While most ekiben are dominated by meat or fish dishes such as tonkatsu (pork cutlet), the “Yuba Chirashi Sushi” introduced here is a healthy bento that features Nikko’s specialty, yuba (yuba), as the main ingredient. The company behind this dish is Aburagen, a long-established confectionary store that has been serving Rinnoji Temple on Nikko Mountain since the 6th year of the Ansei Era (1615-1868).
Yuba” is often written as “yuba,” but in Nikko it is written as yunami. In fact, the method of making yuba is slightly different. Yuba found in Kyoto and other places is made by scooping up only one layer of the film formed in warm soy milk, while yuba in Nikko is made by pulling up two layers of the film. Because of this difference, yuba is thinner and more delicate in flavor, while yunami is thicker and more satisfying.
In fact, the yunami on top of the Tochigi vinegared rice is so thick and the soybean taste so rich and satisfying that it is healthy, yet has plenty of presence as the star of the dish. Incidentally, the combination of vinegared rice is lightly seasoned.
On top of the yunami are chewy fu, ginkgo nuts, shrimp, and omelette. The simmered dishes include thick shiitake mushrooms, large bamboo shoots, slightly sweet carrots, string beans, and kyarabuki. Although the overall lineup gives the impression of being healthy, each dish has a large presence and, like the yunami, is filling, so you will not feel short-changed at all. The sweet pickled ginger and yuzu-scented daikon namasu are also very effective as accents.
The chopstick bag has a design of “SL Taiki,” a sightseeing train connecting Shimoi Imaichi to Kinugawa Onsen Station. The “SL Taiki Futara” also runs to Tobu Nikko Station, and it is nice to be able to feel a little bit of the travel spirit in such a place.
© Source travel watch