Flavourful side dish but dear

Nagaimo Shoyujitate Wasabizuki

Brand: 7-11

Price: 258 yen

Place of purchase: 7-11 convenience store

Rating:

I got hooked on tubers used in Japanese cuisine when I first tried Chinese yams. These vegetables are referred to as nagaimo or yamaimo in Japanese. One of the surprising and delightful qualities of yamaimo is that you can eat it raw. It's soothing and cool in hot weather. In the okazu selection at 7-11, I found this small serving of yams dressed with katsuo fish flakes and soy sauce. The wasabi is in a separate packet. The combination of sweet, umami, and salty flavours is lovely. Even when the yams are close to the product best-before label, they're great.

The flavours and textures of this okazu, or side-dish, are great. I've augmented my dinner twice now with this dish. The only quibble is the expense. Convenience costs, and in this case, I wonder if I should just start making my own yamaimo dishes. I've posted about a similar tuber, yamatoimo, which I pan-fried in butter and dressed with soy sauce and sprouts. I have yet to eat them raw. However, yamaimo are great prepared raw. Yes, a bit slimy, but the texture is lovely when it's chilled. Homemade is cheaper and maybe tastier.