Tohoku gourmet

[Fukushima Prefecture] What is the local dish, Ikajin? It is now famous nationwide! Approaching the charm that continues to be loved

Ikaninjin one of Fukushima's representative local dishes , originating in the northern Nakadori region of Fukushima Prefecture . It is a dish known to all Fukushima residents and has long been a beloved home-cooked dish.

Also, thanks to recent media and product collaborations, Ika-jinjin is now well-known nationwide. What is the secret behind the popularity of Ikinojin, which is loved both inside and outside the prefecture?

In this article, we will not only introduce ika carrots, but also explore how to make and enjoy them. I would be happy if everyone who is interested in ``What are Ika carrots?'' had the opportunity to eat Ika carrots by actually making them or visiting the site.

What is a carrot? Explaining the history and what kind of food it is

How do you know about the dish called ginseng? Ikajinjin is a dish made by cutting squid and carrots into thin strips and marinating them in a soy sauce-based dipping sauce. The squid has soaked up the juices and returned to its plump texture, and the carrots are crisp and crunchy. This is a dish that is visually appealing, with the aroma of mellow soy sauce that contains the soup stock from the ingredients. The fun texture and sweet-salty seasoning go well with rice and alcohol.

How about carrots?

Ikaninjin has been grown throughout Fukushima Prefecture for over 100 years. The origins of the dish are unclear, with various theories including that it is related to the Hokkaido local dish "Matsumaezuke" and that it was developed to recreate the texture of fresh squid in inland areas that are not bordered by the sea.

For people in Fukushima Prefecture, squid and carrots a New Year's dish . As the end of the year approaches, large quantities of squid and carrots are lined up on the shelves of supermarkets across the prefecture. Eating squid and carrots will no doubt bring back memories of New Year's celebrations in the lives of many people as children.

However, since carrots are easy to make in advance, many households keep them on hand and display them at the table or as a side dish with alcohol. You may also find it as a side dish at local bars and restaurants.

As an aside, squid and carrots is sometimes called carrot squid by some. They are the same dish, and the ratio of squid to carrots is the same.

How to make carrots? Learn recipes and enjoy them at home

Here, we will introduce a typical way to make carrots.

dried squid

material

  • 1 piece of dried squid
  • 3-4 carrots
  • soy sauce 100cc
  • 50cc of sake
  • Mirin 50cc

How to make

  1. Cut the dried squid body and carrot into long, easy-to-eat pieces. (Use scissors for squirrel)
  2. Bring the seasonings to a boil in a small pot and leave to cool.
  3. Place the carrots and dried mustard in a Tupperware container, marinate with the seasonings from step 2, and leave in the refrigerator for about 1 to 3 days. (It's good to stir occasionally)
  4. It's done when the squid becomes soft.

Ika ginseng is a local dish that has been passed down in every household in Fukushima Prefecture. Therefore, the taste varies from household to household depending on the degree of pickling and amount of seasonings used. In the past, when relationships between relatives and neighbors were popular, complimenting each other on the taste of each family's carrots may have been a part of the fun.

You can adjust the amount of seasonings and marinating time depending on the taste of the person eating it. Please make your own delicious squid carrots.

The most common way to eat carrots is to eat them as is, but there are also arranged dishes.

  • fried oysters
  • cooked rice

You can also make delicious arrangements for carrots that you want to make in excess.

Can Ikakinojin be enjoyed at restaurants or online?

Ika ginseng is a home-cooked dish in Fukushima, but there are some restaurants that serve it as a representative flavor of the region. It is especially common to see it at pubs and local restaurants along Nakadori (the area located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture when it is divided vertically into three parts). The area is easily accessible from Shinkansen stations and the airport, so be sure to check it out when visiting Fukushima Prefecture.

Ika carrots are also sold in packs through mail order. It's also a good idea to order some and enjoy the feeling of traveling.

Ika carrots are spreading all over the country! Unexpected collaboration products are also born

Ikaninjin became widely known to the public after being featured in the media. In recent years, it also gained popularity after being featured on "Himitsu no Kenmin Show."

Calbee's potato chips, which are made from squid and carrot flavor, also made the news. This product, which was the brainchild of Fukushima-born president Shuji Ito, has been well-received and has been re-released several times, which is unusual for a limited edition product.

summary

In this article, we have introduced the charm of carrots. Ika ginseng, which continues to be widely loved in Fukushima prefecture, is a dish with a deep flavor that you can enjoy. Why not give it a try as a companion to rice or alcohol?

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