Food tastying tour “Tasty Sakhalin”

Duration: 7 days
Tour date: June-September

Route program

In the world of tourism, the Sakhalin region is quite famous. This is the only region in Russia, that is completely located on islands. This is the region where the penal colony existed in XIX-XX centuries. In XX century Sakhalin was divided between Russia and Japan, and during Japanese governorship, a lot of Koreans were brought here as a workforce. After the end of World War II many Koreans and Japanese remained on Sakhalin.

All these events took its toll on the gastronomy image of Sakhalin. Japanese and Korean cuisines are widely spread on Sakhalin no less than the traditional Russian one.

Sakhalin and Kuril Islands are rich with a wide variety of seafood and delicacies. Crab, oysters, scallops, sea urchins, red caviar, etc., this is a long list to describe. The history of cooking and eating fish appeared on Sakhalin few centuries ago. Even during the time, when Sakhalin was inhabited by indigenous people – such as Nivhs, Ainu, Evenks, Nanaians – fish was the main source of catching and living.

You have a unique opportunity to get a true gastronomy delight while learning more about our unusual region. Historical, cultural, and natural attractions intertwine with gastronomy adventure. You will not only taste huge oysters, freshly cooked shrimps, sea urchins, mussels, different kinds of crab and fish, and fresh red caviar but also take part in masterclasses, learn the secrets of cooking traditional dishes of Korean and Japanese cuisines. Moreover, you will witness the ceremonies of indigenous people of Sakhalin and learn the mystery of their recipes, that have been collected for centuries and passed on from generation to generation.

Japanese cuisine

Japanese cuisine is the first cuisine you will get acquainted with during your journey. You must have heard quite a lot about sushi, rolls, miso soup, and ramen. But have you ever had an opportunity to cook rolls and sashimi with fresh seafood? This day you will have a chance to make your favorite rolls with your own hands. Additionally, we would cook miso soup with tofu and shiitake mushrooms.

Korean cuisine

Every one of us wants something spicy from time to time. And here Korean cuisine is at your service. We would not only tell you about different kinds of He salads but also choose the one you would like the most. You would taste familiar to Sakhalin people salads with wild herbs and kimchi. And of course, the main dishes - Hemultan soup (made with fresh seafood) and spiced Kimchi Bokkeum.

Salmon dishes

What are you thinking about when you hear about Sakhalin? We are sure that the first words that come to your mind are fish and caviar. We would share the best recipe of fish soup, cooked at the open fire, smoke the fish according to old techniques, and, of course, make fresh caviar, that you would cook under the supervision of our chief. And finally, we would cook a salted salmon, that you can take with you when you go back home.

Giant oysters at Busse lake

Have you eve heard about our oysters? And have you ever been to the lake, which shallow waters are full of oysters? You are going to be very surprised by what you see. Oysters, scallop, whelk, mussels. Our chief would show you the ways of cooking them. Many people are surprised when we say that all of this could be cooked, since they are used to eat them raw, but we would show you the best recipes of these amazing delicacies.

Fishing at Okhotsk sea

It is time to go fishing since we are on Sakhalin and are surrounded by the sea. The motorboat awaits to take us to Okhotsk sea when you can try your luck at fishing perch, codfish, greenling, and salmon. After fishing, at the seaside the already familiar chief with fresh and living crabs would meet us. This way, apart from the fish you would be able to catch, you would have the main symbol of Sakhalin cuisine at your table - crab.

Day 1

Arrival at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation till 02:00 PM.

05:30 PM - Master class of cooking Japanese dishes at the restaurant. Supper.

07:30 PM - 08:30 PM - Evening sightseeing tour at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2