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Saitama Prefecture

Saitama no udon

Saitama no udon
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Main lore areas

All over the prefecture

Main ingredients used

wheat flour

History/origin/related events

Saitama Prefecture, which produced Aizo Gonda, who devoted himself to the development of high-yield cultivation methods that increased wheat yields by four to five times, such as "barley steeping," is one of the leading udon kingdoms in Japan. Udon production is the second largest in Japan (according to the "Annual Report on Statistical Survey on Production of Rice and Wheat Processed Foods" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2009), and although it has been decreasing compared to the past, it is still a major wheat-producing prefecture. In the past, wheat was widely grown in Saitama Prefecture as a back crop to rice. As a result, wheat has become a central part of the diet, and each region has developed a rich variety of foods using wheat. For example, in the northeastern part of the prefecture, udon noodles are handmade and have a strong and smooth texture; in the western part, udon noodles are served with dipping sauce and have a very strong texture and a brownish color; and in the central part of the prefecture, udon noodles are served along the riverside and are wide and chewy. The number of local dishes and "B-rank gourmet" foods that have taken root in the area since ancient times is said to number more than 20 in total. Today, in order to differentiate udon from other regions and express uniqueness, regional names and words that express characteristics are often added, but in the past, udon was almost always called "udon" in all regions.

Opportunities and times of eating habits

Udon has been eaten on various occasions, including weddings, funerals, and annual events, as well as as as a daily food for farmers who grow wheat.

How to eat

Add salt and water to wheat flour and knead well to a dough the consistency of earlobes. Let the dough rest and then stretch it with a rolling pin, adjusting the thickness and width according to the type of udon. Boil in boiling water until the noodles are transparent, then drain in a colander and serve with the respective dipping sauces. Some udon noodles are boiled together with vegetables and other ingredients.

Efforts for Preservation and Succession

Udon is made at home and also served at school lunches. It can also be enjoyed at restaurants, roadside stations, and direct sales of agricultural products in the prefecture.

RECIPE

Ingredients (For 5 persons)

  • Flour 500g
  • salt 10g
  • Water 200cc
  • Flour powder Appropriate amount
  • [Kaeshi] Soy sauce 500cc
  • [Kaeshi] Mirin 90cc
  • [Kaeshi] Sugar 90g
  • Dashi stock 2L

How to cook

  • 1. Combine the kaeshi and dashi stock for the soy sauce. The ratio is 1 part kareshi to 4 parts broth (to taste). [Kareshi] Dissolve mirin and sugar together over heat without boiling, then turn off the heat and add soy sauce. Add kombu (kelp) to water and bring to a boil over medium heat. After 2 to 3 minutes, remove from heat and strain through a colander.

  • 2. Place the sifted flour in a bowl, add the salt water, and gently combine the flour and water, lifting the flour slowly at first. Continue to lift the flour from the bottom and slowly drop it into the bowl.

  • 3. When the dough is the consistency of an earlobe, press the dough together with your weight and force, then place in a plastic bag and let rise at room temperature for about 2 hours.

  • 4. Roll out the dough evenly on a rolling board to a thickness of 3 to 4 mm using a rolling pin. Use enough flour at this point.

  • 5. After the dough has flattened out, fold the dough into a ball and cut it into 3 to 4 mm wide strips with a knife.

  • 6. Place the noodles in boiling water and boil for 8 to 12 minutes. When the noodles become clear, remove from the water and rinse immediately.

Recipe Arrangements

provider : Hometown Taste Traditions Saitama Hometown Traditions Cooking Collection

* Recipes vary depending on the region and home.

* This recipe video has been partially arranged to make it easier to cook at home.