Shizuoka's food cultureKnow

Unique to Shizuoka! A series introducing famous restaurants that offer surprising menus using ingredients from around the world.

This time, we'll be introducing the food at Wasabi, a Japanese restaurant located in Kikugawa City that has the feel of an izakaya. At ``Wasabi'', you can enjoy Shizuoka's local sake and many local specialties, so it is always crowded with local customers.


One of the most popular is the ``Tea Fried Chicken Wings''. When you hear "made with tea," you imagine what it is, but at first glance, it looks like fried chicken wings like any other. In fact, it is said that they use deep steamed tea from Kikugawa during the preparation stage. A rich, deep-steamed powdered tea purchased from a local tea shop. By washing the chicken wings in a rubbing motion, the odor of the chicken will be removed, and the synergistic effect with the tea ingredients will enhance the flavor.

``Deep steamed tea actually originated in Kikugawa.I thought it would be an opportunity to spread that knowledge even a little, so I devised this dish,'' says the owner, Mr. Terasawa. The finished product is crispy and fluffy. The sweet sauce mixes well and makes it addictive. A secret technique to make it taste more delicious than the usual "tea flavor". It is unique to Shizuoka that you can use tea in such a luxurious way.


Among the popular dishes that you can enjoy at "Wabi Jaku", one of the rare ones is gibier. Mr. Terasawa says he has obtained a hunter's license. On this day, a hunter I knew brought wild boar meat that he caught in Kikugawa. We offer the best cooking method depending on the condition of the meat, such as ``soft boiled'' or ``roasted.''

“I think there are still many people who don’t like wild game. However, I think that locally caught wild game has the potential to change that perception.”

Wild boars were originally treated as pests. When he heard that people had been shot and disposed of, he thought there was something he could do to make use of it.

``Even now, there are still many problems with processing and distribution, and it has not become common practice yet.If processed properly by people with the right knowledge, it can be as delicious as beef or pork.'' ``Since I have received a life, I want to continue to provide it with responsibility,'' says Terasawa.


Additionally, all of the local sake sold at Wasabi is from Shizuoka. We have 27 types of sake from all the sake breweries in the prefecture, and we prepare items according to the season. Nationally, it is said that local sake has become popular in Shizuoka due to the high quality of its water and yeast, but Mr. Terasawa says that even within the prefecture, there are areas that border the Tenryu River, Oigawa River, and Fuji River that have a unique taste. I think there is a difference.

``Sayogoromo'' from Morimoto Sake Brewery in Kikugawa City has a soft flavor.I think local sake from the Oigawa River has a similarly mellow taste.On the contrary, the Tenryu River and Fuji River have a sharp taste. Even though it's called ``Shizuoka water,'' each one is different, so there is a wide range of ways to enjoy it, such as pairing it with food or comparing drinks from the East, Central, and West.


Mr. Terasawa is originally from the former Sagara Town (currently Makinohara City). He was active as a chef in the prefecture, and was sometimes involved in product development for convenience stores. Taking advantage of his experience, he opened a store in Kikugawa City, his wife's hometown.

Most of the ingredients are purchased locally. They go to the fish market in Omaezaki City for seafood, and purchase vegetables directly from agricultural cooperatives and local farmers. ``The appeal of Shizuoka-grown ingredients is that you can get fresh ingredients, and the information about the producers is easy to understand.Sometimes I pick up vegetables and think, ``This is Mr. XX's vegetables.''When preparing dishes, I imagine the faces of the producers. I think it's a good thing that we can do that.''

From standard items to rare products from Shizuoka. Why not enjoy a wide range of Shizuoka's delights with local sake?

■ Store information
Wabi-sabi -wasabi-
Address: 1741-3 Hanzai, Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Telephone number: 0537-36-3636
HP:https://wasabi363636.shopinfo.jp/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/wasabi363636/