Tohoku gourmet

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

When you think of famous horse meat dishes and horse sashimi, what comes to mind? Actually,the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture is a hidden gem for horse meat dishes. It's a region where you can enjoy delicious horse sashimi.

This time, we will introduce recommended restaurants and butcher shops in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture where you can eat delicious horse meat dishes. Why not come and experience the exquisite taste of the meat, where the more you chew it, the more you can taste the umami?

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

Many people might think of Kumamoto Prefecture when they think of famous horse meat production areas. However,Fukushima Prefecture is the second largest producer of horse meat in Japan. Horse meat is such an integral part of daily life there that horse meat sashimi is sold regularly in local supermarkets.

It is thought that the horse meat culture took root in the Aizu region because it was once a key transportation hub. Horses supported people's lives when transporting goods and farming. In addition, the location of a horse auction ground in Aizubange Town may have been one of the reasons why horse meat was easy to obtain

Snowy scenery and horse-drawn carriage

Horse meat cuisine has a long history,people ate horse meat as early as the Boshin War. However, it seems that eating raw horse sashimi is a relatively recent phenomenon. It is thought that the widespread availability of refrigerators in the 1950s made it easier for people to enjoy fresh horse sashimi at home, leading to its popularity.

What is unique about Aizu horse sashimi? The secret to its deliciousness is the quality of the meat and the sauce

Aizu-style horse sashimiThe distinguishing features ofits lean meatandmiso sauce.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, marbled horse meat with a high fat content is preferred for horse sashimi. In contrast,Aizu prefers tender lean meat for horse sashimi, allowing you to enjoy a lighter, more delicate flavor.

Horse sashimi

The difference in meat comes from the type of horse used. In Kumamoto and Aomori prefectures, sturdy "heavy breed" horses used for farming are used, while in Aizu, slender "light breed" horses used for racing and riding are used

When eating Aizu horse sashimi, it is common to mix the special miso with soy sauce. The miso used for horse sashimi is mustard miso, which has a spicy kick from garlic and chili peppers. This salty and spicy flavor further enhances the umami of the lean meat

Aizu horse sashimi is low in fat, so even if you eat too much, it won't make you feel heavy. It's a popular dish that goes well with alcohol or rice

Enjoy delicious horse meat dishes! Introducing recommended restaurants in Aizu

Aizu horse sashimi is made with light, mild lean meat and a bold, spicy special mustard miso. We introduce three recommended restaurants in Aizu where you can enjoy delicious horse meat dishes

  • Tsuruga
  • Sakashita Drive-In
  • Yoshita

Aizu local cuisine and cherry blossom hotpot Tsuruga

This local cuisine restaurant has expanded to include locations in Fukushima Prefecture and Akasaka, Tokyo. You can enjoy the charms of horse meat to the fullest with dishes such as horse sashimi made with rare cuts like chateaubriand and mane, and sakura hotpot, which brings out the delicious flavor of horse meat

Another great thing about sightseeing is that you can sample a wide variety of Aizu's traditional foods

Tsuruga Main Store <Information>

  • Name: Tsuruga main store
  • Address: 4-21 Toeicho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0872
  • URL:https://turuga829.com/
  • Gourmet site

Google Map

Sakashita Drive-In

This restaurant serves reasonably priced and delicious horse meat dishes in Aizubange Town, where horse meat and horse sashimi are deeply rooted in the food culture. You can enjoy a variety of horse meat dishes, including horse sashimi, cherry steak, and stewed horse meat. You can also purchase horse meat at the attached butcher shop (Hori Shoten)

Sakashita Drive-In <Information>

  • Name: Sakashita Drive-in
  • Address: 446 Kawajiri, Kawajiri, Furumachi, Aizubange Town, Kawanuma District, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-6549
  • Business hours: 11:00-21:00
  • Holidays: Open daily (except New Year's Day)
  • Gourmet site

Google Map

Yoshita

This popular restaurant serves high-quality horse meat dishes at reasonable prices, including horse sashimi, sakura nabe (hot pot), and nigiri sushi made with sakura meat. In the evening, you can enjoy a sophisticated time with delicious Aizu local sake, which has a different appeal from lunch. Why not enjoy a feast of horse meat with someone special?

Yoshita <Information>

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

Google Map

summary

This time, we introduced horse sashimi, a hidden specialty of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture

Horse meat has been an important part of the Aizu region's food culture since the days when the area flourished as a key transportation hub. Aizu horse sashimi, which features lean, flavorful lean meat served with special miso, is so delicious it goes perfectly with both rice and sake. If you visit Aizu, why not give it a try?

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