[Anime Culture Monday] Anime Recipes: Jaga Butter from Isekai Shokudou

11:00 AM September 4, 2017

It is time again to see something delicious that we have seen over the past few weeks and this week, yet again, we will be looking at a scrumptious meal from everyone’s favorite airing show, Isekai Shokudou. Aletta is not a big fan of potatoes. I mean, she really does not like them since she had to survive on them in the past when she had nothing. So, after helping customers who were arguing about which dish went better as a sandwich, Aletta told the master again that she really is not a fan of potatoes since they are something she consumes in a time of great need. One thing that is really fantastic is how she really seems to be quite intuitive about locations, but the concept of an elevator throws her off and the concept of a panty is mind-blowing. Thankfully though, we don’t dwell on it for too long as she is taught about how to steam things and bam. We get baked potatoes.

Kinda… a baked potato with butter only is something that is a bit mind-blowing as we usually have ours loaded up with all sorts of toppings. However in Japan, the concept of a buttered potato is something that is actually really popular during festival seasons. You don’t really eat it at home, but rather out and about when you are going to, say, see a fireworks festival or enjoy a summer festival. And yes, you do just eat them while holding it on your hand or in a tray. You do not get a fork, knife, or spoon! Let’s go.

Jaga Butter from Isekai Shokudou

Like we said above, Jaga Butter is something that people almost treat as if it is a treat itself. Festivals, fireworks shows, and more are where you can find them. You get them from a food stall and sometimes, it will even be just on a stick. Jaga is short for Jagaimo which means potato, so this is not that difficult of a name to remember. It can be steamed as the master shows Aletta, but they can also be boiled or baked. Recently they have started to appear at Izakaya or Japanese pubs as well in Japan. Frequently too, the potatoes will have butter shoved down into them while they are cooking and then topped with butter again once it comes out of the steamer. Mmm Mmm, artery clogging goodness. With a crosshatch across the top to help the butter get down deep into the potato, let’s go and we will show you some variations as well!

What You Will Need:

Idaho Potatoes

3-4

Butter

Salt and pepper

Optional Notes:

As you can see from the ingredient list, this is not a complicated dish especially considering this is a western dish for the most part. However, you can make the Japanese loaded version by loading it up with butter, mayonnaise (no, that is not a mistake), mentaiko which is a type of very small fish eggs, and cheese. Another variation uses just butter and mentaiko (Catching a theme here?). Another big variation is to fork open your buttered potato and add in sliced ham. You can also make this version with Japanese sweet potatoes if you would like as well!

How to Cook It:

1
You need to cook your potato. However before you do, cut a large X in the top of the potato about halfway down it.
2
A popular way to do it is to wrap it in plastic wrap and then microwave it for a few minutes.
3
You can steam it as well if you have a steamer or a double bottom stock pot.
4
It should take about 30 minutes or so to make them as soft as possible.
5
Once it comes out, place slices of butter deep into the potato.
6
Dig in!

(Note: Steam will burn you. Be careful. )

Yum!

Final Thought

It might be a bit of a western-esque dish, but either way, clearly people across the globe love it. Whether it is at a festival or not, people always seem ready to enjoy a good, buttered potato. There are variations though that you can check out in the optional version. For us, we really like the mentaiko, butter, and cheese version and we recommend it if you are feeling adventurous. Would you be willing to try one in Japanese fashion will all of the toppings? Be sure to let us know in the comments below what you think and if you are interested in Isekai Shokudou and the delicious food it is bringing us! Till next time,

Editor/Translator

Author: Nagareboshi

American by birth; international by choice. I am trying to bring attention to one of my favorite causes; me. I translate by day and write by night. Aspiring polyglot. My dream would be to be the personal translator for Amuro Namie. Other than that, my hobbies include languages, weightlifting, sleeping, karaoke, GOOD coffee and music. When I’m not doing any of the above, I am most likely laughing hysterically at Willam Belli videos or EV farming. I ain’t gunna Rupologize for it neither. Waifu are Shirai Kuroko & Euaerin.

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