"Oden" originally spread as a food stall in the town of Edo. The flavorful ingredients and the rich dashi broth are delicious. Among these oden, "Shizuoka oden" has a slightly unusual appearance. In this article, we will introduce the characteristics and history of Shizuoka oden, a beloved local soul food, and how to eat it deliciously.

Why is Shizuoka oden black? What are its characteristics?

The main feature of Shizuoka oden is its rich, dark-colored soup.

This is made by adding dark soy sauce to a broth made from beef tendons and pork offal. Because it is added daily, the color of the oden gradually gets darker.

When you hear that, Shizuoka oden may seem strong at first glance, but when you eat it, it's actually surprisingly light, with the mellow taste of the dashi stock.

In addition to the above, Shizuoka oden has the following characteristics:

• It contains black fish cakes.

• On a skewer

• Eat it with green laver or dried shavings.

Also, while oden is often thought of as something served at izakayas, in Shizuoka it is even sold at sweet shops near schools.

The oden, which can be purchased at a reasonable price and is individually skewered, is apparently a popular snack among students.

Oden is popular among students, but why does it have so many differences from regular oden? The answer is deeply connected to the history of Shizuoka oden.

The history and origins of Shizuoka oden

The history of Shizuoka oden dates back to the Taisho era, but it wasn't until shortly after the war that it began to have its own unique characteristics.

At the time, beef tendons and pork offal were not widely used, but when they were added as ingredients to oden, it quickly became popular.
In addition, Shizuoka was a major producer of fish paste, and people would add these to oden, which is said to be the reason why Shizuoka oden has developed its own unique characteristics.

Also, in the 1950s, over 100 oden stalls lined the city center, making it a place of relaxation for people returning home from work to relieve their daily fatigue.

Currently, there are two oden districts near Showa-dori: Aoba Oden Street and Aoba Yokocho.
The red lanterns and orange light create a very charming Showa retro atmosphere.

The restaurant is large enough to seat 10 people, so it's fun to wander around the various smaller shops.

How to make Shizuoka oden

From here, we will introduce how to make Shizuoka oden. First, make a stock using boiled beef tendons and dried bonito flakes, then add the oden ingredients, sugar, mirin, dark soy sauce, sake, etc. in a deep pot and simmer over low heat for about 2 to 3 hours.

At first glance, the process seems simple, but the beef tendons are boiled two or three times before use, and other careful preparations are required to preserve the distinctive flavor.

In addition, the ingredients of Shizuoka oden are mostly paste products such as black fish cake, deep-fried tofu, small burdock, and chikuwa, and the types are diverse, including konjac, radish, kelp, and eggs.

It will also be delicious if you add pork offal, fried tofu, naruto, takara bag, potatoes, etc.

The delicious way to eat Shizuoka oden and its appeal

Oden with hot ingredients and plenty of sauce.
It is generally served with mustard.

On the other hand, Shizuoka oden is served with green laver, dried bonito flakes, miso, etc. The fragrant green laver and dried bonito flakes go perfectly with the mellow-tasting soup.

Also, one of the most popular ingredients is "black fish cake."
It is actually a fish paste made from mackerel and sardines, and 90% of it is consumed within the prefecture.

"Kurohanpen" is made by grinding up the whole bones and skin, and is characterized by its black color. When added to oden, it enhances the depth of flavor. If you come across it in the area, be sure to give it a try.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Shizuoka City

From here, we will introduce some recommended spots in Shizuoka City.

The most famous shrine in Shizuoka City is Shizuoka Sengen Shrine.

This is the main shrine of Suruga Province and consists of three shrines: Kanbe Shrine, Asama Shrine, and Otoshimiyoya Shrine, and is also known locally as "Osengensama."

The brightly colored lacquered shrine building has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and due to its brilliant beauty it has also been nicknamed "The Nikko of Tokai."

Another popular spot is Sunpu Castle Park, located next to the Shizuoka Prefectural Government Office. It is famous as the castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu built it and moved to after retiring as shogun.

It has now been developed into a comprehensive park with plazas and other facilities, and there are many things to see throughout the area, including a restored tower that existed at the time.

Also, from the Mount Fuji Observation Lobby on the 21st floor of the prefectural office, you can get a panoramic view of the castle's remains, including the castle tower and the rectangular terrain. From outside the park, you can see the beautiful moat and stone walls, so be sure to stop by.

Access to Shizuoka City

From here, we will introduce how to access Shizuoka City.

Shizuoka city can be accessed by a variety of means, including train, car, and plane.
If you are traveling by train, it is convenient to use the JR Tokaido Shinkansen, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours (Tokyo, Nagoya) and about 2 to 2.5 hours (Osaka) from Tokyo, Nagoya, and Shin-Osaka stations, respectively.

If you are traveling by car, it is convenient to take the Tomei Expressway or the Shin-Tomei Expressway.

It takes about 2 hours from Tokyo IC to Shizuoka IC, and about 2 hours and 5 minutes from Nagoya IC to Shizuoka IC. If you use the Shin-Tomei Expressway, it takes about 2 hours from Tokyo IC to Shin-Shizuoka IC, and just under 2 hours from Nagoya IC to Shin-Shizuoka IC.

If you are traveling by plane, Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport is the departure and arrival point, and you can take a bus to JR Shizuoka Station, which takes about 50 minutes.
Please use this as a reference when traveling.

Location of Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced Shizuoka's local gourmet food, Shizuoka oden.

Shizuoka oden is enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults, and can be enjoyed in restaurants with a retro atmosphere, along with its distinctive ingredients, soup, and a wide variety of condiments.

Be sure to try this delicious local oden at a local restaurant.

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