What is the difference between oboro kombu and tororo kombu? Four stores where you can buy it in Fukui Prefecture (Tsuruga and Wakasa)
Among the various types of kelp, some people may be confused that oboro kelp and tororo kelp are similar and cannot be distinguished. This article introduces what oboro kombu is, the difference from tororo kombu, and specialty kombu products in the Reinan area (Tsuruga and Wakasa) of Fukui Prefecture. We will also introduce stores where you can purchase oboro kombu in Tsuruga and Wakasa, so please use this as a reference when looking for delicious kombu.
What is Oboro Kombu?
Oboro kelp is thinly shaved from a single carefully selected piece of kelp. It requires skilled craftsmanship to shave it, and is characterized by its melt-in-your-mouth, robust aroma and flavor. We will introduce the characteristics of Oboro kelp, the difference from Tororo kelp, which is similar to Oboro kelp, and recommended ways to eat Oboro kelp.
Thin and delicate kelp shaved by hand by craftsmen
Oboro kelp is made by soaking dried kelp in vinegar to soften it, then having it shaved into thin strips by hand by specialized artisans. A piece of shaved kelp is 0.01mm thin, so thin that you can see through to the other side. It takes a skilled craftsman to make it this thin, and the price is higher than other kelp products because high-quality kelp with the flattest possible surface is carefully selected for the shaving process.
Oboro kelp is thin and melt-in-your-mouth, but has a firm texture and a strong aroma and flavor. Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of oboro kelp, and 80% of the oboro kelp in circulation today is produced there.
Variety of ways to eat
Strong in both aroma and flavor, oboro kombu goes well with a variety of dishes and can be eaten in many ways. Topping noodles with oboro kombu increases the volume of the noodle by absorbing the broth. If you feel that something is missing, try adding oboro kombu.
- Eat it in soup
- Wrap it around rice balls instead of nori seaweed
- Condiment for chilled tofu
- Topping for udon or soba noodles
- Salads and vinegared dishes
Difference from Tororo Kombu
Similar to oboro kelp is tororo kelp, the difference being the way it is shaved. Tororo kelp is made by shaving a pressed mass of many sheets of kelp into a thin layer using a mechanical sharpener. After shaving, a number of thread-like pieces are softly folded over each other. It has a soft and fluffy texture and can be torn into pieces, and when added to soup, it blends in as if it were melting.
Tororo kelp is widely available in supermarkets because machine technology has developed and it is now possible to shave a large amount at a time. In addition, because it is made from kelp that cannot be used for oboro kombu, it is sold at a lower price than oboro kombu.
Specialty kelp products available in Reinan (Tsuruga and Wakasa)
The Reinan area of Fukui Prefecture (Tsuruga and Wakasa) is famous for several kelp products, including oboro kelp.
Tsuruga City was a port of call for the Kitamae Ship, which carried specialty products between Hokkaido and Osaka from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the Meiji period (1868-1912), and was an area where first-class kelp from Rausu, Rishiri, and other regions gathered. Even today, there are many kelp wholesalers and souvenir shops selling kelp.
The main specialty products are as follows
| Oboro Kombu | Foods carefully shaved by hand by craftsmen from high-quality single piece kelp |
|---|---|
| Kelp roll | Herring rolled in kelp and simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce. Also called stick roll. Many stores sell not only finished kombu-rolls but also natural kombu for kombu-rolls. |
| Shiofuki Kelp | Kelp cut into bite-size pieces, seasoned with soy sauce and vinegar, sprinkled with sugar and salt, and dried. It is perfect for rice, onigiri (rice ball), ochazuke (rice with green tea), and other dishes. Its soft sweetness is a key point. |
4 stores where you can buy oboro kelp in Tsuruga and Wakasa
In the Reinan area of Fukui Prefecture (Tsuruga and Wakasa), there are several stores where you can purchase oboro kelp, a luxury food. Why not try a taste of this unique and precious oboro kelp?
