Travel

Mentaiko Factory Draws Foodies

IBARAKI, Aug 08 (News On Japan) - A unique spot where visitors can taste freshly made mentaiko is 'Mentai Park', operated by the renowned mentaiko specialist 'Kanefuku,' Japan's first mentaiko-themed amusement park.

The most popular attraction at Mentai Park in Oarai, Ibaraki, is the free factory tour. Here, visitors can see the process of making mentaiko, from salting cod roe to sorting by grade and soaking in a special seasoning liquid made from various types of chili. The factory produces about 5 tons of mentaiko daily.

A visitor from Miyagi said, "It was fun and educational to see the various stages of mentaiko production."

Beyond the tour, visitors can also enjoy unique mentaiko dishes, such as a rice bowl featuring 'Tarapiyo', the park's mascot, and an onigiri filled with a whole piece of freshly made mentaiko.

A visitor from Tochigi said, "It was a bit spicy, but delicious."

In Yokohama, another popular factory tour focuses on shumai, a type of steamed dumpling made from pork and scallop.

'Sakiyoken', known for its signature shumai bento, offers visitors the chance to taste freshly made shumai.

An elementary school student from Yokohama said, "I took notes for my school project about the history of shumai bento and the amazing process of making them."

One highlight of the tour is watching the staff tie bento boxes at lightning speed.

Visitors also enjoy a free tasting set of shumai during the tour.

A visitor from Sagamihara said, "It was really delicious!" and added, "The staff in white coats waved back at us."

Akane Yamamoto from Sakiyoken's marketing department said, "We are fully booked three months in advance. It's an impressive experience, and visitors can see firsthand how many people are involved in making a single bento."

The travel magazine 'Jalan' highlights the popularity of factory tours due to their free admission and the unique experiences they offer. Many facilities have been renovated during the pandemic, making them even more attractive to visitors.

Source: ANN

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