This fritter (Western-style tempura) uses one whole fresh scallop adductor muscle cultivated in the freezing, rough waves of the Soya Strait.
The batter is intentionally kept thin, resulting in a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. When you bite into it, the umami of the scallop spreads richly throughout your mouth.
After a test sale late last year, it was well-received and repeatedly sold out. It became a regular product starting at the end of January. Since it’s frozen, simply fry it frozen in a generous amount of oil for 4 to 5 minutes. Recommended to eat with salt or chili sauce.
■Available at Kita Kitchen Aurora Town Store (Telephone 205-2145) ■Wakkanai City Population: 29,812 (as of the end of July). Main local specialties… Octopus, Red King Crab, Soya Black Beef, Wakkanai Milk, Soya Salt
Soya Strait
The Soya Strait is a strategically important waterway separating Russia’s Sakhalin Island from Japan’s Hokkaido, connecting the Sea of Japan with the Sea of Okhotsk. Historically, the strait was controlled by Japan until the end of World War II, after which the surrounding territory came under Soviet and later Russian administration. It remains a significant route for shipping and is noted for its often challenging, icy conditions.
Kita Kitchen Aurora Town Store
The Kita Kitchen Aurora Town Store is a Japanese restaurant located in the Aurora Town shopping complex in Hokkaido, Japan. It is part of a local chain known for its hearty, Hokkaido-style ramen and rice bowls, offering a taste of the region’s famous comfort food to shoppers and visitors.
Wakkanai City
Wakkanai is Japan’s northernmost city, located at the tip of Hokkaido. Historically, its development was spurred by its strategic location and its role as a major port for the fishing and canning industry. Today, it is a gateway for travel to the Russian island of Sakhalin and is known for its dramatic coastal scenery and symbolic monuments marking the country’s northern extremity.
