Fu cuisine refers to a variety of traditional dishes made with fu, a wheat-based food that has been cherished for generations in the Rokuta area of Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Fu production in Rokuta is said to have begun during the Bunkyū era (1861–1864). Today, it remains one of the local specialties of the area and an important part of its culinary heritage.
Fu has long been a familiar ingredient in Japanese cuisine. In Rokuta, a distinctive variety called kuruma-fu is made using traditional techniques and incorporated into a wide range of dishes.
The fu produced in Rokuta is known as kuruma-fu, or “wheel-shaped fu.” To make it, the dough is wrapped around an iron rod and baked repeatedly. The resulting long piece of fu is then sliced into rounds, creating its characteristic ring-shaped appearance.
Its shape resembles a small doughnut, making it easy to handle and eat. When soaked in water, kuruma-fu becomes soft and fluffy and readily absorbs broth and seasonings, making it particularly well suited to simmered dishes.
Fu is commonly used in dishes such as sukiyaki, other hot pots, and simmered foods. In Rokuta, however, kuruma-fu is enjoyed in a much wider range of preparations.
Local dishes may include kuruma-fu prepared as Japanese-style fried pieces, stir-fries, and simmered dishes. Its texture and flavor change depending on how it is cooked, allowing the same traditional ingredient to be enjoyed in many different ways.
Rokuta is home to specialty shops and restaurants dedicated to fu, where visitors can enjoy dishes in which fu is the main ingredient. Some establishments even serve kaiseki-style meals featuring a variety of fu dishes, offering an opportunity to discover the remarkable versatility of this traditional ingredient.
At some specialty establishments, visitors can do more than simply enjoy the food and also take a tour of a fu workshop to learn about traditional production methods.
Advance reservations may be required for workshop tours, so visitors interested in seeing the production process should check availability in advance.
Fu cuisine represents the long history of fu production in Rokuta and the local food culture that has developed around it over generations. The distinctive ring-shaped kuruma-fu can be used not only in dishes that absorb flavorful broth, but also in fried and stir-fried dishes.
When visiting Higashine City, trying dishes made with Rokuta’s traditional fu is a wonderful way to experience the culinary heritage and traditional food culture rooted in this historic Yamagata community.