Now is it nationwide? Akita Prefecture's legendary B-grade gourmet "Yokomete Yakisoba"

Many people have probably heard of the name "B-grade gourmet." B-grade gourmet is not traditional dishes that are conformed to the local community nor are they high-class dishes, but are cheap, common and nostalgic. Sometimes, you can make gourmet food that makes you think, "Oh, I want to eat it," and sometimes it's B-grade gourmet food.

In Japan, the term "B-grade gourmet" was born in the 1980s, and its name spread throughout Japan.

Today, there are many "inexpensive and easy-to-eat B-grade gourmet foods in excellent local colors" all over Japan, and are being held at competitions such as the B-grade Gourmet Grand Prix Events where you can eat B-grade gourmet food from all over Japan are said to be a huge success in every region.

Of course, B-class gourmet food also exists in Akita Prefecture. Moreover, it is a B-class gourmet that is very famous nationwide!

A representative of B-class gourmet food! What is “Yokote Yakisoba”?

“When you think of Akita Prefecture, you think of this B-class gourmet food!”

Yokote Yakisoba is a high-quality B-grade gourmet food that combines traditional flavors that anyone in Akita Prefecture will sway with the taste of the common people.

At first, Yokote Yakisoba was introduced as a B-grade gourmet food, but now it is popular as a cheap, filling yakisoba for ordinary people, rather than a B-grade gourmet food that can be eaten at restaurants and izakayas in various parts of Akita Prefecture.

Some of them are on the menu along with regular yakisoba, and people from outside the prefecture may be surprised to see what's different from regular yakisoba? Certainly, you can't tell just by looking at the name.

What are the characteristics of Yokote Yakisoba?

Fried egg topped

One of the most distinctive features of Yokote Yakisoba is that it is topped with a fried egg on top of the yakisoba

Yokote Yakisoba is a yakisoba that looks like fried eggs, and can be eaten by lying the yolk and mixing it with yakisoba, or alternating with yakisoba.

The side dish is Fukujin pickles

The second feature is that the side dish is Fukujinzuke

When you think of yakisoba, you probably think of red ginger, but due to the seasoning of Yokote yakisoba, it goes well with Fukujinzuke, which is sweeter than red ginger.

In addition, some shops may have their own unique differences in the ingredients, such as using sweet cabbage or hormones.

Each store's own Worcestershire sauce and shotsuru (fish sauce)

The third feature is probably the biggest feature of Yokote Yakisoba.

Yokote Yakisoba uses Worcestershire sauce, which is different from regular Yakisoba When it comes to Akita Prefecture, "Shottsuru" (fish sauce) is famous, but some restaurants also use "Shottsuru" with an Akita-style flavor for yakisoba.

It would be easier to understand if you express it as an impression that it is closer to soy sauce than to sauce flavor.

The soup is also a bit richer than regular yakisoba, so you eat it by letting it soak in the soup. Yokote Yakisoba is a type of yakisoba that can be said to be unique to Akita, where fish sauce soup is a familiar taste for the common people.

If you're looking for a famous Yokote Yakisoba restaurant, check out Yokote Yakisoba Norenkai

Even if you visit Yokote and start eating Yokote Yakisoba, you may find it difficult to choose a restaurant. In such cases, we recommend the Yokote Yakisoba Norenkai website

Link: Yokote Yakisoba Norenkai

Yokote Yakisoba Norenkai is a private organization that was founded with the aim of bringing together stores that cook and sell yakisoba in the Yokote and Hiraka area (now Yokote City) to promote Yokote Yakisoba nationwide and improving the appeal of yakisoba restaurants.

If you look at the "Store Introduction" section on this site the list of Yokote Yakisoba Noren Association members , as well as stores that were selected as Four Heavenly Kings in the Yokote Yakisoba Four Heavenly Kings match

lastly

"Yokote Yakisoba" is a B-class gourmet dish representing Akita Prefecture. Its popularity is not only limited to Akita prefecture, and not only to B-class gourmet lovers, but now throughout Japan. Of course, it is also popular within Akita Prefecture as a familiar taste among the common people.

Yokote Yakisoba is also popular as a souvenir. Souvenir shops in Akita Prefecture sell Yokote Yakisoba, which you can take home and make yourself. It might be a good idea to enjoy the local food and then try cooking it yourself when you get home.