Sakuraebi (sakura shrimp) is a colorful addition to any dish. Everyone has probably eaten it at least once, but did you know that there is actually only one place in Japan where it is landed? It is Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture. I am ashamed to admit that I (the writer) did not know that... I mean, shouldn't we promote such an important thing more to the public?


So, I went to Yui Port in Suruga Bay, Shizuoka Prefecture, where the past and future of the sakura shrimps industry are all on my shoulders, but not many people know about it (or think they do)!

Tasting "freshly caught" sakura shrimp at Yui Port

Yes, I'm here at Yui Port. It is about a 10-minute walk from Yui Station, or a 30-40 minute drive from Shizuoka Station. Here at Hama no Kakiageya, you can taste the best "fisherman's meal" using freshly caught sakura ebi. Moreover, the restaurant is located right in front of the sea, giving it a very realistic atmosphere.



The first dish is the "Fisherman's Okizuke Donburi" (750 yen, tax included, same as below). The raw sakura shrimps are marinated in a "secret sauce" and served on a bed of rice. It is topped with chopped nori, green onion, and sesame seeds, and the edge of the bowl is accented with wasabi (Japanese horseradish).


Fresh sakura shrimps! When you bite into it, it pops and the sweet flesh overflows from the inside. Each shrimp is small, but the flavor is so rich! The sauce is not too strong, so you can directly taste the melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of the sakura shrimps.


Next is the specialty "kakiage" (300 yen). Sakura shrimps are fried with leafy green onions and crispy with a little batter. Each piece is large, with a diameter of more than 10 cm.


By the way, what kind of texture do you imagine when you hear the word "sakuraebi kakiage"? It may be the crunchy texture of the shrimp shells, or a slightly hard and crunchy texture like rice crackers.

This is not the case. The kakiage is made from a large number of sakura shrimps, of which I do not know how many there are, and deep fried. The first bite is crispy, but the texture soon becomes soft and fluffy. The flavor of the shrimp spreads with the aroma. The shells are not crumbly at all, nor are they hard enough to stick in the mouth. I wish I could make it at home, but I guess I can't do it the same way!


Incidentally, there is also a "Fisherman's Oki Zuke Don Set" (1,000 yen) that includes a bowl of oki zuke don and kakiage, so if you want to try both, this is the one for you. This is recommended for those who want both. It also comes with miso soup (100 yen for a single bowl), which is full of sakura shrimp broth, for a good price.

There is also a bowl of soup that you can enjoy with your bowl of okizuke-don as "ochazuke," so after you have eaten about half of your bowl, pour this into your bowl and stir it in. For those who want a more luxurious experience, try the oki zuke-don with kakiage on top and pour the soup into the bowl. The sakura shrimps will become plump and juicy, and you will enjoy a different taste.


The Yui Port Fisheries Cooperative Direct Selling Center is conveniently located just a minute's walk from the harbor.

If you feel like making this kakiage at home, the Yui Port Fisheries Cooperative Direct Sales Store, located a minute's walk from the port, is convenient. You can buy sakura shrimps and other fresh seafood. Or buy some as souvenirs for your family and friends!


The autumn fishing season is now in full swing. Next year, there will be a "beach market"!

Cherry shrimp fishing takes place twice a year, in spring and fall. Now is the middle of the fall fishing season. The fishing season ends on December 24.


The "Hama-no-ichi" (beach market) is held regularly at Yui Port, and in addition to dishes using sakura shrimp, there are many local delicacies such as "sardine curry croquettes" and "Shizuoka oden" (oden). The next event is scheduled for February 14, 2016, which coincidentally falls on Valentine's Day. Isn't it a cool idea to enjoy Valentine's Day at a fishing port? Even if your sweetheart is not a fisherman, be sure to invite your gourmet boyfriend or girlfriend!