【Local Gourmet】Is this a hidden gem!? The flagship menu item "Masu Karaage" at Hyorokudama in Sagamihara was extremely delicious

When I tried to enjoy vending machine gourmet during a drive, I was shocked to find it sold out. So, I headed to a recommended place that my friend has visited many times, "Hyorokudama," established in 1959. The target was the flagship menu item "Masu Karaage," which is made by frying three times. It was incomparably better than any river fish dishes I had eaten before.

The retro vending machine's tempura soba was sold out

I came to the "Used Tire Market," famous for its retro vending machines. I couldn't help but stop by again today, but I never get tired of savoring the gourmet food that is hard to find, so I can come here multiple times without getting bored. Encountering temperamental vending machines that sometimes don't work even if you put in money is also the charm of touring retro vending machines.

The temperature that day was 5 degrees. My body had completely chilled, so I decided that today I would finally enjoy some piping hot tempura soba. I thought I had seen it in service areas some time ago, but now it's become so rare that it could be called an endangered species of vending machine.

When I looked again with my hopes high, there was a "sold out" sign. I was really disappointed, especially since I had been thinking, "I want to eat the tempura first."

While I was standing there in shock, a friend told me there was a delicious restaurant nearby. That friend said they had just learned about it recently but found it so delicious that they've visited multiple times. I shifted my mindset and headed to that restaurant.

A 10-minute drive from the retro vending machine, "Masu's Karaage" was a big discovery.

Accompanied by a friend, I arrived at "Hyōrokudama." It's a long-established shop that was founded in 1959. There is also a live fish tank on the premises, adding a sense of dignity and charm.

From the retro vending machine I mentioned earlier, it’s about a 10-minute drive. I feel like I’ve discovered the best hidden gem to find such a good place in this familiar area.

Hyōrokudama
Location: 1594 Tōma, Minami-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order at 2:50 PM)
Closed: Mondays (open if it's a holiday), Tuesdays

Upon entering the store, it is surprisingly spacious. What impressed me the most was the view! The back wall is made of glass, showcasing a peaceful rural landscape. It feels somewhat like being on a trip.<

Since I was here, I chose the recommended signature dish "Masu no Karaage" (830 yen). I was quite hungry, so I also ordered "Mugi Toromeshi" (650 yen) and "Koi no Miso Shiru" (260 yen), creating a set meal-like combination.<

While waiting, I glanced at the table and discovered this pop-up. It says, "You can eat the Masu no Karaage from head to tail." There was also an explanation that it is double-fried three times, raising my expectations.

As I was healed by the rural landscape spreading outside the window, it arrived in the blink of an eye. It’s the long-awaited fried masu salmon.

The fried masu salmon is freshly fried and piping hot. When you touch it with your chopsticks, you hear a crispy sound, and the crunchy texture is conveyed from the tips of the chopsticks. As mentioned in the earlier pop, it is served with grated daikon mixed in.

Inside the crispy batter is a fluffy fillet, packed tightly, making me involuntarily exclaim, "Wow!" The burst of umami is simply exquisite. This is a dish that is a whole new level from any river fish dishes I've tried before. The addition of grated daikon adds a light flavor, making it refreshing. This is delicious…!

I definitely want to go back to Hyōroku-dama

The barley and tororo rice we ordered together also did not disappoint in quality. It pairs exceptionally well with the fried masus, and I couldn’t put my chopsticks down. The carp miso soup also had a rich broth, making it a luxurious cup.

I can’t believe such an amazing restaurant and meal were near the used tire market! According to a friend who accompanied me, the "masu ikura don" available only on weekends is also exquisite. I must go back to try that as well.

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