哈囉(Hello)! I'm Chen from Taiwan. In my previous post, I talked about a trip to Magome-juku in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, which can be enjoyed by three generations of family members, as well as shared my thoughts in an interview about the challenges of living in Japan. This time, I'd like to introduce a local specialty dish from Okayama Prefecture.
■Do you know about Okayama Prefecture?
Okayama Prefecture is located just above Shikoku, bordered by Hiroshima to the west, Hyogo to the east, Tottori to the north, and Kagawa to the south. There are four of the 100 favorite castles in Japan (Kinojo Castle, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Okayama Castle, and Tsuyama Castle) and Korakuen Garden, one of the three famous gardens in Japan. For those who love Japan's nature and history, there are many attractive spots. However, unfortunately, I think many people from countries outside of Japan don't even know where Okayama is located. This is because foreign tourists visiting Japan typically go to the well-known tourist destinations, such as "Tokyo," "Osaka," "Kyoto," "Fukuoka," "Hokkaido," and "Okinawa." But among these foreign visitors, there are some who search for lesser-known destinations through social media, looking for places outside of the famous tourist spots. Therefore, this time, I would like to introduce "Ebimeshi," a local specialty dish of Okayama Prefecture that can only be enjoyed there.
■The reason why I would like to recommend “Ebimeshi”
"Ebimeshi," which is now considered a local dish of Okayama Prefecture, originally came from a curry rice specialty shop called "Indera" in Shibuya, Tokyo. The dish was created by Mr. Ide, who was working as a staff member at "Indera" at the time. He brought "Ebimeshi" back to his hometown of Okayama and introduced it there. Surprisingly, it became popular not in Tokyo but in Okayama, and now it is even considered a traditional dish of the prefecture. There are many famous local dishes in Japan, such as "Takoyaki" and "Okonomiyaki" from Osaka, "Motsunabe" from Fukuoka, and "Monjayaki" from Tokyo. These dishes can all be enjoyed in other regions with flavors close to the originals. However, "Ebimeshi" from Okayama is unique in that it can only be enjoyed here in Okayama Prefecture. So, if you're visiting Okayama, I highly recommend trying it!
Additionally, something that might not be widely known is that many Taiwanese people do not eat raw foods or beef. "Ebimeshi" does not contain beef, so even those who don't eat beef can enjoy it. The dish's savory flavor and sweetness are also very appealing to Taiwanese taste preferences. Once you try it, you're sure to fall in love with "Ebimeshi."
■This is the Place to go! The Charm of the Original Restaurant "Ebimeshiya"!
①The Original "Ebimeshi" Specialty Restaurant
This is the first restaurant opened by Mr. Ide, the CEO of the current "INDEIRA Corpration" in his hometown of Okayama, as I mentioned earlier. If you're visiting Okayama, be sure to try the original "Ebimeshi" at this specialty restaurant. By the way, the shrimp used at the restaurant are "Angel Shrimp," which are also famous as a brand of shrimp. This gives the original "Ebimeshi" a rich sweetness and umami that makes it absolutely delicious!
②A Gentle Taste that Contrasts with its Black Appearance!
"Ebimeshi" has black rice, so it may look like a rich and heavy fried rice dish. However, it is actually light and has a sweet, very mild flavor. (It is said that Okayama people prefer slightly sweeter flavors, which is why it is made that way.) The "Ebimeshi," made with a secret caramel sauce, is a favorite of my son, and just like the children of Okayama, he has grown up eating this restaurant's "Ebimeshi." I’m sure that even as an adult, when he thinks of the taste of his hometown, it will be this restaurant's "Ebimeshi."
③Delicious Western Dishes Beyond Ebimeshi!
While "Ebimeshi" is the signature dish at "Ebimeshiya," the restaurant is also famous for serving authentic Western cuisine. For example, the "Ebimeshi Plate," which combines "Ebimeshi" with various Western dishes, is popular with people of all ages. My personal favorite is the "Crab Cream Croquette Plate," which pairs my beloved crab cream croquettes with "Ebimeshi." Other popular dishes include the "Omu Ebimeshi," where "Ebimeshi" is topped with a secret black sauce and a soft egg, and a seasonal plate that combines creamy white curry with "Ebimeshi."
■Conclusion
How did you like the local specialty dish "Ebimeshi" from Okayama Prefecture that I introduced today? For the people of Okayama, it's almost considered a traditional dish, one that's eaten regularly. However, for people from outside the prefecture, it’s a hidden gem that many Japanese people aren’t even familiar with. When I first saw "Ebimeshi," I wondered, "What is this black rice? Can I really eat it?" But after the first bite, I was completely captivated, and it became one of my favorite dishes. I often go to "Ebimeshiya" with my family to enjoy it! So, please try it when you visit Okayama!