When I was traveling in Ishigaki Island, I was surprised the landscape
because I can find paddy fields everywhere.It was unexpected scape because
I always buy rice made in north area of Japan in groceries of Tokyo. I
had never seen Ishigaki rice in Tokyo. It is natural because it cost much
to transport.But there were many kinds of Ishigaki Rice and I can suppose
that it is popular in the Island. My image of rice has changed a little.
I found rice cake ("Uta mochi ya" is printed on the package)
in the grocery store named Max Value. I was intrigued because I read a
good comment about this rice cake on internet. It was made with Thai rice.
It was too sticky and too sweet. It is not my taste. However, you should
try it because this rice cake has history of over 30 years.You would like
it if you have sweet teeth.
I bought a rice ball made with rice made in Ishigaki Island mix with black
rice and beans. It was simple taste and good.I bought it in the Farmer's
market " called Yurathiku Michiba". I think this rice ball might
be not purchased regurally because I could not see the same the next day.(
Rice ball of " Iramina Sushi". The second from right side, black
one.)
By the way, I was curios about the color used for foods in Ishigaki Island
or Okinawa. I saw many kinds of food of vivid pink. It is used mainly for
sweets like manju or cake. "Sugomori" which is made of egg and
fish paste also has vivid pink.I like this color because it look cheerful.
2828.tokyo
Survey spot:
JA Farmers' market Yaeyama " Yurathiku Ichiba"
Adress: 1-2,Shinei-cho, Ishigaki City, Ishigaki Pref 907-0014
TEL:0980-88-5300
OPEN:9:00~19:00 ※These days it would be closed on 18:00 pm because of pandemic
Close:The third thuesday every month (except for busy period )
Website:http://www.yaeyama-pain.com
About " Yurathiku Ichiba":
"Yurathiku Ichiba" is operated based on the concept for farmers, slogan is "
local production for local consumption." There are many kinds of food, little amount each. A farmer with a side job or elder people can easily participate with this shop.We can find rare foods which we cannot buy in other groceries. We can also find hadmade deli, sweets, rice cakes.You should try many foods without hesitate because you might not find the same food the next day.