Gyoda Zerai Fry: Where to Eat, Prices & Hours (Saitama)

A beloved everyday taste of Gyoda, zerai fry is a humble fried patty built around okara and potato. Because it is deep fried without a coating, it has a lighter mouthfeel than a standard croquette. The name has nothing to do with sweets; it is said to come from the oval shape that resembled an old coin, once called zenifurai. A veteran of the Russo Japanese War is said to have devised it from a local vegetable bun, and it has been rooted in Gyoda since the Meiji era.

Highlights

The charm lies in the crisp outside and the fluffy inside. Okara is mixed with potato, and often carrot and green onion, in proportions that vary by shop. Dipped hot into a sweet and savory sauce, the soaked in sauce and the gentle taste of the okara come together as one. Many shops make each one by hand, giving the dish a homey warmth.

Enjoying the Seasons

It is enjoyed all year round, but in the cold months the warmth of a fresh fried patty is especially welcome. It appears as a staple at festival and event stalls, sometimes skewered on a stick, sized just right as a companion for strolling.

Access and Basic Information

Gyodashi Station on the Chichibu Railway and Gyoda Station on the JR Takasaki Line serve as bases. Old fashioned shops dot the city, and tasting one between visits to historic sites such as Oshi Castle, the setting of films and dramas, or the streets of old tabi warehouses is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

Its appeal is how easily it can be bought, at around one hundred yen each, perfect for a small hunger. Many shops take a counter or stand format, so you can buy them fresh one at a time and eat as you walk. It travels well too, but the just fried batch with the sauce soaked in is said to be the best. Hours and closing days differ by shop and change easily, so checking ahead is the surest approach.

A Quick Tip

Buying them fresh one at a time and eating as you walk is the local way. Since how well the sauce soaks in shapes the texture, aim for the just fried batch. Comparing it with the local Gyoda furai is fun too.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• The official definition: Gyoda City describes zeri-furai as "something like a croquette without batter, containing potato, spring onion, carrot and okara (soy pulp)," and presents it as a healthy food rich in dietary fiber.
• Main area where it is served: Within Gyoda City. The Gyoda City Tourism Association publishes a "Fry and Zeri-furai Map" showing the shops where you can eat it.
• A public facility to drop into: Tourism and Local Products Hall "Buratto Gyoda" (2-1-8 Oshi, Gyoda City, on the 1st floor of the Gyoda City Commerce and Industry Center) / 9:30-17:00, closed only over the New Year period (usually December 29 to January 3). Tel. 048-554-1036. It also rents out bicycles for sightseeing.
• A bit of trivia: In Heisei 21 (2009) Gyoda City registered "Kozeni-chan," the zeri-furai mascot character, as a trademark.

* Opening hours and prices differ from one establishment to another.

(Sources: the "Zeri-furai" page on the official Gyoda City website, and "Gyoda Tabi Navi" of the Gyoda City Tourism Association)

Information Sources

This article is compiled from Saitama Prefecture's tourism information and from information published by the individual establishments. Prices, menus and seasons can change, so please check each establishment's official information for details.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Budget guide: Affordable, from around 100-odd yen apiece
• Where to eat it: Delicatessens, fry shops and diners in Gyoda City
• Recommended time of day: Mainly during the day, as a snack or while strolling
• Avoiding the crowds: Popular shops can sell out, so go early in the day
• Enjoy it together with: Gyoda fry, the Oshi Castle ruins, the Sakitama burial mounds, and a walk around the town's tabi storehouses