There are many reasonably priced and delicious foods in Kyushu compared to Tokyo, and I would highly recommend Saga’s Sicilian Rice.
What is Sicilian rice? Many of you may be wondering.
Sicilian rice is a one-plate dish of warm rice topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and stir-fried beef and finished with mayonnaise.
Sicilian rice with raw vegetables and meat on rice is hearty and satisfying, and the high point is that you can eat it with less guilt because of the large amount of vegetables.
So, in this article, I will explain about Saga’s Sicilian rice, its history, appealing points, recommended famous restaurants and sightseeing spots in the area, including my experience.
I hope you will be inspired to learn more about Saga’s Sicilian rice.
Why the name “Sicilian Rice” in the first place?
There are various theories as to the origin of the name “Sicilian Rice,” but the most popular theory is that it was inspired by the Italian island of Sicilia, the setting of the popular 1970s movie “The Godfather.
It is said that the cook at the coffee shop that first served this dish at the time was a big fan of The Godfather and named it after Sicily.
Another theory is that it was named in response to “Turkish rice” in Nagasaki, a neighboring prefecture.
It is also said that the name was inspired by the geographical relationship between Saga and Nagasaki, as the country of Syria is located next to the country of Turkey.
Many store owners believe that the name changed from “Syria” to “Sicilia” and became “Sicilian Rice.
How did Saga’s Sicilian Rice come about?
Sicilian rice is said to have been created around 1975 as an unpaid dish at a coffee shop in the center of Saga City.
The popular theory is that it started as a makanai dish at a coffee shop, and since then it has become a staple menu item at restaurants in Saga City.
The basic recipe is very simple: sweet and spicy stir-fried meat and raw vegetables on a bed of warm rice, topped with mayonnaise.
Today, it has become a popular home-style dish and continues to evolve, with local ingredients such as Saga beef, Mitsuse chicken, and wild boar being used, and each restaurant adding its own original arrangements.
April 4 has been recognized as “Sicilian Rice Day,” and Saga City is making a concerted regional effort to promote the dish, including the founding of the “Sicilian Rice Kingdom.
It seems that Saga City is working hard to revitalize the town with Sicilian Rice, so I kind of want to go there and support them…
Three Attractions of Saga’s Sicilian Rice
I have summarized some of the attractions of Saga’s Sicilian rice.
Gorgeous coloring and good nutritional balance
The most attractive feature of Sicilian rice is its gorgeous appearance, with an abundance of vegetables arranged as if they were a mountain of salad.
In addition to lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, some restaurants combine various vegetables such as bell peppers and grilled eggplant to create a colorful dish.
It is said that this vibrant coloring is reminiscent of the Italian tricolor flag, with the red of the tomatoes, the green of the lettuce, and the white of the mayonnaise.
In addition to its beautiful appearance, the dish is also characterized by its nutritional balance, with warm rice, stir-fried meat, and crispy fresh vegetables all in one dish, and has been described as “a kind of complete meal.
It is loved by men and women of all ages as a menu that combines diversity of textures and nutritional balance.
Diverse variations that make the most of local ingredients
Although the basic structure of the menu is simple, each restaurant in Saga City has its own unique arrangement using local specialties.
In particular, Saga beef, Mitsuse chicken, wild boar, and other ingredients unique to Saga are used to create a dish with a rich regional flavor.
At upscale restaurants, originality and ingenuity can be seen, such as seasoning Saga beef with sweet and spicy seasoning and garnishing it with lotus root chips.
More sophisticated restaurants use roast beef instead of stir-fried meat, add demi-glace sauces with herbs, and offer “gourmet Sicilian rice” with an upscale feel.
Mayonnaise is also mixed with balsamic vinegar or combined with blueberry sauce, depending on the restaurant, providing a fun eating experience.
A special dining experience to be enjoyed with Saga’s scenery
At the restaurant on the top floor of the Saga Prefectural Office, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the Saga Plain and even the Ariake Sea while eating Sicilian rice.
The view from about 50 meters above the ground is a special element that enhances the flavor of the Sicilian rice.
You can also taste the unique Sicilian rice at various other attractive places in Saga, such as a café in a historical building and a tea house in Mitsuse-mura, a village rich in nature.
The playful combination of different ingredients and sauces in a dish can be enjoyed to one’s liking, as in the expression, “You can enjoy different flavors and tastes depending on where you put your spoon.
Sicilian rice is not just a dish, but a comprehensive dining experience to be enjoyed together with the landscape and culture of Saga.
Indeed. I’m interested in the restaurant on the top floor of the Saga Prefectural Office, since I’ve been seeing a lot of media coverage lately about the cafeteria at the ward office…
My recommendation for the best Sicilian rice restaurants in Saga
In this article, I would like to introduce some of the best Sicilian rice restaurants in Saga and their recommended menus.
My recommendation for the best Sicilian rice restaurants in Saga
My recommendation for the best Sicilian rice restaurants in Saga
Mitsuse Tea House Yamaboshi
✅ Recommended Points
- This old house-style cafe is located along the national highway in Mitsusemura, Saga City.
- Surrounded by rich nature, the quiet environment and homey atmosphere are appealing.
- The original menu using fruit from the owner’s blueberry farm is popular, and customers can enjoy their meals while enjoying the seasonal scenery of Mise.
