Local Foods

Foods Yamagata is Famous For

Yamagata is a breadbasket for Japan and the world, so there are lots of fresh delicious fruits and vegetables grown at local farms in Yamagata. In addition to this fresh produce, Yamagata is also famous for a number of foods that you should try when you get here. Take a look at the pictures below to get a taste of what is to come.

Imoni

Imoni is a delicious stew that Yamagata locals enjoy in the autumn, usually at parties held by the riverside. Imoni is made with beef, onion, konyaku (see below), and seasoned with soy sauce, sugar and Japanese cooking alcohol. The taste is sweet and delicious. There are annual imoni parties which you shouldn't miss.

Soba

Soba, or "buckwheat noodles" is another Yamagata tradition. Served cold, the noodles are dipped in a blend of water and soy sauce. It is possible to enjoy Soba while taking trips across Yamagata prefecture because there are many famous shops located everywhere. But you can also easily make this dish yourself by buying a package of the noodles at your local grocery store. Adding wasabi spice and some deep fried prawns and mountain vegetables is a great way to eat Soba. If you have the chance, please stop by one of the fields where soba is grown to get a look at where these wheat noodles come from.

Cold Ramen

Ramen is of course famous throughout Japan, and depending on the locality you can get a different taste. Yamagata is no different, so there are tons of ramen shops around Yamagata City, each with their distinct qualities. One dish that is unique to Yamagata, however, is ramen served cold. Available in the summertime when temperatures soar, this cold ramen can be a life saver. The noodles are boiled as with normal ramen - but instead of the traditional style of throwing the noodles into a hot soup blend, the noodles are run through cold water and an ice bath. The idea of eating ramen cold may seem strange, but this cold ramen is actually quite good.

Tama konnyaku

The experience and taste of konnyaku is a little hard to describe. The words "rubbery" and "flavorless" do come to mind, but you will have to try it out and see for yourself. In any case, this food, served at festivals and tourist attractions is a cheap, snack food which many Yamagata locals like. Konnyaku is also used as an ingredient in other common Japanese dishes, like shabu shabu and imoni.

Tsuyahime Rice

This rice, grown locally in fields in Yamagata Prefecture is famous for being delicious. In addition, because of the production process, apparently this rice doesn't need to be washed before you cook it, removing a sometimes hassling step from the process of making rice. The convenience is reflected in the more expensive price tag. If you get the chance you should do a taste-test comparison and find out if the rice is truly worth it's price tag.

Cherries
Cherries grown locally in Yamagata Prefecture are incredibly delicious. With a variety of types and tastes that differ depending on the farm they come from, Yamagata cherries are a must-eat summertime food. Certain farms in the area host sakuranbogari, where you can enjoy all-you-can-eat cherries for a set time limit if you pay the entry price (usually about 2,000 yen). It is a type of event that may seem  hard to imagine if you are first hearing about it, but that is all the more reason for you to find a way to get out there with your friends and experience it for yourself.

La France Pears

Pears in Yamagata are referred to as "La France". I've never figured out why just yet, but in any case these pears are perhaps the best you will ever eat. They can be purchased at the local grocery store or from gourmet fruit suppliers for a price. But perhaps one of your co-workers or friends will have a La France connection, so you may be able to enjoy this pear for free.