Exploring Tsumago: Local Dishes and Traditional Recipes

Tsumago Local Cuisine: A Gastronomic Exploration

Tsumago, a picturesque post town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is not only known for its well-preserved Edo period architecture but also for its traditional cuisine rooted in local ingredients and culinary heritage. Here is a guide to the local dishes and traditional recipes you must try when visiting Tsumago.

Tsumago Delicacies:

One of the most famous dishes in Tsumago is the Soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour and often served hot as a noodle soup or cold with a dipping sauce. The town's pristine water source is said to contribute to the exceptional flavor and texture of these noodles.

Shinshu Salmon is another culinary delight not to be missed in Tsumago. This freshwater fish is renowned for its delicate flavor and tender flesh, often prepared grilled or marinated in local seasonings.

Traditional Recipes:

For those looking to recreate Tsumago's flavors at home, here are a couple of traditional recipes to try:

Soba Noodle Soup:

• Ingredients: Buckwheat soba noodles, dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, scallions, nori seaweed, tempura flakes.
• Directions: Cook soba noodles according to package instructions. Heat dashi broth with soy sauce and mirin. Serve noodles in broth, topped with scallions, nori, and tempura flakes.

Grilled Shinshu Salmon:

• Ingredients: Shinshu salmon fillets, soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, grated ginger.
• Directions: Marinate salmon fillets in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and grated ginger. Grill until cooked through and serve hot.

Where to Eat:

When in Tsumago, be sure to visit the following establishments to savor authentic local cuisine:

• Yamaguchi Soba Restaurant: A family-owned eatery known for its delectable soba noodles prepared in-house daily.
• Nakamura Ryokan: A traditional inn that serves a variety of regional dishes, including Shinshu salmon prepared according to age-old recipes.