Now is the season 🦐 Enjoy delicious “Ise lobster” with “sashimi”, “shabu-shabu”, and “miso soup”! ! Advertisement

The fishing season officially opens in October, and ``Ise lobster'' is now in season. In fact, you can eat fresh and delicious spiny lobster in Kihoku KihokuTown in HigashiKishu region of Mie Prefecture! In this article, we will introduce recommended restaurants where you can eat delicious spiny lobster!

1. The secret behind the delicious spiny lobster of Mie Prefecture

Mie Prefecture has the largest catch of spiny lobster in Japan!

``Ise lobster'' is also designated as ``Mie Prefecture's fish.'' Mie Prefecture has the largest catch of spiny lobster in Japan!

In Mie Prefecture, the spawning season for spiny lobster is set as a closed fishing period (May to September), and even after the fishing ban is lifted, the number of nets set at one time is limited, and small spiny lobsters are returned to the sea. We are also working to protect spiny lobsters. Thanks to these efforts, Mie Prefecture's catch of spiny lobster has remained stable over a long period of time with little fluctuation, allowing it to maintain its No. 1 catch in Japan.

The scenery heading towards the “shrimp net” is a winter tradition in KihokuTown!

Also, since spiny lobsters are nocturnal, they are caught using a method called gillnet fishing. It is a fishing method in which a long, thin net resembling a piece of cloth is sunk in the sea, and the Ise lobsters that become entangled in the net are caught.In KihokuTown, it is called ``shrimp net''. The sight of boats leaving port all at once to set nets around 3pm every day has become a winter tradition in KihokuTown.

Characteristics of KihokuTown ’s spiny lobster

The sea in Mie Prefecture, which stretches along the ria coastline, is rich in nutrients and is said to grow delicious spiny lobster. The spiny lobsters caught in KihokuTown that we introduce this time are grown in the rough waves of the Kumano Sea, so the flesh is firm and firm, and it is said that the more you chew, the sweetness spreads throughout your mouth. And.

2. Recommended restaurants in KihokuTown where you can eat delicious spiny lobster

Now is the season! There are over 10 restaurants in Kihoku-cho, Mie KihokuTown where you can enjoy delicious spiny lobster!

This time, we will be visiting two of them with Yumi Kato, a native of Mie Prefecture and the 2018 Miss Universe Japan representative.

*For other restaurants where you can eat spiny lobster in KihokuTown, click ↓

3. You can order Ise lobster the way you like it! [Umashiyado Gyotei Minoshima]

First, go to [Umashiyado Ryotei Minoshima] where you can order Ise lobster the way you like it.

"I love eating, and spiny lobster is one of my favorite foods, so I'm really looking forward to today."

(Left) Young proprietress Yurie Onishi (Right) Proprietor Takahide Onishi

The young proprietress and the general welcomed us. The word ``ryo'' in ``ryotei'' means ``fishing'' because they serve fresh seafood caught that day.

This time, each person will have a deluxe course that includes one spiny lobster♪

Prices start from 8,800 yen (tax included) per person, or 16,500 yen (tax included) per person for one night with two meals.

*In both cases, reservations are required by the day before.

First, choose the cooking method for the spiny lobster!

"Wow! The spiny lobsters are huge!!! I'm also happy to be able to choose the cooking method I like♪"

[Choice of cooking method for spiny lobster]

Sashimi/steamed/grilled/shabu-shabu/shiogama (It seems that it takes about 40 minutes from ordering to serving shiogama. We recommend making a reservation the day before.)

This time, in addition to the most popular ``sashimi'', we also specially asked for the ``steamed'' cooking method recommended by the locals.

First, let's start with the "sashimi" of spiny lobster. It's a way to eat it because it's fresh.

It is said that spiny lobsters grown in the fierce waves of the Kumano Sea are especially firm.

"It's crunchy and sweet! It has an addictive texture."

Next, we will have "steamed" spiny lobster. Steaming it seems to bring out the sweetness even more.

"The meat is packed tightly! It's plump and delicious. The miso of the spiny lobster is very rich."

Locals say they eat it with mustard mayonnaise. I decided to try it right away.

"The mayonnaise brings out the sweetness of the spiny lobster even more. It's an idea unique to the locals."

“Shrimp mayo” from the king of shrimp. Hmm! It's luxuriously delicious.

After enjoying the sashimi and steamed lobster, enjoy ``Ise lobster miso soup'' made with the head part as a soup stock.

It's also great that you can eat all the lobster until the end.

In addition to spiny lobster, you can also enjoy daily sashimi made with only fresh fish caught that morning, seasonal oysters, and salt-grilled tilefish.

The sashimi that day was, clockwise from the back, sunfish, tuna, squid, oysterfish, and arahada.

(Top) Daily sashimi (Bottom) Momotori Island oysters “Momokomachi”

The ``Momokomachi'' raw oysters we received were one-year-old oysters caught on Toshijima, a remote island in Toba. It is said to have a fresh, crisp, and rich flavor similar to a peach.

In fact, ``Minoshima'' is a rare restaurant where you can enjoy nagashima 's specialty, ``Sunfish.'' This is also Kato's first attempt.

“When I think of sunfish, I think of them swimming in an aquarium, so I had no idea what they were, but they have a chewy texture and a light taste.”

