This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture is famous for its Inaho Express train and Dutch rice crackers. For those in Tokyo, it's likely they've never heard of either of these things before
The Inaho Limited Express is a JR East limited express train that runs from Niigata along the Sea of Japan to Sakata and Akita. A new color, "lapis lazuli blue," was released on October 27, 2017, and has been well-received. The Green Car is also attracting attention for its particularly comfortable design
Well, this time we're not going to focus on the Inaho Express, but on the local specialty, "Oranda Senbei." Oranda Senbei is not only known in Yamagata, but is also widely known as a local confectionery in the Tohoku region
These Dutch rice crackers are made by Sakata Rice Crackers in Yamagata Prefecture. In Sakata City, there is the Dutch rice cracker factory, where you can see the process of how the rice crackers are made and even bake them yourself
This time, we will introduce a factory that produces Dutch rice crackers, one of the specialties of Tohoku
The Oranda Senbei Factory is a very long 545m long road. It's a single road so long you can't even see the finish line. So there's no need to worry about your children getting lost
The reason why the factory is so long is that it is necessary to have a line for drying the rice crackers. You can get a good idea of its length from the bird's-eye view from the roof.
Freshly baked Dutch rice crackers make my cheeks water
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOjMeuPA2p3/Along the way, there is a tasting corner where you can try freshly made mitarashi dango and Dutch rice crackers. To sample, you open a glass door and pick up the food. There are also hand towels and a trash can nearby, making it hygienic.
The freshly made dango and senbei rice crackers are especially delicious. Many people eat several of them. This factory is the only place where you can eat freshly made Dutch senbei rice crackers
See how Dutch rice crackers are made up close
The manufacturing process for Oranda Senbei is to make the dough, bake it, season it, and then package it. You can see this process through the window. It's fun to watch the dough being cut into shapes over and over again
You can see that the leftover dough after cutting out the shapes is not just thrown away, but is returned and mixed into the dough to be cut out
The flavor and degree of baking of "Oranda Senbei" is adjusted by hand. It is a very meticulous and careful process. You can see with your own eyes why Oranda Senbei has continued to be loved by the people of Tohoku with its unchanged taste since 1962
Dutch rice crackers are made using rice from the local Shonai region. Holland is not a country, but a dialect. The name "Orada" (meaning "our") crackers became Dutch rice crackers through a corrupted translation
Dutch rice crackers are characterized by their thinness, measuring just 3mm thick. What's also impressive is their strong flavor, which is almost salty
The appeal of Dutch rice crackers is that they are thin and easy to eat, and have a strong flavor that makes it hard to stop eating them
Try baking your own rice crackers
On the second floor, up the stairs from the exit, you can try your hand at baking and seasoning rice crackers
For senbei-yaki, you will receive enough dough for three pieces (400 yen)
Grill each piece on the grill, turning them over every 3 seconds, and repeating this process over and over. Be careful not to turn them over for more than 3 seconds, as they will burn
Once cooked, you can dip the rice crackers in soy sauce and eat them. We recommend trying them first without the soy sauce and enjoying the flavor of the rice crackers themselves
Senbei dough is sold for home use, and grills are also available, so if you buy the set, you can bake senbei at home
This time, we have introduced the Oranda Senbei Factory. There are numerous exhibits along the long corridor, all of which are elaborately designed, so you won't get bored and will enjoy the experience
After watching the process of how the rice crackers are baked, you can actually eat freshly baked rice crackers. You won't find freshly baked Dutch rice crackers anywhere else
It's especially fun to try baking and seasoning your own rice crackers. There's also a cafe on the second floor where you can enjoy pancakes and Japanese sweets made with the same local Shonai rice as the Dutch rice crackers
This is a spot that can be enjoyed by anyone, whether they have been eating Dutch rice crackers for a long time or are just learning about them for the first time
INFORMATION
name
Dutch Senbei Factory
location
2-24 Ryohanmachi, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 998-0832
A web writer who loves sightseeing. He is dedicated to exploring local gourmet food. Recently, I've been researching famous Japanese sweets shops such as manju and dango. Going around the basements of department stores is my daily routine.
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