EATING IN YUZAWA WITH UPALAT KORWATANASAKUL

I have been living and traveling around Japan for almost a decade. My passion for cooking and food is second to none. I have worked as a freelance translator, interpreter, and writer since 2009. In 2017, I published my first book about Japanese food and traveling tips, “Adventure Japan”.

I have been thinking that I would like to write a series of articles about washoku in Japan’s local areas. “Eating in … with Upalat Korwatanasakul” is a guide on where to find delicious kokyou ryouri (local dishes) around Japan.

Mirakuchaya (味らく茶や)

This restaurant is located in front of the west exit of Echigoyuzawa train station. It is home to one of the most amazing kokyou ryouri experiences in Niigata. I found this place by chance when I was on the way home from Fuji Rock Festival last month. The restaurant is owned and operated by a local family. As soon as I entered the restaurant I felt right at home; the mother was busy cooking in the kitchen while the son kindly explained to me about their specialities menu. He was so welcoming and deeply passionate about the cuisine of his homeland. Mirakuchaya offers the best kenchin jiru, a traditional vegan soup created originally as Buddhist temple cuisine. The ingredients include white radish, carrot, green beans, soya beans, konjac, and kuruma fu (cylinder-shaped wheat gluten). Kuruma fu is finely crafted into a kakuni (braised pork belly) shape, and mashed soya beans are magically transformed into chicken pieces. This is where you can find proper kokyou ryouri while enjoying ofukuro ryouri (comfort food) that brings back your childhood memories.