The course also included domestic Wagyu beef yakiniku!

I want to be a bit more luxurious and eat spiny lobster the way I like it! This course is recommended for those who

Umashiyado Gyotei Minoshima

*Prices are subject to change, so please contact the store directly before going out.

4. Ise shrimp shabu-shabu is exquisite! [Four Seasons Live Fish Inn Matsushima, Kii]

Next, the spiny lobster shabu-shabu is exquisite! Go to [Four Seasons Live Fish Inn Kii no Matsushima].

"Ise lobster shabu-shabu! This might be my first time eating it...I'm so excited."

(Left) Young proprietress Ayako Onishi (Right) Young proprietress Takamasa Onishi

The young chef, who had experience working at a restaurant in Mie Prefecture, said he wanted to return to his hometown someday, so he made a U-turn to KihokuTown at the age of 30 and is now demonstrating his cooking skills in Matsushima, Kii Prefecture. .

They seem to be particular about ``natural, seasonal fish'' and ``food that you can't eat unless you come here.''

This time, we will have the spiny lobster shabu-shabu course (one spiny lobster per person)♪

The photo shows 2 servings. (Only 1 serving of "Tsukidashi" in front of the center of the screen)

Prices start from 11,000 yen (tax included) per person, and reservations must be made two days in advance for lunch and one day in advance for dinner. For overnight stays, the price starts from 18,700 yen (tax included) per person, including one night and two meals, and reservations must be made the day before.

*This course is for 2 or more people.

First of all, we will enjoy fresh fish sashimi and grilled oysters that were just caught in the morning.

The sashimi of the day was, clockwise from the center of the screen, rare gas shrimp, grilled Spanish mackerel, Yahara bonito, also known as whole fatty tuna, red grouper, striped horse mackerel, and conch.

(Top) Daily sashimi (Bottom) Mysterious oyster “Watari oyster”

"Watari oysters" are KihokuTown 's only oysters.

Because the amount of oysters that can be caught is so limited that they are also called "phantom oysters," they are difficult to eat outside of the local area.

It is grown in a brackish lake where seawater and river water mix, an environment with low salinity, and its flavor is characterized by its concentrated flavor.

The sweetness increases when cooked, so this time I had it with grilled oysters!

"It's sweet and delicious! It's packed with flavor."

Now, it's finally the long-awaited shabu-shabu time!

Once you try the spiny lobster shabu-shabu that we prepared this time, you'll want to eat it again and again! There are many repeat customers!

Shabu-shabu three times, and when the lobsters begin to open up like a flower, they are ready to eat.

"Wow! It's soft on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside! It's the first time I've eaten it! This might be my favorite way to eat it!"

By soaking them in the soup stock, the flavor of the lobster is brought out even more, and you can enjoy the different textures depending on the part of the lobster.

Even after enjoying shabu-shabu, the fun continues.

You can even get the miso head, legs, and back part of the meat.

Of course, the store will process the food to make it easier to eat, so all you have to do is enjoy it!

After enjoying the spiny lobster, enjoy the soup stock with vegetables.

In Matsushima, Kii, you can even experience harvesting shiitake mushrooms.

"It's exciting and fun! It's great that you can eat it right after you harvest it! Because it's freshly harvested, it's smooth and juicy!"

The experience of harvesting shiitake mushrooms is said to be especially popular with children, and it's nice to be able to eat what you've harvested yourself♪ What's more, you can take home the shiitake mushroom bed and grow it, and if you grow it well, It is said that it may be possible to harvest two or three times.

At the end, you can make porridge using the flavorful soup stock.

"The soup stock from the spiny lobster is delicious. It has a comforting taste."

As the weather gets colder, I want to eat a whole Ise lobster! This is a course that everyone should try♪

Four Seasons Live Fish Inn Matsushima, Kii

*Prices are subject to change, so please contact the store directly before going out.

5. Enjoy Ise lobster cuisine!

“I was happy to be able to enjoy the fresh and plump Ise lobster that can only be enjoyed locally! I would definitely like to come to KihokuTown to eat Ise lobster with my family, even in private.”

The two restaurants we introduced this time are actually located about a 5-minute walk away.

There are many other restaurants in Mie Prefecture where you can eat delicious spiny lobster, so be sure to find your favorite inn or restaurant!

​Click here for information on restaurants where you can eat spiny lobster in KihokuTown ☆

6. Yuumi Kato profile

This time, model Yumi Kato from KihokuTown visited Ise lobster shops in Kihoku Town.

She has a history of representing Mie Prefecture and representing Japan in the 2018 Miss Universe contest.

He also lived in Malaysia for a period of time, so he can speak four languages: Japanese, Malay, English, and Chinese.

After returning to Japan, he became a tea ceremony master and was also certified as a Japanese kimono dresser, making him well-versed in Japanese culture.

“I want to spread the word about the charms of Mie Prefecture!” says Kato.

An article about Yuumi Kato experiencing the new charm of Daiozaki, ShimaCity is also available now!

Experience the new charm of the drawing town “Daiozaki”! 2018 Miss Universe Japan representative "Yumi Kato" will experience "Let's go to Daiozaki - a journey to encounter the blue and white of Ise-Shima"♪