Saito Sozaiten Korokke-ya has been serving delicious and affordable croquettes to visitors of Sendai’s Asaichi Morning Market for over 60 years.
Despite the rainy conditions caused by Typhoon Kong-rey, the shop still attracted a queue, with over 10 groups of customers patiently waiting. After initially passing by, we returned about an hour later and found the line more manageable, with only three groups ahead of us.
The shop offers an extensive variety of deep-fried items, including seasonal specials not listed on the menu.
All items are freshly prepared in the kitchen behind the counter, ensuring freshness and quality. To the left of the shop, a small seating area with makeshift benches allows customers to enjoy their purchases on-site—avoiding the ‘faux pas’ of eating while walking.
Each item boasted a golden-brown crust that was satisfyingly crisp and crunchy without feeling greasy or oily. Below are the items we tried:
Aji Fry (¥160)
The aji fry featured fresh, flaky fish with no oily aftertaste. It was light yet deeply satisfying.
Ebi Katsu (¥160)
Packed with mini shrimp, the ebi katsu delivered plump, juicy bites filled with a delightful oceanic flavour.
Jaga Jaga Croquette (¥90)
This croquette surprised us with its sweetness, unusual for mashed potato. Its flavour leaned more to my preference over D’s, but it was still enjoyable.
Menchi Katsu (¥130)
This menchi katsu stood out for its lightness and loosely packed minced interior, perfectly seasoned for a full-flavoured bite. It was so good we considered ordering more, though we wanted to try other items. A definite repurchase on a future visit.
Yakiguri Croquette (¥130)
A seasonal item, this chestnut croquette was unexpectedly savoury, featuring visible and textural chunks of chestnut. Its restrained sweetness and rich chestnut flavour made it a standout croquette.
Hire Tonkatsu (¥180)
Though it appeared dry, the hire tonkatsu was tender and easy to eat, defying expectations with its balanced texture.
Rosu Tonkatsu (¥250)
The rosu tonkatsu had a darker, richer pork flavour and was juicier than the hire. Though designed as an accompaniment to rice, it was equally enjoyable on its own.
Crab Cream Croquette (¥90)
Served warm, this croquette was exceptionally creamy, with a rich crab umami flavour. Its texture was just firm enough to hold its shape, and it would pair beautifully with rice.
We thoroughly enjoyed everything we tried at Saito Sozaiten Korokke-ya. The delicious food, paired with its convenient location, makes this shop a must-visit for anyone travelling to Sendai.
Saito Sozaiten Korokke-ya is located at Sendai Asaichi Street, 4-3-27 Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 980-0021, Japan.