【Sagamihara Tour】Comparing the special croquettes from famous butcher shops

When thinking of croquettes, do you imagine a juicy flavor packed with minced meat? Or perhaps a fluffy taste full of potatoes? We visited butcher shops in Sagamihara and tried three croquettes rumored to be delicious.

Perfectly fluffy and full of commitment! Hearty Meat Croquette

The first stop was "Kozakuta Handmade Ham Sagamihara," located in Chuo Ward, Sagamihara City. It is a store that handles hams and sausages made from Kozakuta pork, selected as one of Kanagawa’s 100 specialties.

It seems they have a commitment to making products without unnecessary additives, to enhance the natural flavor of the ingredients. I visited on a weekday morning, and the shop was bustling with customers.

Inside the store, there are not only hams and sausages but also fresh meats and fried foods. The target item, the "Hearty Meat Croquette" (140 yen), was right next to the register! The croquette I picked up was steaming hot.

Oh! This is "potato that is perfectly fluffy." However, as I continued to eat, the flavor of the minced meat started to stand out. I had the image that croquettes were primarily about the potatoes, but this might be a supporting role. It enhances the deliciousness of the minced meat, resulting in an authentically rich flavor. It's a taste that is different from the home-cooked flavors made by my mother.

Since I bought a lot, I ate half in the car and savored the other half slowly when I got home. I even tried eating it cold, and I was amazed by how the deliciousness remained unchanged. Even after enjoying that deliciousness, the pleasant aftertaste of the croquette lingered in my mind.

Kozakuta Handmade Ham Sagamihara
Location: 1-2-18 Yasae, Chuo Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

The coating is crispy, and the croquette is packed with juicy, rich ground meat

Next, I stopped by "Niku no Asahiya," a place that my friend, who lives nearby, frequents often. The interior has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned butcher shop. When I visited, there were several groups of customers, and everyone was buying not only meat but also prepared dishes. The conversations with the staff were lively, and it was evident that the place is loved by the locals.

The "croquette" (151 yen) is about the same size as the previous croquette, but the color of the fried coating is slightly darker. I wonder what it tastes like.

This one is also delicious! It's tasty, but the flavor and texture are surprisingly different from the previous croquette. To be honest, I thought there wouldn’t be that much difference in croquettes, so this is a pleasant discovery.

The coating is sturdy and super crispy! While it has a rustic charm, it is filled with plenty of ground meat, allowing you to enjoy the juicy umami of the meat itself. Since the richness is strong, it pairs well with rice, but it's also delicious on its own. If this were in my neighborhood, I might end up visiting frequently. This addictive taste seems to attract people.

Niku no Asahiya
Location: 4-28-7 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Crispy and fluffy, the nostalgic taste is addictive! Happy Croquettes

The last place I visited was "Niku no Happy," located just a short walk from JR Yokohama Line Fuchinobe Station. It’s a long-established butcher shop with over 70 years of history. Although it's close to the station, there are multiple coin parking options nearby, making it easily accessible by car. Even though it's a bit far from my home, the variety of side dishes is simply delicious. On this day, I was fortunate to purchase smoothly, but it’s not uncommon to see a wait of about five groups.

"Happy Croquette" (302 yen) is quite large!

Oh my... This is different in taste and texture from the croquettes I've had before. The batter is the thinnest, yet there's a crispy texture that lets you savor the filling directly. The potatoes inside still have a chunky texture... but somehow they are sweet. Is this sweetness coming from the potatoes? The depth of sweetness combined with the savory flavor of the ground meat results in a high-quality croquette.

It reminds me of the croquettes I ate in school lunches a long time ago. There are surely many who prefer this kind of taste over croquettes filled with lots of ground meat. My family said this was their favorite croquette.

Niku no Happy
Location: 3-19-14 Fuchinobe, Chuo Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM