From National Route 9, there is a shop specializing in roasted sweet potatoes whose landmark is a tent with an SL-shaped oven that catches the eye of motorists. Repeat customers from all over the Kinki region come to enjoy the variety of sweets made with sweet potatoes that are slowly roasted to become sticky and melty.
Susumu Goto, 48, a lumber merchant from Sonobe Town, runs the business next to the Reinbo Main Store in Yagicho, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture. In January 2021, he took on the challenge of running a roasted sweet potato shop, which he had admired since he was a child, using his experience working at Reinbo for about 20 years.
''It's not interesting if it's the same as anywhere else,'' he says, and is particular about the manufacturing method and taste. The kiln is a custom-made SL type that raises smoke from the chimney. In an effort to give form to our passion for forest circulation, we initially baked the cake using wood from Miyama Town, but with a bitter smile, ''It burned well and we couldn't keep the temperature right.'' Currently, they are carefully grilled using Bincho charcoal for two and a half hours, about twice as long as usual.
You can choose between Beniharuka, which is ''dripping with honey,'' and Silk Sweet, which is ''moist and smooth.'' Mr. Goto laughs and says, ''We are stubborn people.There are different factions, such as happy people, so it's difficult.''
At first, they only sold roasted sweet potatoes, but since spring temperatures have warmed up, they've started adding smoothies, and they're also focusing on side dishes. Imo kenpi is especially popular. ''Many of our customers have weak teeth due to aging,'' he said, adding that the sweets have a soft texture and are popular among young people because they look great in photos, so the sweets, which are made from large potatoes and can reach up to 25 centimeters in length, are popular.
Another signature item is the ''croissant taiyaki,'' which is unique to a potato specialty store. I added the sweet potato with the skin on along with the red bean paste. He told me how to freeze the baked sweet potato and bake it again with the croissant dough to "increase the melty texture." The menu has grown to about 20 items, including brûlée made with homemade custard made with eggs from Hiyoshi Town and topped with chilled potatoes.
In addition to Nantan City, there are also people who come from Osaka and Mie Prefectures. Mr. Goto said enthusiastically, ''I'm confident in the deliciousness that came after much trial and error.I want every car passing through the national highway to stop by at least once.''
