🍱 Usuyaki

In Yamanashi Prefecture, where approximately 80% of the land is covered by forests, the use of vast land for rice cultivation is challenging, making rice a precious commodity. Instead, crops such as soba (=buckwheat), corn, sweet potatoes, and miscellaneous grains were cultivated as staple foods. Among them, wheat had high utility, and the development of flour culture was inevitable, as evidenced by "houtou" being a specialty of Yamanashi Prefecture, becoming ingrained in people's lives for many years. "Usuyaki" is a type of flour-based dish that allows for flavor variations with different ingredients and is easy to make. It was not only enjoyed as a home snack but also consumed as a light meal during daily agricultural work due to its portability. Some variations included adding local vegetables, shiso (Japanese basil), beans, while others kept it simple with just wheat flour, often enjoyed with sugar or sweet soy sauce.