Homegrown wild vegetables create an aesthetic culinary feast~Farmer

By & Photo: Chi Binghui

When it comes to wild vegetables from the mountains, people often think of healthiness, freshness, and natural ingredients, or perhaps the high prices of kaiseki cuisine. But this restaurant on Mount Taihei in Akita combines health, deliciousness, and art, all at an affordable price. Both the ingredients and the presentation show the owner’s care, and each dish looks like a work of art—one you don’t want to finish too quickly.

“Farmer's Kitchen Shun(ファーマーズキッチン·シュン)” is located near the entrance of Mount Taihei Ski Resort and can be reached in about 10 minutes. Surrounding the restaurant are various types of vegetables grown by the owners, the Kumagai couple. With a wide variety of vegetables, neat fields, and a pleasant environment, the farm-to-table concept ensures customers can eat with peace of mind.

The dining area has limited seating, accommodating only about 20 guests. Most customers make reservations in advance. Mr. Kumagai Yukio, who is both the owner and head chef, arranges portion sizes based on the number of reservations and designs the menu according to seasonal vegetables, complemented by meat and seafood to create exquisite dishes. The most delightful aspect is the careful plating and decoration of each dish—even the dinner plates are gender-specific, showcasing the Japanese emphasis on dining details.

The first dish may seem like a common salad found in set meals, but upon closer inspection and tasting, it turns out to be anything but ordinary. Over 10 different types of vegetables can be found here, and every bite and every slice offers a unique flavor experience—from sweet and slightly bitter to the sharp kick of mustard—flavors you rarely get to enjoy all at once in a typical meal.

The next course is an individual mixed platter divided into three parts. The fresh raw beef roll melts in your mouth and, when eaten together with the side ingredients and sauce, delivers a rich variety of textures. The other two boxed sections contain over five small dishes such as cod crackers with sauce, vegetable rolls, onion pie, fish, and pickles, allowing you to savor the chef’s exquisitely crafted mini dishes all at once.