Located in the Tohoku region of Honshu, Yamagata Prefecture is full of delicious foods and rich culture that are sure to satisfy both the palette and the curiosity of any traveling foodie.
Photo Credit: Hot Pepper 山形名物「冷やしラーメン」の誕生秘話＆正しい食べ方 – メシ通 | ホットペッパーグルメ
Hiyashi Ramen（冷やしラーメン）
One beloved dish from the Yamagata region is hiyashi ramen, known in English as cold ramen. This tasty noodle dish takes a spin on the traditional and beloved dish of ramen by serving it cold rather than hot. It’s served with summer toppings, such as cucumber, egg, and bean sprouts, to name a few.
This dish is perfect if you’re trying to combat the summer heat and also are craving the rich taste of a bowl of ramen. So be sure to keep this at the top of your list when visiting Yamagata prefecture.
Hippari Udon（ひっぱりうどん）
Another tasty noodle dish from Yamagata is hippari udon. This is a dish perfect for those who love the taste of natto, fermented soybeans, and also enjoy a bowl of udon. Hippari udon includes the delicious udon noodles, and pairs it with a delicious natto based dipping sauce.
This is the perfect dish for travelers wanting to try a combination of two Japanese traditional dishes: udon and natto. Be sure to give this dish a taste if you ever find yourself traveling to Yamagata prefecture!
Photo Credit: Jalan
Yonezawa Beef（米沢牛）
Japan is known for producing high-quality beef but it may not be as popularly known that Yamagata Prefecture also produces top-quality beef that they include in many of their dishes. There are an abundance of restaurants that serve Yonezawa beef, including BBQ, shabu-shabu, or sukiyaki.
This mouth-watering marbled beef, can satisfy the palette of any traveling foodie, so if you’re a meat lover then make sure that Yamagata Prefecture is on the top of your list of places to visit in Japan!
Photo Credit: Cocoyumeya 山形名物どんどん焼きのCoCo夢や｜イベントお祭り屋台・店舗販売・ネット通販
Dondon Yaki（どんどん焼き）
Dondon yaki is often referred to as a Yamagata-style okonomiyaki. This delicious dish is similar to okonomiyaki, topped with plenty of delicious toppings, just stuck on a stick, making a convenient to-go snack for any busy traveler.
If you ever find yourself in the need of a quick bite on the go, then dondon yaki is the food that you shouldn’t pass on!
Yamagata Dashi（山形だし）
Last on the list of must try foods in Yamagata, is a popular side dish called dashi. Although dashi in other parts of Japan refers to a broth, dashi in Yamagata prefecture is a dish of finely chopped up vegetables.
This side dish is often eaten with rice and is very popular amongst Yamagata locals. So if you’re looking to try a different type of dashi, then don’t miss out on the chance to eat this delicious side dish.
Yamagata prefecture is packed full of unique and tasty dishes that are sure to please anyone traveling to this region of Japan. If you’re looking to expand your palette, then be sure to have Yamagata as one of the regions you visit during your time in Japan!
Feature image by Hoko ひっぱりうどん | 株式会社宝幸
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