5 Must Eat Fall Foods
Autumn is known as ‘shokuyoku no aki’, meaning that this is the best season to eat, eat and eat some more! Here are the top 5 seasonal foods that you have to try in Japan!
Chestnut
Chestnuts are synonymous with the fall season
Try them roasted, for that subtle earthy flavour or in a more traditional Japanese preparation, with kurigohan (chestnut rice), or kurikinton (chestnut paste, made into a chestnut shaped sweet)
The most iconic chestnut dish of all might just be montblanc, which although originally from France, is now more popular in Japan than almost anywhere else in the world
Where to try: It’s hard to find a cake store not selling montblanc in autumn, but for the original made in Japan montblanc (less sweet, and more sponge than the French version) try Mont Blanc in Jiyugaoka.
Nihonshu (sake)
Although now thanks to modern technology nihonshu is released throughout the year, before refrigeration, autumn used to be when the year’s batch of nihonshu was ready to drink for the first time!
Hirayoshi autumn sake is pasteurized in spring, aged over summer, developing a mellow and well rounded taste, to enjoy with other autumn foods.
Where to try: Experience a unique sake tasting event with seasonal nihonshu at Tonoike Sake Brewery in Tochigi.
Sweet Potatoes
Autumn is the season of ‘hoka hoka’, fluffy and steaming warm sweet potatoes
For those who prefer to have their sweet potatoes in a less potato-y form, try chilled sweet potato tarts, imo kenpi sweet potato sticks and sweet potato chips (FYI our favourite are the salty butter flavoured UHA Mikakuto brand ones!)
Where to buy: Look out for roasted potato trucks or stands on the streets! You’ll usually be able to hear them through their distinctive ‘yaki imo’ call! Otherwise most supermarkets and even Donki Quijote will have a roasted sweet potato case.
Mushrooms
Although matsutake are known as the king of mushrooms and often mentioned in autumn food lists, ALL mushrooms are especially delicious in autumn
There’s nothing quite like a crisp maitake tempura with your soba, or mushroom nabe bubbling away on the table
For a bit of luxury try a matsutake dobin mushi, made of matsutake, chicken and a gentle broth cooked in a teapot
Where to try: For those who are a bit more hesitant to try all these different types of mushrooms head to izakaya masaka for the out of this world fried maitake (bonus points for being all vegan)
Apples
When the leaves start turning, it means that apple season in Japan is upon us
During this time you’ll see all sorts of varieties of apples popping out, from the biggest and reddest fuji apples to green orin apples
Try Japanese apples in apple pie, as apple chips, apple juice and just as is
Where to try: Head to Kurioshi and have a go at picking these fruits yourself. If you’ve missed out, don’t worry, you can buy a variety of different apple juices and products from the Aomori antenna shop
More autumn!
We've also got a handy guide for the best places to view autumn foliage!
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