[Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture] Aizu's Wappameshi is a local dish packed with the deliciousness of Fukushima!

tryworks.oka
2022.01.24
Last updated: 2024.08.29

table of contents

1 What exactly is “Wappameshi”?
2 What is the history of “Wappameshi”?
3 The secret behind the deliciousness of Wappameshi
4 What is Wappa Meshi at Takino in Fukushima?
5 Wild vegetables are also popular at Wappameshi in Fukushima! Why not try it in Aizuwakamatsu?
- 5.1 Takino＜Information＞

There is a local dish from Niigata and Fukushima (Aizuwakamatsu) called "Wappa Meshi." Let me introduce you to what "Wappa Meshi" is. Both Niigata and Fukushima (Aizu) are famous for their rice production. We would like to introduce you to ``Wappa Meshi'', which was born in this region where the food is also delicious.

What exactly is “Wappameshi”?

``Wappameshi'' is sometimes written as ``kamemeshi'' or ``ring-bakomeshi,'' and it is rice that is placed in a round box made from a thin wooden board called ``wappa.'' In the past, it was also used as a lunch box.

Wappa Meshi is made by putting rice in this Wappa, adding toppings on it, and steaming it warm. It is a dish that allows you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of rice from Niigata and Fukushima, which are known for their rice production.

The appeal of ``Wappa Meshi'' is that by steaming it in ``Wappa,'' it has a nice woody aroma and flavor.

What is the history of “Wappameshi”?

The history of ``Wappa Meshi'' dates back to 1955 in Niigata Prefecture at ``Inakaya.'' In addition, in Aizu, Fukushima, a shop called "Takino" was founded in 1970. Nowadays, "Wappameshi" has become a widely known local dish. In the cold Tohoku region, ``wappameshi,'' which is made with lots of rice and toppings and is steamed warm, can be considered a delicacy.

Also, the same Wappameshi may be different in Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture. For example, the difference is that Niigata prefecture uses cedar plank wappa, while Fukushima prefecture uses cypress wood wappa. Niigata Prefecture uses rice cooked in dashi stock, while Fukushima Prefecture uses white rice.

When it comes to ingredients, Niigata Prefecture uses seafood such as salmon and crab, while Fukushima Prefecture also uses ingredients from the mountains such as wild vegetables and mushrooms. Each dish is unique as a regional dish, featuring local ingredients.

The secret behind the deliciousness of Wappameshi

Warm, steamed Wappa rice is very popular and is very delicious, but here we will explain once again why Wappa rice is so delicious.

First of all, the secret to its deliciousness is that it uses rice from delicious rice regions such as Fukushima and Niigata prefectures. In addition, various toppings are placed on top of it in a creative way, making it beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Also, because Wappa is made of wood, it has a humidity control effect, and when steamed, it doesn't become too soft and comes out delicious.

What makes rice delicious when eaten in a Wappa bento box is that it retains its deliciousness for a long time thanks to Wappa's moisturizing effect.

What is Wappa Meshi at Takino in Fukushima?

Of all the delicious wappa rice, I would like to introduce you to ``Takino,'' which is famous as the original ``Rinbako Meshi'' from Fukushima Prefecture. ``Takino'' uses Aizu rice, and is unusual in that they serve wappa rice with a variety of toppings.

Each dish is a delightful ``Rinbako Meshi'' where you can enjoy Fukushima's seafood and mountain delicacies in their own way. ``Salmon ring box'', ``Kettobashi ring box rice'' (Kettobashi is a sweet and spicy boiled horse meat and burdock), ``Zenmai ring box,'' ``Mushroom ring box,'' ``Five seeds ring box,'' ``Salmon parent and child ring box,'' ``Yokubari. There is a wide variety of products such as ring boxes [7 types], crab ring boxes, and salmon roe ring boxes.

If you come here, you will be able to fully enjoy Wappameshi, which is filled with various delicious foods from Fukushima. The ``Yokubariwabako'' is especially attractive because it has salmon roe, salmon, mushrooms, crab, zenmai, bamboo shoots, and eggs, and is packed with seafood and mountain delicacies.

Wild vegetables are also popular at Wappameshi in Fukushima! Why not try it in Aizuwakamatsu?

One of the charms of Fukushima Prefecture's Wappameshi is that it is topped with wild vegetables. It is best to steam it in wappa so that you can enjoy the aroma of the wood and the rich flavor of the wild vegetables. Many people say that the wild vegetable wappa rice was delicious.

Generally speaking, wappa rice is not fancy, but when it is steamed inside the wappa rice, the gorgeousness of the ingredients becomes more appealing. This is a dish that is visually pleasing.

Takino, the original Wappameshi restaurant from Fukushima Prefecture, is located in Aizuwakamatsu and is housed in a quaint, historic building, so why not take your time and enjoy it?