Kelp specialty store｜Kelp Kitamura
Kelp Kitamura handles only kelp products. Carefully selected kelp is processed with inherited skills and techniques. All of our products are made with a hearty commitment to the mellow taste and aroma that they have been nurtured to have. Only here can you find not only oboro kelp, but also seasoned kelp, premium white yam kelp, shiofuki kelp, tsukudani (food boiled down in soy sauce), and a variety of other kelp products. Gift sets and online sales are also available, making them useful as gifts.
| Address | 13-2 Horai-cho, Tsuruga City, Tsuruga Prefecture, 914-0061 Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-22-0865 |
| Business hours | 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Closed | 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month *Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Kelp Kitamura https://www.konbu-kitamura.com/ |
A long-established souvenir shop established 100 years ago｜MASUI Kokaido
Masui Kokaido is a long-established souvenir shop that has been in business for 100 years. Inheriting traditional techniques, the kelp is made with the utmost care, and each piece is of the highest quality. The popular Oboro kelp is made by carefully shaving each piece of kelp with a hand knife, preserving the flavor of the kelp grown in the southern part of Hokkaido. The shop also offers a wide selection of natural kelp, including shredded salted kelp.
There are also a variety of gift sets of kelp such as oboro kelp, tororo kelp, and seasoned kelp, which are recommended not only as souvenirs but also for those who want to try different kinds of kelp. In addition to kelp, we also sell bean rakugan shaped in wooden molds.
| Address | 1-1-12, Kagura-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui 914-0063, Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-22-1051 |
| Business hours | 9:00 - 18:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays, Year-end and New Year holidays Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Masui Kokaido |
Traditional taste and techniques handed down from the Meiji era｜OKUI KAISEIDO
Okui Kaisyodo has been in business for more than 150 years since the Meiji era. As the purveyor of kelp to Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple and Daihonzan Sojiji Temple, we continue to preserve the taste of our goodwill. We recommend the Oboro kelp shaved by "Modern Master Craftsmen" who are certified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as outstanding technicians. You can also purchase a boxed size that would make a great gift.
Kurashiki Rijiri Kombu, which makes a clear, elegant broth without any peculiarities, and Wasabi Kombu, which can be served with rice or as a snack, are also popular products. We also sell Knot Kombu, which is perfect for gifts.
The site includes recommended kelp recipes for those who are interested.
| Address | 1-4-10, Kagura-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture 914-0063, Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-22-0493 |
| Business hours | Weekdays 9:00-18:00 Sundays and holidays 9:00-17:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays, Year-end and New Year holidays Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Okui Kaisyodo |
Souvenirs of Tsuruga available here｜Tsuruga Kawato Souvenir Shop
The first specialty souvenir store in front of Tsuruga Station, it was established in 1936 as the manufacturer of Tsuruga's famous confectionary "Mame Rakugan". After World War II, it started as a souvenir shop, taking advantage of its location in front of the station. It sells everything from famous confections from all over Fukui to oboro kelp and locally brewed sake.
We also recommend seasoned kelp, which is popular as a garnish for hiyayaka rice and onigiri (rice ball). We also carry Oboro Kombu made by Okui Kaiyodo.
| Address | 4-5 Shirogane-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui 914-0054 |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-22-4102 |
| Business hours | Change according to season |
| Closed | No regular holidays Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site |
Souvenir shop Tsuruga Kawato
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Enjoy Oboro Kombu, a specialty of the Reinan area!
Oboro kelp is an ingredient originating from Tsuruga, Japan, where high quality kelp is shaved by skilled craftsmen with a special knife. Its delicate texture with a robust flavor and aroma whets the appetite, and it is very useful as an accompaniment to rice, soup, and noodles. Many stores in the Reinan area sell oboro kelp. Gift sets are also available, so why not take advantage of them as souvenirs or to compare tastes?
Selected as the nation's first "Premium" Japanese Heritage Site! Enjoy a variety of cultures
In July 2024, Obama City and Wakasa Town, centered on the Saba Road, were selected by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as the first Japanese Heritage site in Japan to be designated as a Special Priority Support Area (Japanese Heritage Premium).
Blessed with a rich harvest from the sea and mountains, Wakasa has supported the food culture of the Imperial Court since ancient times, and for more than 1,500 years, the road that brought seafood from Wakasa to Kyoto has been called "Saba Kaido," or mackerel road, and has a history of traffic of various cultures. Along the Saba Kaido, which connects Wakasa and Kyoto, there are Kumagawa-juku, shrines, temples, buildings, festivals, and other cultural assets, so be sure to take the time to visit Tsuruga and Wakasa.
The information is current as of November 2024. Information is subject to change without notice.