Hagoromo Fermentation Dining

"Fermentation can be used in cooking like this?" If you're looking for that kind of discovery, Hagoromo Fermentation Dining in Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture, is the perfect place to visit. Set inside a beautifully restored traditional Japanese farmhouse, the restaurant offers a warm and relaxing atmosphere filled with the natural charm of wood. While enjoying your meal, you can experience the slower pace and timeless lifestyle of rural Japan. The menu showcases the versatility of koji, a traditional Japanese fermentation starter, while bringing out the natural flavors of seasonal vegetables and carefully selected local ingredients. Rather than simply eating fermented foods, guests can discover how koji transforms the taste and texture of each ingredient through every dish. One example is the chicken ham, made by marinating chicken breast in shio-koji (salt koji), resulting in an exceptionally tender and juicy texture. Fresh vegetables are paired with house-made koji dressings and pickles that enhance their natural flavors. Other dishes include a creamy soy milk miso soup made with miso and koji, as well as desserts that use shio-koji to bring out the sweetness of sweet potatoes. Each dish demonstrates a different way koji can be incorporated into cooking. The vegetables used in the restaurant are sourced from farmers in Gifu and neighboring Shiga Prefecture, and the menu changes with the seasons. In the peaceful setting of a traditional farmhouse, guests can enjoy flavors created through the combination of fermentation and local ingredients. It is a place where you can experience Japanese food culture and everyday life in a way that goes beyond ordinary sightseeing.