[Local Gourmet] Driving in the rainy season aiming for the Gunma specialty "Jōshū Goyō Tori-meshi Matsu Bento" available in Saitama.

Amid the narrow options for drives and leisure due to the rainy season, I discovered "Torimeshi bento," a specialty from Gunma, on social media. It seems that the nearest store from Tokyo is in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture, so I went for a drive with the goal of getting some local gourmet takeout.

Taking a drive to get Gunma's local gourmet takeout in Saitama

A few days after the start of the rainy season, the weather forecast is filled with umbrella symbols, making outdoor leisure activities difficult. I can't go too far (not in the mood to go far), but I was thinking about what I could enjoy even in the rain when I discovered Gunma's famous "Torimeshi Bento" from Torihira through a post on social media.

When I searched for Torihira, the nearest store from Tokyo appears to be inside the Viva Home in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. Wanting to take out my favorite local gourmet from Gunma, I decided to take a drive.

To the Super Viva Home Higashimatsuyama Mall where Torihira is located

After driving for an hour, I arrived at the Super Viva Home Higashimatsuyama Mall store, a little further north of the Takasaka SA along National Route 407. The desired Torihira is located inside the mall connected to the home center. I also remembered while driving if there was anything I needed to buy at the home center.

I hesitate for a moment while looking at the menu!? The intriguing sauce cutlet bento

When I arrived at Denlipin, there were not only chicken rice bento boxes but also fried chicken and eel bento boxes, and what particularly caught my attention was the "Sauce Cutlet Bento." It looks incredibly delicious. This is a tough choice. Being an old-established shop, it offers local gourmet foods known only to the locals, allowing you to enjoy the joy of discovery and the deep flavors unique to the region.

As a result, I bought gloves and insect repellent that seem useful for fishing at Super Viva Home.

I was also able to purchase the "Joshu Goyō Chicken Rice Matsu Bento" (1000 yen). The simple packaging of the bento evokes the feeling of travel. The mall has many other dining options, which looked tempting to my hungry self after lunch hour, but I decided to head home quietly to enjoy the bento at home.

There was a glimpse of sunshine in the overcast sky, reflecting the author's heart. The road was wide, and I thought it would be easy to travel back and forth, just going straight north to south on the national road, making it feel like a trip to a home improvement store a bit far away just to buy some bento.

The "Joshu Goyō Chicken Rice Matsu Bento" is packed full of chicken.

There are variations of chicken rice bento, including the "Take" with thinly sliced chicken breast and the "Matsu," which includes both breast and thigh meat. Since it was my first time, I chose the latter. I got the impression that many people were recommending the Take when I looked on X.

First, I'll start with the thigh meat. The fragrant grilled meat is combined with a sweet and spicy sauce, and yet, it has a taste that is not overpowering. The thigh meat is tender and appears to be cooked in a way that allows it to be delicious even when it cools. You can feel the depth of the bento that has been loved for over 50 years.

Also, the focus on domestic ingredients is another point not to be overlooked, along with the side pickles. The fact that it has been loved for a long time serves as proof of its high quality.

When I picked up the breast meat with chopsticks, it was thinner than I expected, but I could directly feel the flavor of the sauce. The moist texture and the light flavor unique to breast meat somehow reminded me of the taste of roasted pork. On that day, I tried the pine option, but the bamboo option is priced at just 850 yen, which explains its popularity. Next time I buy, I would like to try the bamboo option as well.

It’s a difficult time to go out, but I feel like I have found a new way to spend my time.

Facility Name / Torihirabay VIVA Mall Higashimatsuyama Store
Location / 2-11-6 Shinmeimach, Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture, VIVA Mall Higashimatsuyama 1F
TEL / 0493-21-5454
Business Hours / 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Last Order 6:30 PM)

Interview and Text / Kazuma Tanaka

Search local gourmet on Amazon