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If you’re visiting Higashi-Matsuyama, trying their iconic **Yakitori** is a must! A standout choice is the **Pork Kashira**—a skewer of pork head meat paired perfectly with sweet long onions. The unique texture of the pork head and the sweetness of the onions are elevated by a hint of spicy miso sauce. Pair this delicacy with a cold beer for the ultimate local experience. Each shop offers its own distinctive flavor, so explore a few to find your favorite!
Don’t miss out on Kitamoto’s famous **Tomato Curry**, a signature dish created by “Miori Udon” that gained fame after winning the Saitama B-Grade Local Gourmet King finals in 2011. This dish blends the tanginess of tomatoes with rich curry spices and is topped with two mini-tomato meatballs. These meatballs burst with the juiciness and sweetness of Kitamoto’s local tomatoes, making each bite unforgettable!
In Sugito, savor the deliciousness of the classic **Eel Box**. Among the best spots is **Takahashiya**, a historic establishment dating back to the Meiji Era and beloved by Kabuki actors. Their painstaking process of repeatedly grilling and steaming the eel, combined with hand-removal of bones, ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Topped with a 100-year-old sauce, this dish is a true masterpiece of flavor.
Fuubu and Kobayashi boast 20 orange farms where you can indulge in the freshest **Mikan oranges**. These oranges strike the perfect balance between sweet and sour, with a juiciness that feels like drinking! For just 800 yen, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat oranges on-site and take a bag home as a souvenir. Eating them freshly picked is an experience you don’t want to miss!
Nishikawaguchi has become a hotspot for authentic **Chinese cuisine**, thanks to its growing Chinese community. Among the standout eateries is **I-We-Shan**, frequently featured in Japanese media. Their specialties include dumplings made with Saitama Prefecture’s black pork and giant dumplings that locals line up for. Don’t miss their crispy, curry-flavored fried shrimp, “Marie,” which leaves an unforgettable impression with its fragrant, savory taste.
Sayama is renowned for **Sayama Tea**, one of Japan’s top three teas, known for its thick leaves and robust flavor. For the best souvenirs, visit **Furuya Garden**, a shop with over 150 years of history. They offer a variety of teas, including rare hand-picked and hand-burned options. Whether for gifts or your own enjoyment, Sayama tea is a perfect choice for tea lovers.
| Location | Specialty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Higashi-Matsuyama | Yakitori | Unique pork head skewers with spicy miso sauce, best with beer. |
| Kitamoto | Tomato Curry | Tomato meatballs in tangy, flavorful curry. |
| Sugito | Eel Box | Tender eel with a 100-year-old secret sauce. |
| Fuubu?Kobayashi | Mikan Oranges | Fresh, juicy oranges you can pick and eat on-site. |
| Nishikawaguchi | Chinese Cuisine | Specialty dumplings and curry-flavored fried shrimp. |
| Sayama | Sayama Tea | Historic teas with strong flavor, ideal for gifts. |