🍱 Syoten-zushi

In Menuma area of Kumagaya City, during the Edo period, it flourished with the transportation of goods along the Tone River. The fertile land of rice paddies and fields in this area has been used for cultivating rice and Menuma indigenous soybeans. "Syoten-zushi", made with precious rice and fried thin tofu, which was expensive, was a special dish eaten on festive and ceremonial occasions. When speaking of "Syoten-sama (the Deified Spirit Shoden)" in Menuma, everybody imagines "Syoten-zushi" sold at the temple gate. In this way, "Syoten-zushi" has retained its taste and appearance unchanged since the Edo period, and it has been passed down to the present day. "Syoten-zushi" is served as one portion consisting of three pieces of "Inarizushi (vinegared rice stuffed in seasoned fried thin tofu)" and four pieces of rolled sushi, and its substantial size contributes to its popularity among the locals due to its filling nature. Additionally, "Menuma Shodenzan Kanki-in," which is the temple beloved by the local people as "Shoden-sama", was not built with donations from "Daimyo (feudal lords)" or wealthy merchants; rather, it has a history of being constructed with contributions from the local community. It also became popular in the region as a meal for special days for those who formed a club and made a pilgrimage to Menuma Shotenzan.