From the sea to 2000m high mountains, Tsuruoka's natural landscape offers a wide range of temperatures. This region is blessed with diverse and bountiful produce as the plentiful snowfall and accumulated biomass from the surrounding vegetation create the optimal environment for the growth of mountain vegetables.
Udo, Japanese spikenard, is a wild vegetable available in spring. It is usually served as tempura or kinpira, as the vegetable has a slight bitterness to it.