This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
Akita Prefecture is known as one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions. According to a 2016 announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Akita Prefecture ranks third in the nation in terms of rice harvest volume. It is precisely because of this that Akita Prefecture has so many dishes that use rice. One of the most famous is "Kiritanpo," which can also be found in Tokyo!
This time, we will introduce "Kiritanpo Nabe," a traditional hotpot dish that you should try if you visit Akita Prefecture. It is a traditional food loved by the locals, and is considered the epitome of winter in Akita Prefecture!
What is Kiritanpo? A long, thin rice snack
Kiritanpo nabe is a hotpot containing an ingredient called "kiritanpo."
Kiritanpo is a white, long, chewy food made from kneaded rice. Kiritanpo is made by cooking rice hard, mashing it, and then attaching it to a stick like chikuwa fish paste. In Akita, it is sometimes made at home, and each household has their own preferences when it comes to the hardness and how much of the rice texture they want to retain when mashing it. It is a taste you definitely want to try if you travel to Akita, but at the same time, kiritanpo is a food that can be considered a home-cooked taste in Akita
It is said that the origin of the word "kiritanpo" came from a spear used in training. This spear was called a short-tipped spear, and because it looked similar in shape, the name "tanpo" = "kiritanpo" came to be used. It is said that when the lord asked "What is this delicious dish?" and the person had not yet decided on a name for it, he immediately answered "It is kiritanpo," and this is how the name came about
Kiritanpo is often eaten in hotpot, but in Akita it is also grilled with sweet miso. There is a restaurant in front of the station in Akita City, the prefectural capital, that serves traditional kiritanpo
The key is ingredients unique to Akita Prefecture!
In addition to kiritanpo, kiritanpo nabe typically contains parsley, green onions, burdock, mushrooms, and konnyaku threads. Depending on the home or restaurant, water shield and wild vegetables may also be added. The fact that the ingredients may vary slightly depending on the restaurant or home shows that it is a traditional dish with a taste that is loved in households
Also, don't forget the chicken as an ingredient!
Akita Prefecture is also famous for its Hinai Jidori chicken, one of Japan's three most delicious chickens. Kiritanpo nabe uses chicken such as Hinai Jidori to make the broth, and the meat used is chewy and full of flavor. The sake used in the nabe is also a specialty of Akita, so it's no exaggeration to say that you can enjoy Akita's signature ingredients in just one nabe
In the hot pot, the kiritanpo rice balls absorb the broth from the various ingredients and melt away. One bite and you'll be amazed at how simple yet full of flavor they are. Akita is also famous for its sake, so this is a perfect pairing for a cold winter
You can also order it online!
Of course, Kiritanpo nabe is best enjoyed in Akita, where it is made, but for those who live in areas where it is difficult to make the journey, it can be ordered online. Kiritanpo nabe sets are sold in souvenir shops, and can also be received as a gift in return for making hometown tax donations to local governments in Akita Prefecture
Each restaurant has different ingredients in their sets, so it might be fun to compare them and find a Kiritanpo hotpot with ingredients that suit your taste
It's so beloved that it's even been made into merchandise!
Also, when talking about Akita Prefecture, the first thing that comes to mind is "Kiritanpo!", so much so that you can often find merchandise with a kiritanpo motif all over the prefecture
Kiritanpo is plentiful in Akita Prefecture, including earpicks and straps shaped like kiritanpo. Not only locals but also tourists visiting the prefecture often ask, "Is this shaped like kiritanpo?", which shows how well-known kiritanpo is
Kiritanpo and kiritanpo nabe are not only souvenirs and traditional dishes, but are also very familiar dishes for the people of Akita Prefecture. There are many restaurants in Akita where you can eat kiritanpo nabe. If you visit Akita, be sure to try it. It's delicious!
