Saru-dono,
I have a special favor to ask of you today.
(SARUDONO)
OK. Say it｡
Yes.
There’s a store that serves warabi mochi that I’d like to visit.
(SARUDONO)
Oh.
Warabi mochi is a Japanese confectionery made by kneading together Warabi flour, water, sugar, and other ingredients while heating.
You know well, Sarudono!
(SARUDONO)
I like warabi-mochi, too.
Emperor Daigo of the Heian period also seemed to like them.
In the Muromachi period, the tea ceremony culture developed, didn’t it?
So the taste of warabi–mochi became more and more delicious, and it spread to various places, especially the capital of Kyoto.
I came from the Edo period and at that time there was a shortage of warabi flour.
So they mixed the warabi flour with kuzu flour.
It seems so!
The variety of ingredients has increased in the modern age,
It is said that even without warabi flour, it is possible to make warabi mochi stably.
Interestingly, authentic warabi mochi made from 100% warabi flour, without any substitutes, has become so rare that it is now considered a luxury ingredient like matsutake mushrooms or truffles!
(SARUDONO)
Oh. That’s interesting!
So, where is this place you want to go?
Yes, I am.
The store is located in Gunma Prefecture’s Saba County,
about a 100-meter walk from Tamamura Hachimangu Shrine, famous as a shrine for safe childbirth and child rearing.
The name is Hachiman jaya.
It opened in 2022.
It is run by two sisters.
I would like to try the Hachiman Warabi.
The price is 888 yen.
Kuromitsu is sold separately for 88 yen.
(SARUDONO)
Is it particular about the number eight,
from the eight in the name Hachiman?
Maybe so.
Hachiman Warabi is filled with a dense layer of soybean flour in the box, and there is a Warabi mochi made with the sisters’ own unique combination of real warabi flour.
The point is the refrigerator!
Generally, most warabi mochi are sold at room temperature,
but after much trial and error,
it was found that cooling them in a refrigerator brings the texture closest to what they are looking for.
That is why Hachiman Warabi is chilled in a refrigerator.
“They are resilient, yet melt-in-your-mouth.”
It has become the talk of the town because of its addictive texture.
Reservations are required for one month.
There is a line of people waiting in line even before the restaurant opens,
and one of them had waited up to 8 hours!
What do you think, Sarudo?
(SARUDONO)
Eight hours of waiting!
Hmmm.
Are there any other warabi–mochi shops worth looking out for?
I understand.
I will look into it, Sarudo.
If you are interested in Hachiman Warabi, please check it out.
Hachiman jaya
Address 68-4 Shimo-Shinden, Tamamura, Saba-gun, Gunma
Access 3,474m from Shinmachi Station
Business hours: 11:00 – close when sold out
Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and other days
Business hours and holidays are subject to change.
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