What is the traditional food "Iburigakko"? Great for snacks and dinner! [Akita Prefecture]

There are many traditional regional dishes, many of which reflect the local food situation. One of the must-try dishes in Akita "Iburi-gakko ," a pickled vegetable that is unique to the region and was born from the food history of Akita Prefecture.

It's fascinating to get a sense of the region and its history through food. Today we'll be introducing Iburigakko, a preserved food that represents Akita Prefecture

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Iburigakko = smoked pickles

"Iburi-gakko" is a type of pickle that is mainly found in the southern part of Akita Prefecture.

It is called "Iburi-gakko," but since it is a pickled vegetable, it is also called "Iburi-zuke." In Akita, pickles are called "gakko," so it means "smoked pickles."

This "Iburi-gakko" is made by smoking root vegetables such as daikon radish behind a fireplace and then pickling them with salt and rice koji. If you look at the picture, you can see that the pickles have a brownish color. It is because they are smoked and pickled that they become this brown

When you put it in your mouth, you can taste the soft smoky flavor, saltiness, and the flavor of vegetables. It is a preserved food that has been made in Akita Prefecture since ancient times to prepare for the harsh winter

Nowadays, it is rarely made at home, but because it was a preserved food to prepare for the harsh winter, each household had its own unique flavor. Some households used a lot of granulated sugar, while others added a lot of salt, and each household adjusted the flavor to suit their own preferences

Also, since Iburigakko is smoked, people have different preferences when it comes to the type of wood they use for smoking. It seems that each household used different wood, such as oak or cherry, to create different flavors

Reference: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries – Our local dish “Iburigakko”

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Is it possible to naturally tour Akita by touring around Iburi-gakko?

Although it is rarely made at home anymore, Iburi-gakko is now produced by various companies in Akita Prefecture

Of course, each company has a different flavor, and there are so many varieties that you could easily travel across Akita Prefecture just trying to find them all, including "Iburi-gakko" made with carrots instead of just radish, and "Iburi-gakko" mixed with chopped kelp

It is served as a snack at izakayas and is loved by people from both inside and outside the prefecture as a companion to sake. In recent years, it has also appeared at drinking parties as a Western-style snack with cheese, and its unique smoky flavor has gained a reputation for pairing well with wine and brandy whiskey

Many izakayas in Akita Prefecture sell "Iburi-gakko." Souvenir shops often carry one or two types of it. However, because there are so many different types of "Iburi-gakko," it's a common travel story within Akita Prefecture to look into the souvenir shop next door and find several completely different types of "Iburi-gakko."

There are so many varieties that it's not uncommon to find different types of Iburi-gakko not only in souvenir shops but also in supermarkets

While touring tourist spots, you might come across a souvenir shop and think, "Oh, they have smoked daikon here too!", or you might go into a supermarket near another tourist spot and think, "Oh, that's smoked daikon, but it's a totally different variety!". Iburi-gakke is an interesting food that will have you on a pilgrimage around Akita Prefecture while chasing after it

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lastly

"Local XX" souvenirs can be found all over Japan. While many of these are character souvenirs, in Akita Prefecture there are so many types of smoked pickles that it can be called "local smoked daikon radish," and you can find different products by going to different supermarkets or souvenir shops

Some Akita residents have their own favorite smoked daikon radish, so if you ask a local, "Which place has the best smoked daikon radish?" they'll likely be able to recommend a product

Akita Prefecture is also known as a sake prefecture, so smoked daikon radish is extremely popular as it pairs well with alcohol

Originally a preserved food with a long history, it has now become a food that represents Akita, so be sure to check it out. One bite and it might become your favorite snack

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