In Yamanashi, there is a culture of eating udon in places that make tourists go, “Wait, isn’t this just a private house?”
Honestly, they are pretty much just private houses🏠.
Many udon shops operate by renovating the first floor of a private home in Yamanashi.
Why are there so many house-like shops?
Yamanashi’s famous “Yoshida no Udon” has a strong history of starting as home-cooked meals served from actual homes that eventually turned into shops.
Because of that history, even though they are “shops,” many are just modified living rooms. The style where you enter through the front entrance (genkan) just like a regular house still remains today.
So, what’s it like?
When you go inside, the tatami mats, kotatsu tables, and sliding doors (fusuma) are really just there as they were😮.
It is almost like an old traditional Japanese house🏯.
You often eat sitting on the tatami floor.
In that case, you might have to take off your shoes👟→🧦.
Please look around and copy what others are doing!
Unique points of Yoshida no Udon
The noodles are super thick and hard💪.
The texture is kind of dense and chewy.
The seasoning is simple.
Some shops even use horse meat.
Tourist Reactions
“Is this really a shop?”
“The experience of going into someone’s house to eat udon is just too rare.”
It’s a type of gourmet food that gives you culture shock.
It’s a culture that surprises even Japanese people. When I went, there were students eating there too.
Is the taste actually good?
If you like the smooth noodles of Marugame Udon, eating this might be tough for you😅.
It’s an udon where people either love it or hate it.
If you order with the vibe of “I love Marugame Udon!”, there’s a possibility you won’t be able to finish it all by yourself⚠️.
As for toppings, you’re lucky if there is meat, but if there isn’t, I think it might be hard to eat until the end🥢.
Also, at authentic udon shops, the meat used is horse meat.
Summary: So, should I eat it or not?
If you are interested in Japanese private houses, it might be good to go give it a try🏠✨.
Also, the prices are on the cheaper side, so you can order with peace of mind💴.
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