This is the Koikeya Pride Potato Nihon no Kamiwaza Kyōto Yuzu Shichimi, featuring a yuzu shichimi blend crafted by Kamisha Raku, a well-known shichimi shop in Saga Arashiyama, Kyōto. The yuzu used is sourced from Nantan City, Kyōto, an area celebrated for its natural environment, often called the ‘Kyōto of the Forests’. The result is a shichimi with a distinctive yuzu peel aroma and a refined spiciness.
These chips are part of the “Pride Potato – Nihon no Kamiwaza” series, dedicated to preserving traditional culture while promoting new cultural developments across Japanese cities. A portion of the proceeds from this Kyōto-inspired product goes to Kyōto Prefecture, supporting the preservation and transmission of its cultural heritage, including the World Heritage Site ‘Historical Properties of Ancient Kyōto’.
The chips, around 1 mm thick, were coated with a fine seasoning mix in white, green, and red hues. They emitted a savoury aroma, dominated by zesty yuzu with subtle bonito undertones. Upon tasting, the crunch was satisfying, and the flavour unfolded with a tangy yuzu acidity, followed by umami notes of soy sauce and dried bonito. Towards the end, the zest of yuzu peel and the heat from the chilli emerged, building to a moderate but manageable spiciness that complemented the rich potato flavour.
These chips effectively captured the elegance of yuzu, balancing its tang with a grounded savoury profile and bold heat. We found them highly enjoyable and repurchased them in 2024 with their updated packaging.
These Koikeya Pride Potato Nihon no Kamiwaza Kyōto Yuzu Shichimi contained 53 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Hong Kong in 2023.