With the mail-order boom continuing, many people are probably wondering what to choose next... So today, an Isetan buyer who is an expert on delicious foods from all over the country introduces some mail-order gourmet foods that he recommends even if he has to buy them himself. He will taste and report on three of the five dishes that interest him!

Higo Yuki, who is in charge of "Food Collection," a popular corner at Isetan Shinjuku that introduces gourmet foods from all over the country every week, will be sharing his "special" recommendations.

1. Kuwamiryu Livestock
A must-try! Pure Kurobuta pork loin raised on "karayamo" (spicy sweet potato)

Miyazaki-Grown Kuwamiryu Kurobuta Miso-Marinated & Shio-Koji Set (1 set: Kurobuta Loin Miso-Marinated & Kurobuta Loin Shio-Koji-Marinated, 130g each, 3 pieces each) Tax included 4,860 yen 
*Best before date: 90 days when frozen, On sale all year round
First, Higo introduced us to the "Miyazaki Kuwusui Kurobuta Miso Marinated and Salted Koji Set" from Miyazaki Prefecture's "Kwusui Livestock," a regular at events held at Isetan Shinjuku. This is loin meat from purebred Kurobuta pork raised in the lush natural environment of Miyazaki on special feed mainly made from sweet potatoes (karaimo) from southern Kyushu.

"You can feel the overwhelming quality of the meat with just one bite. Its appeal lies in its 'ease of understanding'. The processed foods sold by the same brand are also good, but to experience the delicious fat and high quality of the meat, I recommend trying the loin first. It's also very easy to cook. Just grill it for 3 minutes and you've got an impeccable main dish - another reason to recommend it."

Actual Meal Review: "It's so tender, the kids love it! It goes down great with rice."


"It's great that you don't need any oil and can just grill it straight away! Grill for 1.5 minutes on each side, then 3 minutes in residual heat. The meat has been scored, so it cooks quickly. This speedy cooking time is very useful, even for busy families. The flavor was just right, the meat was tender, and it was easy for children to eat, so it was a big hit with my family. The sweetness of the pork fat and the saltiness of the miso and shio koji are perfectly balanced, making it a great choice for rice.
Keep it on hand for quick meals, and its robust flavor makes it perfect for families with growing children!

2. Pizza Petit Garçon
Kids will love it! An authentic-tasting pizza set

"Pizza Petit Garçon has a wide selection of pizzas made with seasonal ingredients, but this is one of their most popular pizza sets. Kids love pizza, so it's great to have it stocked in the freezer. The size is just right, and you can easily bake it in your oven at home to enjoy an authentic taste. The flavor is simple, so feel free to add a few toppings! "

Actual Review: "It's very filling, and has the authentic taste of a restaurant!"


"We had it for lunch on the weekend. The preparation itself is very easy; just bake it. I thought it might be a little small for four people, so I baked all three pizzas that came with the set. In our case, three pizzas was just the right amount, and we ate it all! The dough was firm, and I could really taste the wheat flavor that only whole wheat flour can provide. The cheese aroma of the "6 Kinds of Luxury Cheese Pizza" in particular was quite authentic, rivaling that of pizza you'd get at a restaurant! I recommend it for lunch or brunch, or as an extra dish when guests come over.

3. Owase Kuki
Feel luxurious with the gorgeously presented sea bream rice!

"Mie Prefecture is rich in seafood, and sea bream is one of its specialties. This taimeshi (sea bream rice) dish, made with locally caught red sea bream, can be cooked using only the included dashi stock, and the grilled sea bream on top is very filling. The visual impact of the grilled sea bream on top is impressive, and it would look great on a special occasion like a celebration. It's so luxurious you'll want to show it off to your guests."

Dining Review: "It makes a huge impact! Even the kids were excited."

4. Saikichi
Enjoy the bounty of Kesennuma at home with this seafood bowl

Saikichi Seafood Bowl Assortment (Saikichi Seafood Bowl: Mekabu, Albacore Tuna, Octopus, Salmon Roe Marinated in Soy Sauce, Scallop x 1; Saikichi Seafood Bowl: Shrimp and Herring Roe / Mekabu, Trout Salmon, Herring Roe, Scallop, Salmon Roe, Steamed Shrimp x 1; Tuna Marinated Bowl: Potted Tuna, Mekabu, White Sesame, Wasabi x 1) Tax included 3,564 yen 
* Best before date: 30 days from the date of manufacture when frozen. Sales period: all year round

The "Seafood Bowl Assortment" from Miyagi Prefecture's “Saikichi” is a set of seafood bowls lavishly packed with the bounty of Kesennuma's sea.

"Saikichi, located in the seafood-rich Kesennuma, uses traditional methods to process fresh ingredients. All of their products are delicious, and they've been a long-time favorite with many fans. While their famous "Golden Sanma" (Saury) is also recommended, this time we've chosen a seafood bowl that's easy to make at home, taking advantage of the flavors of ingredients selected by seafood professionals. It includes three types, so you won't get bored of it, and it's great for sharing with family. Each ingredient is the perfect amount for a bowl of rice. Of course, you can also enjoy it on its own without rice. Perfect as a companion to your evening drinks or as a final meal!"

5. Gyoza Gyoten
Enjoy three different flavors! A variety of gyoza sets

Assorted Gyoza Set of 3 (1 set: 220g x 1 red gyoza (12 pieces), 220g x 1 green gyoza (12 pieces), 210g x 1 white gyoza (12 pieces)) 3,348 yen including tax
*Stays frozen for 60 days from the date of manufacture. Sold all year round. Finally, we have the "Three Kinds of Gyoza Assortment" from Akita Prefecture's "Gyoza Gyoten." Gyoza can often be monotonous in flavor, but this set is a little different. The three types include "Red Gyoza," with a unique blend of several chili peppers kneaded into the dough; "White Gyoza," with a chewy texture and the gentle flavor of wheat; and "Green Gyoza," with Akita butterbur and domestic spinach kneaded into the dough and filled with plenty of shiso leaves, allowing you to enjoy the unique characteristics of each.

"The 'Red, White, and Green' gyoza look gorgeous. They're made with no artificial additives, domestic ingredients, and even the skins are handmade, so you can feed them to your children without worry. They've been a long-time favorite at the 'Food Collection' event at Isetan Shinjuku. They also have a strong flavor, so I'd definitely recommend them to families with growing children."

There are still so many gourmet foods across the country that you'll want to try! The best part about ordering food online is being able to easily enjoy the unique flavors of each region at home. Why not take advantage of this boom and keep on discovering new delicious things every day?

Text: Kei Writers Club

*The information published in this article is current as of the publication date, but product information may be revised or changed without notice.