Fukushima Prefecture, which ranks third nationwide in terms of land area, features diverse climates and regional characteristics across its various areas. It is often divided into three areas from west to east: “Aizu,” “Nakadōri,” and “Hamadōri,” which faces the Pacific Ocean. The “Manshuku Hamano-kaze Bento” featured here is an ekiben packed with specialties from “Hamadōri,” a region rich in seafood.
When you remove the wrapping paper, you’ll see a bento box filled with a well-balanced assortment of seafood and mountain produce. Among these, the real eye-catcher is the Hamadori region’s specialty: “fried mehikari.” Although it’s a small fish, the flesh is surprisingly firm and springy, making for a very satisfying bite. Since this is an ingredient unique to the Hamadori region—the only part of Fukushima Prefecture that faces the sea—it’s safe to say that this mehikari is the star of the show.
Beneath the lightly salted kamayage shirasu and the subtly sweet shredded omelet lies a bed of nori from the Joban region. The rice is reportedly “Hitomebore” from Fukushima Prefecture, and it was absolutely delicious. Personally, no matter how luxurious the ingredients may be, if the rice isn’t good, it ruins the whole experience for me, so having truly delicious rice is a crucial factor. The strong tartness of the accompanying umeboshi also serves as a nice accent.
While the seafood is grouped on the right side of the bento box, the left side features sukiyaki, a meat dish. The sukiyaki made with beef from Fukushima Prefecture has a fairly sweet flavor. The large green onions, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and slightly crunchy carrots each had their own distinct presence, and it was absolutely delicious.
With an abundance of ingredients from both the sea and the mountains—including sour, salty, and sweet flavors—you can enjoy a wide variety of tastes in a single ekiben. Incidentally, this ekiben is a limited-time offering released as part of the “Fukushima Destination Campaign,” a tourism campaign currently being held through a joint effort between the JR Group, the prefecture, municipalities, and local tourism organizations. Actually, this campaign ends at the end of June. Although I’m introducing it now when there’s only a little time left, it’s reportedly available not only at NewDays stores at major stations throughout Fukushima Prefecture but also at the “Matsuri” ekiben shop in Gransta Tokyo at Tokyo Station, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out this weekend!
© Source travel watch