[Fukushima Prefecture] Aizu's "horse sashimi" is delicious! Introducing restaurants that recommend horse meat dishes

What comes to mind when you think of a region famous for producing horse meat dishes and horse sashimi? In fact, horse meat dishes are a hidden specialty of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture . This is an area where you can eat delicious horse sashimi.

This time, we will introduce recommended restaurants and butcher shops in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture where you can enjoy delicious horse meat dishes. If you're looking for the ultimate taste where you can feel the flavor of the meat the more you chew, why not come and try it out?

Why is horse sashimi so famous in the Aizu region?

The Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture is a region where horse meat dishes are widely eaten.

horsemeat

When you think of a famous production area for horse sashimi, many people probably think of Kumamoto Prefecture. However, Fukushima Prefecture ranks second in the nation in terms of horsemeat production . Horse meat has become such an integral part of daily life that horse sashimi is routinely sold at local supermarkets.

It is believed that the horse meat culture took root in the Aizu region because it used to be a key transportation hub. Horses supported people's lives when carrying cargo and farming. In addition, the fact that a horse auction site was located in Aizuzakashita-cho may have been one of the reasons why horse meat was so readily available.

snowy scenery and horse carriage

Horse meat dishes have a long history, and there are historical accounts of people eating horse meat during the Boshin War However, it is only in recent years that people have started eating raw horse sashimi. It is thought that around the 1950s, when refrigerators became popular, it became easier to eat fresh horse sashimi at home and it became popular.

What are the characteristics of Aizu horse sashimi? Meat quality and sauce are the secrets to its deliciousness

Aizu horse sashimi characterized by its red meat and miso .

For horse sashimi in Kumamoto Prefecture, marbled meat with marbling due to its fat content is preferred. On the other hand, horse sashimi from Aizu is preferred for its soft lean meat , so you can enjoy the light flavor of the meat.

horse sashimi

By the way, this difference in meat is due to the difference in the type of horse used. The horses used in Kumamoto and Aomori prefectures are heavy-bred horses used for farming and other purposes. On the other hand, in Aizu, slender "light breed" horses are used for competitions and horseback riding.

When eating horse sashimi from Aizu, it is common to mix special miso with soy sauce. The miso used for horse sashimi is mustard miso. Garlic and chili pepper have a spicy effect. This salty and spicy taste brings out the flavor of the lean meat even more.

The good thing about Aizu horse sashimi, which is low in fat, is that it won't upset your stomach even if you eat too much. It has become a popular flavor as an accompaniment to alcoholic beverages and as a side dish to rice.

You can eat delicious horse meat dishes! Introducing recommended restaurants in Aizu

Enjoy Aizu horse sashimi with light, mild red meat and spicy special mustard miso. Here are three recommended restaurants in Aizu where you can enjoy delicious horse meat dishes.

  • Tsuruga
  • Sakashita Drive-in
  • Yoshishita

Aizu local food and Sakura hotpot Tsuruga

This is a local restaurant with locations in Fukushima Prefecture and Akasaka, Tokyo. You can fully enjoy the charm of horse meat, such as horse sashimi using rare parts of chateaubriand and mane, and cherry hotpot that brings out the flavor of horse meat.

Another great point for sightseeing is that you can enjoy all the traditional foods of Aizu.

Tsuruga Main Store＜Information＞

Google Map

Sakashita Drive-in

This is a restaurant where you can enjoy reasonably priced and delicious horse meat dishes in Aizu Sakashita Town, where the food culture of horse meat and horse sashimi is deeply rooted. You can enjoy a variety of horse meat dishes such as horse sashimi, cherry blossom steak, and stewed horse meat. You can also purchase horse meat at the attached meat store (Hori Shoten).

Sakashita Drive-in <Information>

  • Name: Sakashita Drive-in
  • Address: 446 Kawajiri, Furumachi Kawajiri, Aizu Sakashita-cho, Kawanuma-gun, Fukushima 969-6549
  • Business hours: 11:00-21:00
  • Holidays: No holidays (except New Year's Day)
  • gourmet site

Google Map

Yoshishita

This is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy quality horse meat dishes at reasonable prices, such as horse sashimi, cherry blossom hotpot, and nigiri sushi made with cherry blossom meat. At night, you can enjoy adult time with delicious local sake from Aizu, so it has a different charm than lunch. Why not enjoy a horse meat feast with your loved one?

Yoshishita＜Information＞

  • Name: Yoshishita
  • Address: 5-14 Higashieicho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 965-0872
  • Business hours: 11:00-14:00 / 17:00-22:00
  • Holidays: Irregular holidays (mainly Sundays)
  • gourmet site

Google Map

summary

This time, we introduced "Basashi", a hidden specialty of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture.

Horse meat has formed an important part of the food culture of the Aizu region since the days when it flourished as a transportation hub. Aizu horse sashimi, made with light, flavorful red meat and special miso, is so delicious that it goes smoothly with both alcohol and rice. Why not try it when you visit Aizu?

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