Ishinomaki-Yakisoba
ＹＡＫＩＳＯＢＡ, a common dish in Japan, is usually stir-fried yellow noodles with meat and vegetables in Worcester sauce. However,〝Ishinomaki Yakisoba noodles" is characterized by its brown noodles topped with a fried egg.〝 Ishinomaki Yakisoba noodles″ has been eaten in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture from around 1950. As a traditional food of the region, this dish is currently included in the school lunches provided to pupils in elementary schools in Ishinomaki City. The fried egg topping has the message of omotenashi, that is, showing hospitality, so it seems that when Ishinomaki Yakisoba is eaten at home, the fried egg is not included.
Now why are the noodles brown? The color is the distinct characteristic of Ishinomaki Yakisoba. You may think that the reason for the color is that a kind of sauce is kneaded into the noodles when they are made. However, that is not correct. The noodles are steamed once, then washed with water, and steamed once more. By steaming twice, the noodles change to a brown color and the noodles become plump by this process.
“Ishinomaki Yakisoba noodles” is beginning to gain nationwide attention because it was entered in the “B-1 Grand Prix”, a cooking contest for ordinary, inexpensive delicious dishes, and won a prize. So now, the dish is loved by many people.
You may also be interested to know that there is a group in Ishinomaki called Ishinomaki chairo (=brown) Yakisoba Academy that supports and promotes Ishinomaki Yakisoba. This group was started in 2008 by local noodle manufacturers and restaurant owners as well as other interested individuals in the community. Activities of the Academy include setting up food stalls at the B-1 Grand Prix contest and offering Ishinomaki Yakisoba cooking classes. The photo below is one of the president of Shimakin Shoten, a producer of Ishinomaki yakisoba and one of the original members of the Academy, making Ishinomaki Yakisoba to his out-of-town visitors. He is heavily involved in the Academy and wants the city of Ishinomaki to become more active and full of vigor through Ishinomaki Yakisoba.
Would you like to taste a prize-winning noodle dish? If so, you can go to the same place that is mentioned above.
“Fujiya shokudo”
2-3-17 Tachi-machi Ishinomaki-shi
Miyagi-Ken 986-0824,Japan
TEL：+81-225-63-4645
