[Fukushima Prefecture] Pick out local specialties that can be used as "hot pot ingredients"! Make your own original "Fukushima hot pot"!

has both the sea and the mountains. It has everything: the fierce sea breeze, the silent forests, the heavy snow that covers everything, and the gentle sound of flowing riversFukushima Prefecturea rich food culture that has given rise to numerous localspecialtieshave created

So this time, we've picked out some specialty products from Fukushima Prefecture that can also be used as ingredients for hot pot dishes! Whether you're alone, with family, or with friends,captures the essence of Fukushimaplease enjoy a hot pot that

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

that has been cultivated in the Akutsu district of Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, since the Meiji eraAkutsu Magari Negi. The white part of the onion is large and curved, and it is characterized by its sweet taste and soft texture.

Why are the leeks curved? This isn't due to the variety, but because they are intentionally curved during cultivation. To produce leeks with a large white portion, the leeks are laid down during cultivation to ensure that the portion growing underground is preserved. To lay the leeks down, they are pulled out of the soil once during cultivation and replanted at a 45-degree angle. This process is called "yatoi." Yatoi takes place in the middle of summer, and the farmers who cultivate curved leeks work up a sweat. These carefully cultivated curved leeks are harvested and shipped from November to February. This is the perfect time for hot pot dishes. Why not try adding plenty of them to a piping hot pot and enjoying them?

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

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 triangular fried tofu is sold by several manufacturers, but one of them, "Ohata-ya," not only sells tofu and tofu products, but also operates a cafe where you can enjoy creative dishes such as tofu cutlets, so we recommend checking them out as well.

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

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[Konjac] Yamatsuri Town

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>

• Name: Oshimaya Konnyaku Store
• Address: 6 Tenjincho, Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone: 0248-23-2704
• URL:https://ooshimaya.com/index.php

Google Map

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[Anglerfish] Iwaki City

In the port town of Iwaki, monkfish hot pot is a famous winter delicacy. Monkfish meat has a rich umami flavor and is rich in collagen. Monkfish caught in the Joban Sea, in particular, are called "Joban-mono" and have long been highly regarded in the market. In winter, when it is in season, the fat content is said to be exceptional. Monkfish is said to be a fish where "nothing goes to waste except the teeth." It is enjoyed in various dishes such as sashimi, deep-fried, and with vinegar. In particular, the liver is said to be packed with umami and is the key to the flavor of monkfish hot pot.

At first glance, anglerfish may seem difficult to cook, but there are sets available that allow you to easily enjoy anglerfish hot pot at home.Onozaki Co., a long-established fish shop in Iwaki City.

Onozaki Co., Ltd. <Information>

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

Google Map

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[Chicken] Aizu region "Aizu Jidori"

The Aizu region in western Fukushima Prefecture is a snow-covered area with many heavy snowfall zones. It was in this Aizu region that the raising of local chickens began more than 500 years ago. Initially, they were apparently raised for ornamental purposes, and their long, black tail feathers were used in the masks of the local folk performance "Aizu Higan Shishi." The original breed of chicken was small, and as the number of breeders decreased, it once faced the brink of extinction. Later, the Fukushima Prefectural Poultry Experiment Station worked on breed improvement, resulting in the current Aizu Jidori chicken, which is larger and has improved egg-laying capacity.

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

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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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