- The homey and cozy space is loved not only by locals but also by tourists on their way to drive around, and the location is easily accessible from the Saga Yamato Interchange.
✅ Recommended menu
- Mitsuse Chicken Sicilian Rice
- The “Mitsuse Chicken Sicilian Rice” (850 yen with soup) is made with local Mitsuse chicken cooked in teriyaki style and six kinds of fresh vegetables.
- The most distinctive feature of this dish is the brightly colored special sauce made from a combination of blueberries from the restaurant’s own farm and mayonnaise.
- At first glance, this may seem like an unexpected combination, but it goes perfectly with the moist and tender chicken.
- The “ripe blueberry parfait” is also recommended after dinner and is popular as a luxurious dessert in which large blueberries can be enjoyed in various forms such as ice cream, yogurt cake, and jelly.
Ajisai Okamoto
✅ Recommended Points
- This private izakaya-style restaurant is conveniently located under the station elevated railway tracks, a one-minute walk from Saga Station.
- The bright interior, with an L-shaped counter surrounding the kitchen and a sunken kotatsu seating area, creates a relaxed atmosphere that is not overly crowded.
- Reasonable prices and friendly service make it a favorite among local regulars.
- Lunch time is especially popular, and the warm hand towel and tea service is a nice touch.
- At night, the restaurant serves as an izakaya (Japanese style bar) where you can enjoy dishes using fresh seafood from Saga, making it a hidden gem that you should visit day and night.
✅ Recommended menu
- Yakiniku Flavor Sicilian Rice
- The “Yakiniku Flavor Sicilian Rice” (500 yen for lunch) features a different style of yakiniku rice bowl from the typical Sicilian rice.
- Shredded cabbage is laid on a bed of rice, and a generous portion of sweet and spicy seasoned beef is placed on top along with onions.
- Colorful vegetables such as green peppers and tomatoes accentuate the dish, and the flavor of the beef, mayonnaise, and crunchy vegetables blend perfectly with the hot rice.
- The reasonable price despite the generous portion is also attractive. In the evening, the “Kaisen-don” (seafood bowl) with fresh seafood is also a dish not to be missed.
Restaurant & Cafe Romanza
✅ Recommended Points
- This Taisho-romantic café-restaurant is located in the Saga City History and Folk Museum in Yanagimachi, Saga City.
- The restaurant’s prestigious interior, which is housed in a 100-year-old former Koga Bank building, with its high ceilings and antique furniture, is a special space where you can fully experience the historic townscape of Saga.
- Concerts are held regularly, and you can sometimes enjoy fine music along with your meal.
- The owner says he hopes to use the restaurant as “a place to nurture local artists,” and this refined restaurant conveys the charms of Saga in terms of both culture and food.
✅ Recommended menu
- Sicilian Rice with Romanza Style
- The “Romanza-style Sicilian Rice” (980 yen) is a luxurious dish that uses Japanese roast beef instead of the usual stir-fried meat.
- Saga Prefecture’s “Hinohikari” rice is arranged in a circle and served with herb-infused roast beef and three kinds of dressing (demi-glace sauce, Italian basil, and coleslaw) for a sophisticated taste.
- With its colorful vegetables and exquisite acidity, this Sicilian rice dish is both modern and Saga-inspired, giving it a truly “romantic” feel.
Oh. Even the same Sicilian rice has different characteristics depending on the restaurant, so it’s really hard to decide which one to try…
Column: Why is April 4 Sicilian Rice Day?
The reason why April 4 was established as Sicilian Rice Day is because of the word “Sisilian Rice” (シ(4)シ(4)Rice).
This anniversary was established by the Saga City Tourism Association to spread awareness of Saga City’s local delicacy, Sicilian Rice.
Saga City holds a special event on this day every year, including a ceremony in which the special Sicilian rice is presented to the Mayor of Saga, the “King of the Kingdom of Saga Sicilian Rice.
Furthermore, as part of the PR efforts, an event was held on April 4, 2022, where the Mayor of Sakai City was inaugurated as the new King of the Sicilian Kingdom.
In this way, Saga City is actively promoting efforts to brand local delicacies and increase their value as tourism resources by taking advantage of “Shishi (44)” Day.
Hee. The mayor of Saga is doing a great job… It’s good to see the whole town trying to promote the event.
Recommended places to stop by in Saga while dining
Here are three recommended places to stop by in Saga during your meal.
✅ Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum
Located on the ruins of Saga Castle in the center of Saga City, the Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum tells the history of the Saga Clan, which led the modernization of Japan at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868).
It is one of the largest wooden reconstructions in Japan, faithfully restoring the Honmaru Goten of the Tempo Period, and boasts a vast area of approximately 2,500 square meters.
The museum also features exhibits on science and technology, and introduces the achievements of the great men and women of Saga, and has been selected as one of the 100 Great Castles of Japan.
In addition to the beauty of the historical buildings, the museum is also popular for its resident volunteer guides and the historical skits performed every Sunday by the “Eight Saga Sages of the Bakumatsu and Meiji Era Omotenashi-tai”.
The Saga Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, as well as Saga Castle Park with its beautiful cherry blossoms and camphor trees, are also located in the vicinity, allowing visitors to fully enjoy both nature and culture.
