[Miyagi Prefecture] What is the Imoni War explained by a writer from Miyagi [Yamagata Prefecture]

During this season, the Tohoku region becomes lively with imoni parties. Friends gather together on the riverbed and deepen friendships. It is an autumn tradition in the Tohoku region.

However, in Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, the imoni party season is not a harmonious one. A fierce imoni war is held in Miyagi and Yamagata every year!

This time, we will introduce the Imoni War between Miyagi and Yamagata

What is the difference between imoni-kai in Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures?

In late September, you can see a unique culture in Miyagi and Yamagata. Convenience stores sell firewood, and supermarkets rent pots for free.

In autumn, everything begins to move towards the imoni party.

So far, it's the same in Miyagi and Yamagata.
However, these two prefectures are fundamentally different.

That's what makes the food different!

Although it is called Imonikai, the dishes eaten in various parts of Tohoku are different.
In Aomori Prefecture, there is ``Senbei Soup'', in Akita Prefecture `Kiritanpo Nabe'' in Iwate Prefecture there is ``Imo no Kojiru'' , and in each prefecture, local hotpot dishes are served at Imonikai.
It is customary to eat a dish called "Imoni" in both Miyagi and Yamagata

Yamagata's nationally famous imoni

Yamagata's imoni is famous nationwide .
This dish is made with taro, beef, konnyaku, and green onions stewed in a soy sauce-flavored soup.
Depending on the region, mushrooms, carrots, and daikon radish are also added.

As you can see, Yamagata's imoni is characterized by its soy sauce flavor and beef.
Imoni, which is simple and strong, yet full of depth and flavor, continues to attract followers.

As the author, I'm a resident of Miyagi Prefecture, so I tend to say, "It's delicious, but I don't recognize it as imoni! It's sukini!" However, nationally, this is far more famous than Miyagi's imoni.
The reason for this is Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival.

Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival

Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival a festival where Yamagata-style imoni is made using pots with a diameter of 6 meters .
The material is overwhelming.
At the 29th edition in 2017, approximately 30,000 meals were made using ingredients that were hard to believe were cooking: 3 tons of taro, 1.2 tons of beef, 3,500 pieces of konjac, 700 liters of soy sauce, and 50 sho of alcohol. Ta.

The utensils used for cooking are also substandard.
Have you ever thought about cooking food using heavy machinery?

actually made using a backhoe.

Of course, I use them for cooking, so I buy new ones every year.
Furthermore, utmost care is taken in terms of hygiene, such as using butter or margarine as the lubricant for joint parts.

The sight of food being divided into small pots from a backhoe is a sight to behold, so why not go and see it at least once?

Link: Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival Official Website

Imoni in Miyagi is eaten in many regions.

Imoni, eaten in Miyagi Prefecture, is a dish made with taro, pork, carrots, burdock, and mushrooms stewed in a miso-flavored soup.
It is a gorgeous dish made with various ingredients.

In this way, Miyagi's imoni is characterized by its miso flavor and pork.
People from Yamagata Prefecture would say, ``Miyagi's imoni? Oh, that's it, it's not imoni, it's tonjiru.'' However, I insist that this is imoni.

This is because Miyagi is not the only region where miso and pork imoni is eaten.

Miso-flavored imoni eaten all over Tohoku

Miso-flavored pork imoni is also eaten in Fukushima Prefecture.
Unlike Miyagi, Fukushima has mirin in it, so it has a sweeter taste.

Also, although it has a different name, the sweet potato soup eaten in Iwate Prefecture is a miso-flavored pork dish.

The ingredients are roughly the same as those in Miyagi Prefecture, so it's no exaggeration to say that miso + pork is orthodox imoni.

If soy sauce + beef is the nationally famous imoni, then miso + pork is the orthodox dish from the Tohoku region.
As their representative player, Miyagi will once again face the mighty Yamagata this year.

summary

So far, I have written about the Imoni War, but in the end, both are delicious.
As a writer from Miyagi Prefecture, I recommend miso-flavored imoni, but I also really like Yamagata's imoni.

Imoni-kai is a Tohoku culture, so if you come to Miyagi or Yamagata, please give it a try.
You can have a great time and deepen your friendships with your friends!