both sauce katsudon and Kitakata ramen.

Another feature of Aizu Sauce Katsudon is that many restaurants serve large portions. Many restaurants serve large pork cutlets, some so big they spill out of the bowl, and some that are nearly twice as thick as regular pork cutlets. It's irresistible for foodies

Although they are all called Aizu Sauce Katsudon, each store has its own unique character. Each store has its own fans, and the debate over which store is the best can be heated. It's fun to go around trying different stores in search of your favorite sauce katsudon. Be sure to find the store that's right for you

For information on restaurants where you can eat Aizu sauce katsudon, please refer to the website of the Traditional Aizu Sauce Katsudon Association

Link: Traditional Aizu Sauce Katsudon Association Official Website

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Aizu-Yanaizu Sauce Pork Cutlet Bowl

The sauced pork cutlet bowl from Yanaizu Town in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture is characterized by the use of eggs. However, it is different from the nationally famous pork cutlet bowl, commonly known as "pork cutlet with egg."

The Aizu-Yanaizu Sauce Katsudon is made by placing shredded cabbage on top of rice, topping it with a fluffy and creamy omelet, then topping it with freshly fried pork cutlet, and pouring on a sauce-flavored sauce. In other words, it is not bound together by the egg.

The pork cutlet is not soaked in sauce, so it has a crispy texture. The sweet sauce and fluffy, runny omelet combine to create a mellow flavor in your mouth. This may be especially easy to imagine for those who prefer fried eggs with sauce

Rice, cabbage, omelet, pork cutlet, and sauce are all essential ingredients. The unique feature of Aizu-Yanaizu Sauce Katsudon is that each ingredient has a well-balanced flavor

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Pork cutlet bowl with Shikura sauce

The third sauce katsudon is located in Iwaki City, along the Pacific Ocean, far from the previous two. As a port city, Iwaki City is famous for its seafood, but there is also an area where sauce katsudon is beloved as soul food by the locals. That area the Yotsukura district .

The Yotsukura Sauce Katsudon is characterized by its sweet and sour sauce, which is refreshing. Pork cutlets made with fillet or loin meat are served with cabbage in a bowl, and the sauce is poured over just enough to retain some texture.

Rather than being special, it has a familiar taste that evokes nostalgia. The rich umami flavor is sure to make you want to eat more rice. If you're staying in Iwaki for several nights, be sure to try the sauced pork cutlet bowl along with your seafood dishes

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Make it at home! Introducing the Aizu Sauce Katsudon Recipe

Sauce katsudon is a local delicacy in Fukushima, but you can actually recreate a similar taste at home. If you want to try it but can't quite make it to Fukushima, be sure to use this recipe!

Aizu Sauce Katsudon Recipe

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 pieces of pork cutlet
• 100g cabbage
• 2 servings of rice

(Sauce)

• 100ml medium-thick sauce
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mentsuyu
• 1 tablespoon mirin

How to make

1. Add the sauce ingredients to a pot, stir and bring to a boil over low heat
2. Shred the cabbage and place it on top of the rice in a bowl
3. Dip the pork cutlet, cut into bite-sized pieces, into the sauce and arrange on top of ②

For example, if you can get tonkatsu in the prepared or frozen food section of a supermarket, you can enjoy it very easily. It's also a great way to make your own tonkatsu recipe when you feel like your usual tonkatsu is getting a bit boring. Please feel free to try Fukushima's soul food

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summary

This time we introduced Fukushima's sauced pork cutlet bowl

Although it's generally called a sauce katsudon, there are three different types in Fukushima Prefecture. The sweet and spicy Aizu sauce katsudon is hearty, the mellow Aizu-Yanaizu sauce katsudon is smooth, and the refreshing and nostalgic Shikura sauce katsudon is refreshing. Each has its own merits, so when you visit Fukushima, be sure to find the sauce katsudon that suits your taste

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