Recipe

Sendai specialty "Seri Nabe"

Warm up with Miyagi Prefecture's winter specialty, "Seri Nabe"!

  • Chimon
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One of the most famous winter dishes representing various parts of Miyagi Prefecture, including Natori and Sendai, is"seri nabe" (Japanese parsley hot pot).

While it may not be as nationally known as beef tongue, sasakama (fish cake), or zunda mochi (sweet edamame paste rice cake), this hot pot dish is highly acclaimed in Miyagi Prefecture.It won the Sendai Hot Pot Grand Prix for two consecutive years, in 2014 and 2015.

Furthermore,an Excellence Award at the Nippon All-Japan Hot Pot Grand Prix in 2016andsecond place with the "Nabe no Tsubone" title at the 2016 Tendo Winter Battle Heisei Hot Pot Competitionit has gradually gained nationwide recognition,

In this article, we will introduce the appeal of Miyagi's parsley hotpot. Why not try warming yourself up with some parsley hotpot this winter?

Why parsley hotpot in Miyagi?

First of all, why is parsley hotpot a local specialty?

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Auction

Speaking of parsley, it is a perennial plant of the Umbelliferae family and is the first wild plant to appear in the "Seven Herbs of Spring" and "Seven Herbs Rice Porridge." Is there any reason why parsley, which is known nationwide, is also a local specialty?

In fact, Natori City in Miyagi Prefecture is one of the top parsley harvesters in Japan, with its roots dating back to the 1620s

According to a document written in 1776 by Hikoku, the headman of Kami-Yoda,"wild water dropwort was being cultivated during the Genna era (1620s)," and it is said that the cultivation of water dropwort became widespread during the An'ei era (1770s).

In other words, parsley is a traditional food ingredient with a history of 400 years

In Miyagi Prefecture, the main producer of Japanese parsley is Natori City, and the parsley produced there"Sendai parsley."is called

The appeal of parsley hotpot

Watercress hotpot
Watercress hotpot

The best thing about seri hot pot is definitelythe roots! In Miyagi's seri hot pot, the roots are eaten whole.

You might be wondering about the taste...it's amazing! The more you chew it, the more flavor comes out!

While parsley leaves have a distinctive bitter taste, the roots are surprisingly less bitter and have a strong fragrance. The crunchiness is just as strong as the leaves and stems

Parsley roots for use in hot pot
Parsley roots for use in hot pot

Due to the nature of the roots, they will have soil on them when you purchase them, so you will need to wash them off carefully. The black color of the roots is difficult to remove, but once you have washed away the soil, the slight black color will not affect the taste

Of course, the leaves and stems each have their own unique charms, so Sendai parsley hotpot is a hotpot dish that lets you enjoy three different flavors! It's no wonder it has swept all the Grand Prix awards!

By the way, 80% of Sendai parsley, which is an ingredient in parsley hotpot, is produced in Natori City. The roots are more delicious than regular parsley, making it a brand vegetable that is perfect for parsley hotpot

Tips for making parsley hotpot

From here, I will introduce some tips for making parsley hotpot

  1. Japanese parsley hot pot is typically made with a soy sauce-based broth. – Using white dashi makes it easy to enjoy a delicious Japanese parsley hot pot!
  2. The ingredients are the same as for a regular hot pot! Duck meat makes it even better! – The ingredients for the hot pot can be the same as for a typical hot pot. You can use chicken when making it at home, but using duck meat will make it even more delicious.
  3. Enjoy the crisp texture of Japanese parsley when you cook it shabu-shabu style! – While boiling is also a good way to eat Japanese parsley, cooking it shabu-shabu style enhances its crispness and makes it even more appealing. However, be careful as the roots need to be boiled for at least 20-30 seconds.
  4. The basic method for washing the soil around the roots is to rub them with your fingers. A toothbrush is even better! – The basic way to wash the roots is to rub them with your fingers. If you have an old toothbrush, you can also use that to wash them all at once. However, be careful as even after washing with a toothbrush, small stones may be stuck between the roots and the stem.

Japanese parsley hotpot is easy to make, but if you keep these tips in mind, it will taste even better. Try to keep these tips in mind when making it at home!

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