Bento from Store Teru @ Akaogi

Morning walk in Sani

I always pass through Akaogi area when I go to southern part of island. Akaogi is still the area right after the start of trip, so no reason to stop there.

But I always see the "BENTO" sign or flag in front of the "Store TERU" in Akaogi. So I decided to go there for check Bento in the name of Bento Hunter in Amami.

You can check the front view of the store from the link above. And I forgot to take photos store inside, so description by words only.

It sells variety of stuffs, very much comparable with regular convenience store. And you can even find local made vegetables with affordable price.

I can easily imagine this store is rooted well in this Akaogi area.

As for Bento, I visited Teru before 11:00 AM, but only one Bento box left!

Rice balls were only two left!

I could buy both Bento and 2 rice balls luckily.

Also, I bough one sandwich out of two left.

I should come earlier if I want to choose Bento in this store.

And there was Bento already packed separately for the reservation, so if I really needed to buy Bento from here, then I should make reservation.

Bento (580JPY), Fried noodle (200JPY), Sandwich (310JPY)

Rice balls (150JPY each)

Contents of Bento, you can find mackerel, chicken,  and pork. Each flavored with sweet vinegar. Taste somewhat similar to Chinese food, but much more light taste.

Side dish vegetables are also seasoned with vinegar but different way than meats above. Papaya pickles seems also hand-made.

What made me grin most was the rice. I found the rice is quite important essence in Bento. You can see from the rice area in the Bento box.

Egg wrapping rice ball with bonito flake & kelp(konbu)

Luncheon meat rice ball with bonito flake & miso

Good rice of Teru also works well in rice ball. Rice ball made with pretty much soft squeeze. So you should handle with care when you bite. Inside of rice ball, both two are taste sweet. The balance of ingredients and rice are superb!

Sandwich, which I forgot to take solo photo of it, is also very interesting. Sandwich of 310JPY to me seems a bit expensive in Amami standard, however I could enjoy just right amount. No complain with the price.
The chicken inside is teriyaki taste, and again, sweet. And the bread was the most interesting part. It is not the normal square bread. It seems big rounded loaf are cut in 1/4?? Soft and chewy texture, and guess what, lightly sweet.

This sense of unity of sweetness is the key part of this shop, I suppose. And I liked it very much!

Like Nakae Bento store last time, I am already a fan of Teru. Availability of Bento is one concern, but it could be also one of entertainment. You never know what you can buy or even miss the Bento. Your luck could be tested here😁

And the main reason for heading south of Amami island.

Harvesting oranges in Nagara. I have old warehouse / barn in Nagara, Uken. The traditional warehouse called "Takakura" more than 100 years old.

And around Takakura, there are 2 orange trees ready to harvest.

Ponkan?

Ponkan?

Iyokan

Iyokan?

not much but big & heavy!

Original owner did not know what kind of orange he planted. Therefore the names below photos are my guess.

In spring time both trees put many flowers that worries me to weaken the tree if every flower became orange. But time goes and Amami's strong wind blew away many of flowers and baby oranges. It turns out only few left, but grew big!

I am not a farmer, so this result is already satisfying. I hope I will get sweet oranges again next season!