[Kumagaya, Saitama] Enjoy Ingredients of the No.1 “Hotspot” in Japan Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Mar 31 2022

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Saitama

[Kumagaya, Saitama] Enjoy Ingredients of the No.1 “Hotspot” in Japan

Saitama prefecture is located at the center of the Kanto region and can be accessed fairly easily by train or car from Tokyo. Being rich with natural resources, varieties of products such as green onions, spinach, and cucumbers are harvested in this area. This time, we visited Kumagaya in Saitama, to learn about its agricultural products. The city is also famously known for being the hottest during summer in Japan. In this article, two of the splendid ingredients grown in Kumagaya will be introduced.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Saitama.

Endō Farm | The Traditional Japanese Umami of Green Onion

Endō Farm | Enjoy the Traditional Japanese Umami of Green Onion

Endō Farm is a farm established along Tonegawa River and cultivates over 50 vegetables such as green onions, yam, and even honey. The green onion raised on this farm is the closest variety to the traditional Japanese onion and although the size is uneven compared to the normal ones, it has a very sweet and unique taste.

The harvested green onion is thick and barbecuing it reveals the sweet and soft characteristics. This tastefulness of the freshly-picked onion can only be enjoyed at the direct sales store in Kumagaya. The farmer also has provided us with simply cooked dishes such as miso soup and deep-fried tempura. The savoriness amplifies even more after it is cooked!

Inakappe | The Collaboration Between Endō Farm's Green Onions and Udon Restaurant Loved by the Local Resident for 50 Years

Inakappe | The Collaboration Between Green Onions and Udon Restaurant Loved by the Local Resident for 50 Years

Our editorial team brought Endō Farm’s green onions to Inakappe to have them cooked. Inakappe is a restaurant with 50 years of history. With 15 seats, the restaurant has since maintained the technique of dipping udon noodles succeeded by the first owner.

The salty handmade soup and sweet green onions blend perfectly with the chewy udon and become an unforgettable taste in your mouth! The unique-flavored soup complements the thick and chewy handmade udon and will surely be enjoyed among both the residents and tourists. This unchanging taste of udon is deeply loved by the local residents since its opening.

TATA | Popular Sweet Potato Restaurant

All of the products provided by TATA use sweet potatoes from Kōnan area in Kumagaya. The soil of the Kōnan plateau is perfect for cultivating sweet potatoes. For selling and producing sweet potatoes, TATA has a history of receiving an award from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

As the leading sweet potato farmer in Saitama, the owner of TATA uses the popular seedling of Onuma Farm and Ishizaki Farm to provide high-quality sweet potatoes. The sweet potato restaurant processes it to make it even more tasteful and is especially popular among local ladies.

If you have the opportunity to visit the restaurant, you’ve got to try the baked sweet potato! The slowly baked potato melts inside the mouth along with the soft texture and sweet taste.

There are two types of dried sweet potatoes sold at TATA: flat-dried or baked-dried. As for the flat-dried, the steaming time differs depending on the season and the producer quickly manufactures it. The defining quality of TATA’s flat-dried sweet potato is its beautiful color and sweetness. On the other hand, the baked-dried sweet potato requires more than two hours of baking. TATA has been working on this baked-dried potato for more than 8 years, and because it takes time and effort, there are few stores that sell this product. Both types of dried sweet potatoes are their staple products.

The baked sweet potato ice cream is also a great choice. The sweet potato is coated with ice cream and the hot and cold sweetness complements each other perfectly. Its unique taste will surely be enjoyed by all ages!

Although Kumagaya is famous for being the hottest city in Japan, the area is blessed with varieties of tasteful ingredients. If you ever have a chance to visit Saitama prefecture, surely go to Kumagaya for its exquisite local specialties!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.