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A local dish in Fukui “Volga Rice”

2017.09.24

When you think about popular local dishes in Fukui, I guess the first one you think of
is “Pork cutlet with sauce topped on rice”. In Fukui, there are other popular local dishes
such as “Buckwheat noodles with grated radish”, “Salted mackerel in rice-bean paste”
and “Grilled mackerel sushi”. But today, I will introduce the “Volga Rice”. Volga Rice
is a kind of a rice omelet topped with pork cutlet. There are many theories about the
origin of the name. For example, it’s from the Volga in Russia or Volgana Village in Italy etc.

I went to the most popular restaurant for Volga Rice “Yokogawa Bunten” in Echizen City.
In fact, I ate the Volga Rice for the first time on the day.

Yokogawa Bunten is located just in front of Soja Daijingu Shrine.
It may be hard to find for people coming for the first time but you can park in the precincts or in front of the restaurant. If both are full, you can park in free city-run parking lot.

Yokogawa Bunten opens at 11:30 a.m.
I arrived at the Yokogawa Bunten early and strolled in the precincts. I used to come there
in my high school days. As far as I remember, the precincts were more spacious but
now they look relatively small.

When it opens, a female staff called me “Please come in”. She was friendly and it made
me feel relaxed. And then two women came over and I asked them “Where do you come from?” They came from Tokyo and Nagoya but their hometown is Shirayama, Echizen City. Also, we graduated from the same high school. We had much in common and had lunch together.

Their aged parents are in nursing homes and they visit hometown to see them on the same day at least once a month. I asked them “Is Fukui a good place for you?” and they said “Of course, it is great. We think so year by year. After all, it has few natural disasters and doesn’t snow much recently. But fresh food is a little expensive.” I was surprised to hear that few disasters and high prices. Indeed, I am living in Fukui, on the contrary, there might be invisible parts.

By the way, the Volga Rice was different from what I expected. Actually, I imagined a big volume but it was quite plane, the portion was right, the cutlet was thin and soft and the tomato sauce was good. I recommend a large portion for men. Writing this makes me feel eat it again.

You can eat Volga Rice in many restaurants and cafes in Echizen City.
Each restaurant or cafe has its own recipe, so why don’t you find your favorite Volga Rice?
(H.S)
Seven recommended restaurants and cafes for Volga Rice in Echizen City

The entrance of Yokogawa Bunten

Inside Yokogawa Bunten

Here is the Volga Rice!
Looks good, doesn’t it?

A flag of Volga Rice is hanging under its eaves.

Soft-serve ice cream of “Milk Club, I am Lovely” from Lovely Ranch

2017.09.17

Gourmet

Today, I will introduce a small soft-serve ice cream shop in front of Seibu Department Store in Fukui City. Their soft-serve ice creams are made from milk of rare Jersey cattle in Japan, which is from the Lovely Ranch in Katsuyama City.
You can enjoy a nice taste of plain-milk. On the other hand, it has light taste so it is recommended for calorie-conscious women. They also have cream puffs, crapes and drinks.

By the way, if you come to Fukui from other prefectures to visit Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum or Hakusan Heisenji Shrine, “Milk Tea House”, the directly-managed store of the Lovely Ranch, which is in the free parking lot of Katsuyama Castle, is a must-stop. （H.S)

Lovely soft-serve ice cream (mini cup)
Of course, you can choose in a cone.

Their shop plate with a cute cow makes you warm fuzzy feeling.

The appearance of the shop.
Also, vegetables are sold at the side of the shop.

Local food of Fukui I had during my Bon holiday

2017.09.04

Gourmet

Although it’s September already, I would like to write about local food I had during my Bon holiday in mid-August. I think that many people went out for dinner with the whole family
during the Bon holidays. I also went out for dinner with family in a soba and tempura restaurant near my house. Here are some local food of Fukui they served. (H.S)

“Dengaku of Yoshikawa eggplant”
Originally, Yoshikawa eggplants used to grow in Yoshikawa district, Sabae City.
Yoshikawa eggplants are big and round, which have 1,400 years of history.
According to one estimate, it is thought that they are an origin of Kamo eggplants in Kyoto.

“Deep-fried tofu of Fukui”
It is a regular item in Fukui.
I often have it in the refrigerator too.
In Fukui, “Deep-fried tofu of Takeda” is popular but I still remember the taste
of the deep-fried tofu of a tofu shop where was next door to my house when I was a child.

“Thick new buckwheat noodles made from 100% buckwheat flour with grated radish”
Normally, buckwheat is harvested in autumn, so summer new buckwheat noodles are rare.

“White peach sherbet”
It’s a dessert. Although I don’t think the peach is from Fukui, the topping of
buckwheat berries is like a buckwheat noodles restaurant.
　　　

Recommendation of lunch buffet at a hotel in Fukui City “Bonheur”

2017.08.10

Gourmet

Having delicious lunch over chatting may be one of the greatest pleasures for women.
When you want to enjoy lunch leisurely with a friend you see after so long, I recommend
lunch at hotels. Because it is quiet, you can have the feeling of luxury a little and receive
quality service.

In Fukui, I recommend a French Restaurant “Bonheur” on the third floor of Yours Hotel
Fukui in front of JR Fukui Station, which is familiar to people in Fukui.

All of their lunch menus has salad buffet and dessert buffet, so you can eat many kinds in small portions. Lately, they also serve now popular super food such as quinoa.

*Examples of their lunch menus
Monthly special Bonheur lunch 2,500 yen
Daily special March lunch 1,500 yen (limited number)
Pasta lunch 1,340 yen
Beef in red wine sauce 1,890 yen
Seafood lunch 1,890 yen
Wakasa Beef humburger steak 1,890 yen

They open from 11:00 – 14:30 for lunch(weekends and holidays 11:00 – 16:00), so you can take your time to enjoy lunch and dessert too. I think it’s better to reserve a table.
You can meet friends on the lobby of the third floor, so it’s convenient.
Parking available. The hotel’s underground car park is for only hotel guests but you can
park Fukui Station West Gate underground car park and the hotel will give you
a free parking ticket for an hour.

For your information, I also recommend their girls’ night out dinner plan.
If you make a reservation it via the Internet, you receive special privileges. (H.S)

The day I had the March lunch. Its main dish was pork saute with orange sauce.

Traditional Kyoto town house-style izakaya in Fukui City “Kobu”

2017.05.22

Gourmet

I went to the izakaya “Kobu” as it was my friend’s recommendation.
“Kobu” has just opened last year in Katamachi, where is the busiest restaurant area
in Fukui City.

I opened the door, which was only a store curtain hung and I almost missed it though,
there was a narrow and deep hall way that can be seen at town houses in Kyoto.

The closer space is for the counter seats and there is a Japanese-style room at the back.
The interior is modern Japanese-style.
It is sophisticated but not too exclusive and they give family-like service so I felt comfortable.

As they have a lot of sake and wine, I recommend Kobu to enjoy meals with drinks
and have relaxing time with friends. （H.S)

The entrance (from their Facebook page)