[LIMITED TIME ONLY]

Prefecture: Yamagata
Producer: Tamayaseimen
Ingredients:  Durum wheat semolina (domestic), La France pear paste (Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Vegan, Dairy-free, Soy-free
Size: 100g

This special pasta merges two famous things from Tendo City in Yamagata Prefecture into one delightful bite. Firstly, the city is known for making the majority of shogi koma (Japanese chess pieces). During the mid-19th century, samurai warriors from the Tendo Oda clan began handcrafting shogi koma as a means of income. Tendo City is now the largest producer of shogi pieces in Japan and hosts a plethora of shogi-related events, including Ningen Shogi, where people fill the roles of pieces on a life-sized board. 

Secondly, Tendo City is the top producer of La France pears in Japan. Strict standards for sugar content, size and shape ensure that only the best selected fruits make it to market. Used in everything from juice and wine to jam and cake, the pears also add sweetness to this pasta. Made from pears that are considered small and may otherwise go to waste, this pasta preserves not only the fruit but also the history and culture of Tendo City.

Situated at the foot of Mt. Gassan in Yamagata in Nishikawa Town, Tamayaseimen is a generations-old noodle manufacturing company that was established in 1949 and is approaching its 75th anniversary. They produce traditional noodles as well as new, imaginative products, such as this shogi “art” pasta. 
 

Suggested uses: This delightful pasta is carefully dried to retain its unique shape and pleasantly chewy texture, even after boiling. Add the pasta to 1L of boiling water with 1 Tbsp of salt and cook for about 6 mins for the perfect al dente texture. Drain in a colander and enjoy with your favorite sauce. It also adds an eye-catching touch of Japanese iconography to salads, soups and other simmered dishes.