Ryugasaki Fair Celebrates Local Rice and Tomatoes at Saito Corporation Restaurants

Celebrating the Ryugasaki Fair: A Taste of Local Agriculture

From February 25 to March 21, Saito Corporation is partnering with Ryugasaki City in Ibaraki Prefecture to host the Ryugasaki Fair across its various restaurants in Tokyo. This event aims to highlight the unique agricultural offerings of Ryugasaki, especially focusing on the locally grown rice and tomatoes, allowing people to appreciate the depth and flavor of these regional products.

The Ryugasaki Fair is not just any food festival; it serves to showcase the quality of Ryugasaki's agricultural produce, which is particularly celebrated for its delicious Koshihikari rice and juicy Ryugasaki tomatoes. This initiative has grown since last year, aligning with the seasonal harvest of Ryugasaki tomatoes, thereby enhancing awareness and demand for these products.

Delicious Offerings at Saito’s Restaurants

During the fair, five outlets of the renowned Tonkatsu restaurant, Fuji Ki, will feature Ryugasaki Koshihikari rice on their menus. The rice is known for its large grains and sweetness, making it the perfect companion for the perfectly fried Tonkatsu. The chefs at Fuji Ki pay meticulous attention to every rice grain from washing to soaking, ensuring the best flavor and texture. Customers can relish the unique experience of enjoying freshly cooked Koshihikari rice alongside delicious Tonkatsu during this festive period.

Fuji Ki Tonkatsu

In addition to Fuji Ki, six Chinese restaurants, including Hong Tiger Gyoza House, will offer special dishes featuring Ryugasaki tomatoes, notably the popular Tomato Dandan Noodles. This dish has gained immense popularity among families and women, and the fair will introduce a unique recipe that showcases a whole Ryugasaki tomato, bringing a delightful twist to this traditional favorite.

The secret behind this dish is the rich sesame-flavored broth enhanced with tomato sauce. Diners are encouraged to break the whole tomato while eating, allowing the robust flavors to meld beautifully, creating a spicy yet mild culinary experience.

Expanding the Reach of Ryugasaki Tomatoes

With last year’s fair limited to just three venues, this year’s expansion to six will enable a broader audience to relish the exceptional taste of Ryugasaki tomatoes. The positive feedback from patrons at the Ryugasaki Kitchen Komekatomato in Shibuya has motivated more locations to join in and promote this delightful dish. The synergy created through these collaborations further enhances the reputation of Ryugasaki as a gastronomic destination.

Where to Enjoy the Treats

The fair will see select establishments feature these wonderful offerings:

Koshihikari Rice Locations

1. Fuji Ki Ningyocho - 1-5-14 Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
2. Fuji Ki Bakurocho - 1-6-4 Bakurocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
3. Fuji Ki Nakameguro - 2-21-13 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
4. Fuji Ki Ikebukuro - 3-4-9 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
5. Fuji Ki Ogikubo - 1-4-6 Kamiyama, Suginami-ku, Tokyo

Ryugasaki Tomato Locations

1. Aoi Gohan Premium Outlet - 1-1 Yoshihara 4, Ami Premium Outlet, Ibaraki
2. Hong Tiger Gyoza House Tsukuba - 1F Ion Mall Tsukuba, 66-1 Inaochi, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki
3. Hong Tiger Gyoza House Mito - 1F Ion Mall Mito Uehara, 2-1 Uehara, Mito City, Ibaraki
4. Golden Tiger Shibuya - 37-35 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
5. Golden Tiger Roppongi - 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
6. Aoshoryu Roppongi - 1F Yonekyu Building, 7-17-16 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Discovering Ryugasaki City

Ryugasaki City, located in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, is famed for its rich rice cultivation, with approximately 30% of its land dedicated to rice paddies. The area boasts a beautiful natural environment while being conveniently located just 50 minutes from Tokyo, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds: urban comfort and serene landscapes.

As the Ryugasaki Fair unfolds, it not only highlights the culinary traditions of the area but also strengthens community ties and promotes local agriculture.

Join in on this flavorful journey from February 25 to March 21 and savor the distinctive tastes of Ryugasaki!