The charm of food culture at the crossroads [Imabari "Dondobi" Gourmet] Denakin🍺

Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, is the second most populous city in Ehime Prefecture and the largest in the entire Shikoku region, excluding prefectural capitals. Imabari Castle, which is the foundation of the city's development, was built by the master castle builder Todo Takatora (1556-1630), and its moat draws in seawater from the Seto Inland Sea. This highly functional castle town is connected to the port in both name and reality, and the shipbuilding techniques passed down since ancient times have strongly promoted the development of industry. Today's downtown area is located halfway between the city hall and the castle ruins, and the entrance to the area is the "Dondobi intersection." This strange name comes from the Dondobi, a drain that was once installed to adjust the seawater inside the castle, and this fact shows that the two major elements of "castle" and "sea" are symbols of Imabari. And when you are drawn in by the exquisite thrill and excitement of this word, you can experience the charm of Imabari even more through its gourmet food. ① Imabari Gainaka Bakushu (photos 2-6) "Imabari Gainaka Bakushu" has the catchphrase "Shopping Street Brewery". Facing the Imabari Shopping Street that continues from Dondobi intersection, the store is equipped with soft white walls and neat wooden lattices, and the interior of the store is clearly visible through the glass, creating an open atmosphere. Inside the store, there is a brewery and a taproom, where you can enjoy freshly brewed craft beer with its aroma intact. The store is run by a local company that operates multiple accommodation facilities and restaurants mainly in Ehime Prefecture. Seeing the current state of the shopping street, which had declined compared to its heyday, the company opened to create a base where people could gather and bring back the vitality of the town. The open atmosphere mentioned above can be seen as an extension of this purpose, and the store is crowded with a diverse range of faces, from office workers after work to tourists. When you arrive at the counter and look around, you will be surprised to see a mysterious tap with a "medal" hanging from it. These are the many awards that Imabari Gainaka Beer has won. For example, "Harehime Hazy IPA" won a gold medal at the 2021 International Beer Cup, and the brewing skills are first-class. Moreover, it also has a local flavor, such as using Ehime's proud mandarin oranges (Harehime) as an ingredient, making it a suitable "destination" for beer lovers in Imabari. The food menu that goes well with the beer also has a noticeable regional flavor. For example, the "Lemon Sausage Grill" is flavored with lemons from Iwagi Island, one of the Geiyo Islands, while side dishes such as "Aji no Kurozu Nanban" are sourced from a natural restaurant run by the same parent company, using locally produced ingredients. Overall, you can experience a good balance of skill, love for the region, and hospitality, and especially after getting some exercise on the "Shimanami Kaido" sightseeing, the fresh taste will permeate your palate, and it will surely be a great way to end your day while reflecting on the charm of the land. Access: About 12 minutes walk from Imabari Station Menu example: Harehime Hazy IPA (250ml 650 yen), Kami no Shima Lemon Ale (250ml 650 yen), Lemon Sausage Grill (2 sticks 500 yen) ② Toribayashi (photos 1, 7-10) "Yakitori" is a famous specialty of Imabari. However, unlike the general skewered style, its characteristic is that the chicken is "pressed" on the hot plate. The origin of this is said to be that Imabari, which has been in charge of logistics in the Seto Inland Sea since ancient times, had many merchants, and they were always busy, so they did not want to waste time grilling the chicken on the grill over charcoal, and they pursued "speed" and "deliciousness" above all else. There are many yakitori and chicken restaurants in the city, and the ratio per capita is one of the highest in Japan. Among the many famous restaurants, "Toribayashi" has been protecting its good name for over 40 years. Entering the restaurant with the vermilion sign that stands out in the night air, you are immediately enveloped in a savory flavor, and your appetite takes you to the counter. When you order the specialty "grilled skin", the long-awaited work begins on the hot plate in the kitchen. After cooking, it is pressed, and it is instantly sealed with a sizzling sound. Then, when the hot plate is slowly lifted, a soft steam rises and the nicely browned chicken skin appears from within. When served with the special sauce with a deep sweetness and richness, the texture of the pressed chicken is crunchy and stimulating, further enhancing the flavor of the juicy meat. Moreover, it is not heavy at all, so you can eat it as a snack. You finish it in no time and try the lotus root, another popular menu item, which has a completely different texture from the previous one, with a moist grilled texture. However, it is also noteworthy that the same special sauce as the grilled skin is served, maintaining a sense of unity in the flavor. "Imabari Yakitori" can be used for a wide range of purposes, whether you want to satisfy your hunger or have it as your main dish for the day. This is also a must-visit topic when visiting Imabari. Access: About 4 minutes on foot from Imabari Station Menu example: Grilled skin (270 yen), lotus root (270 yen), lemon chuhai (350 yen) #Imabari