Takasago Foods' "Nabeyaki Udon" is so delicious! Why are so many people buying boxes of it? [Aomori Prefecture]

Winter in Aomori brings to mind snow, winter sports, and delicious hotpot dishes that warm the soul. Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon is an essential part of winter. Nabeyaki Udon is almost always available at Aomori supermarkets in winter. What's surprising is how it's sold. It's sold in boxes, and many people buy the whole box!

Why is Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon so popular? In this article, we'll explore the appeal of Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon and share our impressions after actually trying it!

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A must-have in Aomori's winter! What is Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon?

First, we will introduce the history of Takasago Foods and the appeal of nabeyaki udon

The history of Takasago Foods and its popularity in Aomori

Takasago Foods is a food manufacturer that has long been loved by locals in Aomori Prefecture. They are known for their traditional manufacturing methods that have been passed down since their founding, and for using local ingredients in their products. Since they began producing nabeyaki udon as a winter staple, they have become synonymous with winter among Aomori residents

In winter, rows of nabeyaki udon are lined up in special corners of local supermarkets, with boxes of packages stacked next to them. On weekends in particular, shoppers often buy whole boxes for their families, and this sight can be said to be a winter tradition unique to Aomori

The characteristics and appeal of Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon

The appeal of this nabeyaki udon is undoubtedly its chewy noodles and mildly flavored soup. It has a warming, comforting taste that will blow away the cold Aomori winter. The package includes noodles, soup, kakiage, and shichimi (seven-spice seasoning), so one of its charms is that you can enjoy authentic nabeyaki udon with just this one dish

The ingredients are simple, but the dish faithfully recreates the taste of Aomori home cooking. It's a perfect dish for when you don't have much of an appetite, or as a late-night snack or after a night of drinking

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Why do so many people buy in bulk? Find out the reason

In winter, many people buy boxes of Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon noodles at supermarkets in Aomori Prefecture, but why is it so popular?

A comforting taste that's perfect for winter

Aomori's winters are bitterly cold. The warmth of nabeyaki udon has a gentle quality that not only soothes the body but also the soul. With just one bite, the aroma of the broth tickles your nose, and the chewy noodles whet your appetite. This " comforting taste " is the reason why it has long been loved by locals.

In Aomori, nabeyaki udon is especially popular in winter as a way to warm up the body after shoveling snow or working outside. The ease with which it can be made in one pot, even on days when you just want something simple, is what drives its popularity

Easy to cook and fun for the whole family

Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon is very easy to make. Just add water, soup, and noodles to a pot and heat it. After simmering for 2-3 minutes, authentic nabeyaki udon is ready. Not only is it easy to prepare, but the flavor is also delicious and can be enjoyed by the whole family, from children to the elderly

It also keeps well, so it's convenient to stock up on it. It can be stored at room temperature, so people in Aomori Prefecture often have cardboard boxes of Takasago Foods Nabeyaki Udon piled up in their entryways. When you're wondering, "What should I eat today?", just take it out, heat it up in a pot, and you'll have a satisfying meal

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I tried Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon!

I actually made and tried Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon!

The basic set in the bag is delicious enough on its own, but this time I added some carrots, shiitake mushrooms, green onions, chrysanthemum, and eggs that I had in the fridge. I think they used to include gluten, but maybe I'm just imagining it. The taste is the same as it was back then, with a strong, sweet soy sauce flavor that Aomori people seem to like

The noodles are not chewy, but rather springy. I like soft udon, so I simmered it for an additional 5 minutes beyond the recommended time, but the noodles still retained their springy texture without falling apart. When the tempura melts, the oil spreads, adding a sweetness. The shichimi chili pepper used to change the flavor adds a spicy accent, so I was able to eat it all the way to the end without getting bored

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Enjoy even more! Nabeyaki Udon Recipe

Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon comes with a basic set of udon noodles, noodle soup, dashi stock, tempura, and shichimi pepper, as shown in the image above. From here, we will introduce some ways to enjoy Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon even more

Add vegetables and meat to increase volume

The great thing about nabeyaki udon is how versatile it is. For example, simply adding leftover vegetables or meat from your fridge can quickly transform it into a nutritionally balanced dish. Aomori Prefecture is the number one prefecture in Japan for cup ramen consumption, and its residents love instant noodles. However, for some reason, Takasago nabeyaki udon seems less guilt-inducing, even though it takes about the same amount of time to cook. This is probably because you can add vegetables to it, making it much more nutritiously balanced than cup ramen. Adding plenty of vegetables like carrots, spinach, and shiitake mushrooms makes for a hearty nabeyaki udon

If you can afford it, I recommend adding Shamrock peas from Aomori Prefecture to enhance the flavor. The noodles and soup will absorb the flavor of the ingredients, making this a dish that will satisfy the whole family

Ideas for adding a little something to change the flavor

Adding a little something to your nabeyaki udon will make it even more delicious. Try adding shichimi pepper or yuzu pepper for a spicy accent, or add a raw egg or melted cheese for a richer flavor

If you want a hearty meal, just add a dollop of curry roux and it will instantly become curry udon. If you want a stronger flavor, just add a little butter or sesame oil to increase the richness. The appeal of nabeyaki udon is that you can enjoy it in different ways every time, depending on how you arrange it

Personally, I love simmering it for longer than the recommended time and eating it until the udon is completely soft!

Where can I buy it? Easy to find places to buy it

Box sales are the norm at supermarkets in Aomori Prefecture

When winter comes in Aomori, Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon is lined up in special corners of local supermarkets and markets. It is often sold in boxes, and there is no end to the number of households buying in bulk. Especially on weekends, it is common to see customers with carts full of boxes at supermarkets. This shows that it is a winter staple for the people of Aomori Prefecture

You can also purchase it online! No need to worry if you live far away!

Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon can also be purchased online. It can be easily ordered from the official online store or online shop, allowing you to enjoy the taste of Aomori's winter anywhere in the country. What's great is that in addition to the product sold in Aomori, there is also a version containing gluten for use outside the prefecture

Even if you live far away, you can order this nabeyaki udon and enjoy the Aomori winter atmosphere right at home, which is a great thing

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summary

Takasago Foods' Nabeyaki Udon is a classic food that symbolizes winter in Aomori. Its appeal lies in its comforting taste, ease of preparation, fun variations, and ease of availability

The sight of them being sold in boxes at supermarkets in Aomori is so familiar that it can be said to be a local winter tradition, and once you have tried it, you will never forget its deliciousness. Of course, you can buy a box to enjoy with your family, but even if you live far away, you can order it online and enjoy the taste of Aomori's winter!

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Takasago Foods Co., Ltd

• Official URL: https://takasago-mejya.net/

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