Terry Ito Column Vol.50 Hokkaido Product Exhibition is a Big Hit

At this time of year, department stores in urban areas hold local product fairs. On weekends, newspaper inserts are filled with advertisements filled with photos of local products from each prefecture. It's so much fun. Among them, the most popular by far is the Hokkaido product fair. Having grown up in Tokyo, Hokkaido is a place I've always dreamed of visiting. Seafood caught in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk in the harsh winter, vegetables grown in the northern land, sunshine, and pure water - it's enough to overwhelm me. I decided to look into what products are actually selling.

Number 1 is hairy crab. It instantly puts a smile on your face. The fourth batter from the north, it's the most popular dish at Chitose Airport. Number 2 is raw sea urchin. You can enjoy the rich flavor of sea urchin, and its sweetness is a real treat. Number 3 is king of barbecue, red king crab. It's sure to liven up any dinner table. Number 4 is salmon roe marinated in soy sauce. With this, you're sure to have endless bowls of rice. Number 5 is scallops. Arrange them on a hot plate, drizzle with Hokkaido butter and soy sauce, and you'll be moved to tears with this deliciousness. Number 6 is salmon, a symbol of autumn. Many hearty customers buy whole salmon as souvenirs. Number 7 is atka mackerel. In the city, you can usually only get dried fish, but once you try raw atka mackerel, it's so delicious you won't be able to stop. Number 8 is Hokkaido striped shrimp. A rare shrimp caught only in eastern Hokkaido. It's definitely known as the jewel of the sea. Number 9 is the king of ekiben, squid rice. I remember being surprised at how delicious it was when I tried it for the first time as a student. 10th place is salmon roe, which can be eaten raw or pickled in soy sauce. 11th place is cod roe. I'm glad that it's made using the same traditional methods. 12th place is salmon ruibe, a local Hokkaido dish that is eaten frozen. Its crunchy yet melt-in-your-mouth texture is irresistible during the hot summer months. 13th place is salted squid, a delicacy that Japan can be proud of around the world as a snack to go with sake.

It's awful, but my favorite seafood keeps coming back. I can't stop eating. It's Hokkaido, as you'd expect. The final straw for me is Sapporo ramen! With the recent boom in pork bone broth, miso-based Sapporo ramen has been overshadowed, but I'm definitely a miso fan. I'm totally hungry. But that's not all there is to northern food. Don't forget the sweets. Number 1 is Shiroi Koibito. A classic souvenir. Number 2 is Jagapokkuri, a potato snack made with salt from the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, which is hugely popular among women. Number 3 is Rokkatei Marsei's butter sandwich. A biscuit sandwich made with white chocolate, 100% Hokkaido raw milk butter, and raisins. My top pick!

I don't have time to write, my hunger is getting worse and worse. A product exhibition is being held at Yokohama Sogo until May 7th. I have to go. The four-layered cheese steak burger for 1,458 yen seems to be very popular among women. The Hokkaido Wagyu four-layered mille-feuille steak bento box for 3,240 yen is also a hot topic. I want to eat it. I can't wait any longer, I'm off!

Terry Ito (director)

Born in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1949. After attending Waseda Jitsugyo Junior and Senior High School, he graduated from Nihon University's School of Economics.
In March 2023, he completed the Master's program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University.
He joined the television production company IVS Television, where he worked on variety shows such as "Tensai Takeshi's Genki ga Deru TV" and "Neruton Benikujidan."
He then went independent and worked on planning and directing a number of television programs, including TV Tokyo's "Asakusabashi Young Clothing Store."
His book "Comedy North Korea" became a bestseller, and he subsequently made numerous media appearances under the name Terry Ito.
In addition to his work as a director, he is also active in a variety of fields as a producer, entertainer, and commentator.
YouTube channelTerry Ito's Comedy Backdrop'
Currently writing a column in LALALA USA
https://lalalausa.com/archives/category/column/terry