Tohoku gourmet

[Fukushima Prefecture] We've picked out some of the specialty products that can be used as pot ingredients! Make your own "Fukushima Nabe"!

Fukushima Prefecture has both the sea and the mountains. It has everything: rough sea breezes, tranquil forests, heavy snowfall, and the gentle murmuring of rivers. The rich food culture that the people developed to overcome the harsh natural environment has produced specialty products

Enjoy a hot pot with a Fukushima feel by yourself, with your family, or with friends

[Long green onion] Koriyama City "Akutsu curved green onion"

Akutsu curved onion

Akutsu Curved Onions have been grown in the Akutsu area of ​​Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture since the Meiji era . The white part of the onion is large and curved, and it is characterized by its sweet taste and soft texture.

Why are onions curved? This is not due to the variety, but because they are intentionally bent during the cultivation process. In order to produce onions with a lot of white part, the onions are laid down during cultivation to ensure that the part that grows underground is secured. To lay the onions down, they are pulled out of the soil once during cultivation and replanted at a 45-degree angle. This process is called " yatoi ." Yatoi is carried out right in the middle of summer, and bent onion farmers work hard, drenched in sweat. The painstakingly grown bent onions are harvested and shipped from November to February, just in time for delicious hotpot dishes. Why not try adding a generous amount to a hot pot and enjoying them?

[Thick Fried Tofu] "Triangle Fried Tofu" from Miharu Town, Tamura District

Miharu triangular fried tofu

Triangular age is a famous specialty of Miharu Town in Tamura County. At first glance, you might think it's "thick fried tofu," but it's actually a very thick piece of "deep-fried tofu." One theory behind the triangular shape is that the former Miharu domain headquarters, Miharu Castle, was also known as Maizuru Castle, and so it resembles the shape of a crane taking off. Miharu Town, which was once a castle town, was once home to many temples, and was a thriving producer of tofu and deep-fried tofu, which are used in vegetarian cuisine

Sankakuage is a type of deep-fried tofu that gets crispy on the outside when grilled, so the most popular way to eat it locally is to grill it until fragrant and top it with miso. On the other hand, if you boil it, it will absorb a lot of broth and become juicy. Because it is so thick, you can also sandwich ingredients between the pieces

Miharu Sankakuage is sold by several manufacturers, and one of them Ohataya , not only sells tofu and tofu products but also operates a cafe where you can enjoy creative dishes such as tofu cutlets, so we also recommend this store.

Ohataya <Information>

  • Name: TO-FU Cafe Ohataya
  • Address: 253 Ishihata, Nishikata, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone: 0247-62-3309
  • URL: http://www.oohataya.com/

Google Map

[Konjac] Yamatsuri Town

Konjac

Yamatsuri Town, Higashishirakawa District, in southern Fukushima Prefecture, was once known as the "Konjac Village." There were many fields dedicated to cultivating konjac yams, and homemade konjac was a common sight on the dinner tables of every household. However, as improved varieties with lower cultivation costs began to appear on the market, the native konjac yams cultivated in Yamatsuri Town were gradually pushed out, and konjac yams farmers disappeared

Therefore, Yamatsuri town is currently focusing on expanding the brand of Yamatsuri konjac in order to pass on the region's disappearing food culture to the next generation.Konjac made from the native konjac yam is characterized by its firm elasticity and the strong flavor of the konjac yam

Oshimaya Konnyaku Shop, which manufactures and sells konjac in Shirakawa City, produces and sells konjac made exclusively from Yamatsuri Town's native "Watama" variety. Thinly slice it and add it to hot pot dishes for a healthy and satisfying experience. Of course, it's also great in oden!

Oshimaya Konnyaku Store <Information>

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[Anglerfish] Iwaki City

Monkfish

When it comes to winter delicacies in the port town of Iwaki, monkfish hotpot is famous. Monkfish meat has a rich umami flavor and is rich in collagen. Monkfish caught in the waters of Tokiwa are known as " Tokiwamono " and have long been highly acclaimed in the market. In winter, when they are in season, they are said to be extremely fatty. Monkfish are said to be "a fish where nothing is wasted except for the teeth." They are enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including sashimi, deep-fried, and with vinegar. The liver, in particular, is packed with umami and is said to be the key to the flavor of monkfish hotpot.

At first glance, monkfish may seem difficult to cook, but there are sets available that allow you to easily enjoy monkfish hotpot at home. These Onozaki Co., Ltd. , a long-established fish store in Iwaki City.

Onozaki Co., Ltd. <Information>

  • Name: Onozaki Co., Ltd
  • Address: 38 Hirakamatacho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
  • URL: https://onozaki.net/

Google Map

[Chicken] Aizu region "Aizu Jidori"

The Aizu region in western Fukushima Prefecture is a snowy region with many areas experiencing heavy snowfall. It was over 500 years ago that local chickens began to be raised in the Aizu region. They were originally kept as ornamental animals, and their long black tail feathers were even used in the masks of the local performing art, " Aizu Higan Lion ." The original local chickens were small in size, and with fewer people raising them, they were once on the brink of extinction. The Fukushima Prefectural Poultry Experimental Station then worked on improving the breed, resulting in larger chickens and improved egg-laying capabilities, resulting in the Aizu Jidori we know today.

Aizu Jidori chicken is characterized by its high amount of lean meat and its rich, full-bodied flavor. Aizu Jidori chickens are raised in an environment where they can move around freely, and for two to three times longer than regular broiler breeds. This results in firm meat with concentrated flavor. Hot pot dishes made with Aizu Jidori chicken are exquisite, as the rich flavor of the meat is infused into the meat. Be sure to try the delicious flavor of the jidori chicken that Aizu has preserved

Introducing Fukushima Prefecture's specialty foods that can be enjoyed in hot pot

This time we introduced Fukushima Prefecture's specialty products that can be enjoyed as ingredients in hot pot dishes

Each of the ingredients, which are packed with the natural umami of Fukushima, is unique. Hotpot dishes can be enjoyed casually by yourself, with your family, or with friends, so please give them a try

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