Karashi Renkon (Mustard-stuffed fried lotus root)
A celebrated local specialty of Kumamoto

About Karashi Renkon (Mustard-stuffed fried lotus root)

Crisp lotus root meets the sharp heat of mustard miso that rises to the nose. Enjoyed throughout Kumamoto Prefecture, it is often served as a snack with drinks.

To make this Kumamoto specialty, lotus root holes are filled with karashi miso—a mixture of barley miso and Japanese mustard—then coated in a yellow batter and deep-fried. According to the shop, the dish dates back nearly 400 years, to 1632, when its ancestor Heigorō presented it to the feudal lord of the time, Hosokawa Tadatoshi. Originally made as a health food for the lord, karashi renkon is said to contain many beneficial components and to help nourish and strengthen the body.

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