[Towada City, Aomori Prefecture] What is Towada Barayaki? Introducing the origin store and recipe

Towada Barayaki is beef belly seasoned with sweet and spicy sauce and onions grilled on a griddle . This dish, which is loved mainly in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, is an easy dish made with just onions and beef ribs. In this article, we will introduce the charm of Towada Barayaki, its origin, and an easy recipe to make! It's easy to make and delicious, so please give it a try.

What is Towada Barayaki? Its characteristics and history

Towada Barayaki is a simple dish of beef belly seasoned with sweet and spicy sauce and onions grilled on an iron plate. The sweetness of slowly stir-fried onions and the flavor of juicy beef belly intertwine for a taste you'll never forget. Due to its sweet flavor, it is also very popular with children! We recommend eating it as a side dish as it is, or putting it on top of rice to make a bowl, or pairing it with alcohol. In the local Towada area, it is also a popular menu item at home.

By the way, the definition of `` barayaki '' is not set, and there are no detailed regulations regarding the meat used or seasoning. However, it generally refers to beef or pork belly stir-fried with onions for a sweet and spicy taste.

Background of the birth of Barayaki

Towada barayaki was born in the Showa era. It is said to have originated in a small restaurant in Misawa City shortly after the war. At the time, this dish, which made use of relatively inexpensive beef belly and onions, became popular and became a staple in home cooking.

Barayaki spread from Misawa City to Towada City and other southern regions, and became a local gourmet dish. It was promoted as a way to revitalize the town of Towada, and the Towada Barayaki Seminar was launched in 2008. B-1 Grand Prix held in 2014 which led to the spread of Towada Barayaki nationwide

Where is the birthplace of Towada Barayaki?

The original shop "Aka Noren"

Aka Noren the birthplace of Towada Barayaki , is a long-established shop that has been loved for a long time in the local Misawa City. In addition to barayaki, they also have ramen, curry, and set meals, making it a restaurant that can be used for everyday use. However, since it is the birthplace of barayaki, most people order barayaki. The barayaki is seasoned with a secret sauce and has a rich flavor and aroma. It is visited not only by locals but also by many tourists as it is the birthplace of Towada Barayaki.

The iron plate used to grill the barayaki is quite old, having been used for over half a century. Since you are cooking it yourself, you can adjust the degree of doneness, but be sure to grill the onions thoroughly to bring out the sweetness. Also, by removing the liquid, the flavor becomes richer.

In Towada City, there are many restaurants that serve barayaki.

There are many shops in Towada City that serve barayaki. Each restaurant has its own unique characteristics, such as the barayaki served with a special sauce at a set restaurant, and the fragrant barayaki grilled over charcoal at an izakaya. In addition to beef and pork, they also offer grilled pork belly using locally produced horse meat, and come in a variety of flavors. When you visit Towada City, be sure to find your favorite shop!

Enjoy at home! Easy recipe for Towada Barayaki

Basic Towada Barayaki Recipe

Introducing basic recipes that you can easily make at home.

Ingredients (for 2-3 people)

• Beef belly (thinly sliced) 300g
• 2 onions (the more, the sweeter)
• Sauce
  /soy sauce...2 tablespoons
  , mirin...2 tablespoons
  , sugar...1 tablespoon
  , pepper...a little bit
  , ginger...a little bit

How to make

1. Thinly slice the onion and cut the beef belly into bite-sized pieces.
2. Make the sauce first before frying.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan or hot plate and fry the onions.
4. When the onions are soft, add the beef ribs and stir-fry until cooked through.
5. Add the sauce and stir-fry until the liquid evaporates and it's done.

There are no special precautions when making it. The sweetness comes from the onions, so adjust the amount of sugar and mirin to your liking. If you don't want to cut the beef belly, you can just fry it as is. It will become fine as it is stir-fried, but please be careful when eating it with small children.

Arrangement recipe ① Rose-grilled rice bowl

By placing the Towada Barayaki on top of rice, you can easily create an exquisite bowl of rice. The beef and onion sauce soaks into the rice, making it a dish that you won't be able to stop eating with your chopsticks. At first glance, it looks like gyudon, but the sweetness and flavor are completely different from gyudon that is made by boiling. The flavor of the beef fat remains, so no matter how much rice you have, it won't be enough. Finish by topping with hot spring eggs and green onions for an even more luxurious bowl. Recommended for lunch or dinner on busy days.

Arrangement recipe ② Fried udon

Barayaki, which has a sweet and spicy sauce, is also delicious when stir-fried with udon! The flavor is a little different from sukiyaki, and it's addictive. It saves you the trouble of preparing rice, and it's very easy to make as you just stir-fry it all together. If you get tired of the taste, try adding garlic or other spices, or try eating it sukiyaki-style with raw eggs.

summary

Towada barayaki is a beloved soul food in Aomori. Its charm lies in its simple yet addictive sweet and salty seasoning, and the good compatibility between the beef belly and onions. You can try it at the restaurant where it originated, or you can easily make it at home. Please come and enjoy Aomori's B-class gourmet food!