When you visit Matsumoto, don’t forget to try Basashi
Most people know Matsumoto as a castle town with long history, peaceful and a city of beautiful scenery. But on the other side Matsumoto is famous for local food that made from horse meat. Especially raw horse meat or "Basashi". When I have chance to go to city center of Matsumoto, I don't want miss eating it for one time in my life. Raw horse meat is one of premium and rare menu. It is not easy to eat this menu in another place. For Japanese people if they have chance to visit Matsumoto the raw horse meat is one of local food that Japanese people will not forget.
Before my visit to Matsumoto, I did research about Basashi.
I heard that "basashi" is rare food and famous local food of Matsumoto City. I thought if I have the chance to go to Matsumoto I won’t miss it. Normally I don't like to eat "sashimi" or raw fish but “basashi” can't buy in super market or in another sushi shop. At first, I search for information about restaurant that have horse meat food. I found many restaurants in Matsumoto have horse meat food. But I am interested in one of restaurant which is very famous for horse meat food and established from years 32 of Meiji Era or 100 years ago. It names "Shin-Miyoshi"
I entered the restaurant, and ordered.
I searched for the restaurant location and went there by train. I crossed the street for "Matsumoto city museum of art" direction, in front of Matsumoto Station. I walked around 5 minute, the restaurant is on the left side. I saw the electronics sign and menu. The entrance of restaurant is in beside. This restaurant is very famous in Matsumoto and crowed during lunch and dinner time. The restaurant interior is decorated like ancient Japanese style and have a private seat that are separated by curtain. Staff guided me to the seat. This restaurant has many kinds of horse meat menu such as raw horse meat "basashi", shabu-shabu, sushi, yakisoba etc. First, I ordered "basashi". This menu is composed of 3 type of raw horse meat as red meat, Marble meat called "toro", and fat in the neck of horse or called "tategami". After that, I ordered horse meat shabu-shabu and horse meat preserved in Kimchi.
I tried Basashi for the first time
Basashi are served with Miso paste and grated of ginger and slice of green onion. Staff taught me how to eat. I try "basashi" in the first. But I fear to try it. My son tried it first and tell me it very delicious. Normally I don't like "sashimi" but I think horse meat is rare local food I will try it for one time in my life. I try to eat "tategami" in the first. It was not bad and I can say it is delicious than sashimi. And then I tried red meat. It was very soft and I feel like it melted in my mouth. Basashi is not smelly. I Think I like "basashi" more than "sashimi". And then I try horse meat shabu-shabu. It is very soft and do not have smell like beef or pork. It was very tasty and I forgot that I am eating horse meat. The price is reasonable. Not expensive and not cheap. 1,830 Yen for Basashi 1 set and 2,780 yen for shabu-shabu 1 set with a lot of quantity.
I think a lot people from other countries might think "horse meat" is not a food. A lot of people will not eat it. But in Japan people eat horse meat as a local culture. It looks crazy and uncommon but I think it has a value for you try it when you visit Matsumoto City. It was a good experience and good memory for me.
(Information)
Store name : Shin-Miyoshi
Address :1-7-17 Chuo, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
Phone : 0263-39-0141
Hours : Lunch 11:50 – 2:00 pm Dinner 5:00-11:30 pm.
Holiday : Sunday
Average budget : Lunch 1,000-1,990 Yen, Dinner from 1,870 Yen for “basashi”
Japanese URL : http://youkoso.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/food/?p=734
Comments