Showing posts with label ekiben station lunchbox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ekiben station lunchbox. Show all posts

5/11/2008

Kanagawa

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Kanagawa Prefecture



Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県, Kanagawa-ken) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Honshū, Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.
In medieval Japan, Kanagawa was part of the provinces of Sagami and Musashi.

There are some archaeological sites of Jōmon period (around 400 BC). About 3000 years ago, Mount Hakone made volcanic explosion and Lake Ashi on the western area of this prefecture.

It's estimated, Yamato Dynasty ruled this area from 5th century. In the ancient era, plains and damps were widely spread with few inhabitants.

Kamakura in central Sagami was the capital of Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

During the Edo period, the western part of Sagami Province was governed by the daimyo of Odawara Castle, while the eastern part was directly governed by the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo (Tokyo).

Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan (larger than Chinatowns in both Kobe and Nagasaki) and it is one of the largest in the world.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Misaki is a fishing port where maguro tuna fish is landed.

fine local sake rice wines using highquality water and rice from Fuji and Tanzawa regions

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Dishes from Kanagawa prefecture
神奈川 郷土料理




akamoku 鎌倉の新名産アカモク akamoku seaweed
from the sea off Kamakura
nagamo ナガモ "long seaweed"
It grows in shallow sea water and grows to seven meters long. It is a kind of "weed" in the waters off Kamakura, but in recent years young fishermen and cooks have promoted it to a new speciality, eaten in miso soup, in jelly-form and many others. It is even served in sophisticated dishes at the resort hotels.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !




Ashigara Tea
From Tanzawa and Hakone.


butaniku 豚肉 pork dishes
Koza pork and Yamayuri pork
pork cutlet,pork rice bowl and pork with beanpaste
butaman in chinatown ブタまん
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
CLICK for original LINK
パンダまん Butaman and Pandaman, Manju with meat
Panda Man
. . . CLICK here for Photos with more PANDA FOOD !
Panda Pan ぱんだパン
Panda Soomen パンダそうめん from Ueno Zoo, Tokyo
Panda Bento パンダ弁当 Lunchboxes
Panda パンダラーメン Ramen Noodle soup
Panda Kamaboko パンダかまぼこ




Daibutsu manjuu 大仏まんじゅう / 大仏饅頭
Sweets from the Big Buddha, Kamakura
prepared with the dough of castella cakes
Hachimangu kawara senbei 鶴岡八幡宮 瓦せんべい
square senbei crackers
CLICK for more



dengaku unagi 田楽うなぎ eel with miso paste
横濱名物
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



Kamakura hato saburee ハトサブレー sable bisquits in the shape of doves
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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kenchinjiru, kenchin-jiru けんちん汁 vegetable soup with tofu
with daikon radish, carrots, satoimo, tofu and more.
First prepared by priest Rankei Dooryuu 蘭渓道隆 in the temple Kenchooji 建長寺 Kencho-Ji in Kamakura, at that time called Kenchooji-jiru, kenchojijiru 建長汁, hence the naming.
From there is spread (together with the Zen teachings) to other parts of Japan. Now also a speciality in Yamanashi.
The dashi soup is only made from boiling vegetables first fried in a bit of sesame oil. Later Tofu is torn in small pieces by hand and put into the broth.
This goes back to Rankei, who once in the kitchen saw a monk who had not taken care and his tofu had fallen on the hard kitchen floor and scattered. The monk wanted to throw it away, but Rankei said: "This would be a waste of food", picked up the pieces, washed them and put them in the broth. Now it has become part of the preparing process in the temple
Some say it is part of the Chinese temple cuisine, fucha ryoori 普茶料理 and should be written with the characters 巻繊汁 (けんちんじる).
Others prepare it with pork meat for the dashi soup.
Some use soy sauce, others miso for the final flavor.


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Misaki Tuna "Maguro" from Misaki Town at the end of Miura peninsula
"kabuto yaki"(whole grilled tuna head)


Odawara "Kamaboko" Boild Fish Paste
Kamaboko (蒲鉾, かまぼこ) Fish paste, fish cake, ground fish on boards


Oyama Tofu Cuisine


Ramen Museum at Shin-Yokohama.


sanmaamen サンマーメン Ramen soup with vegetables
Yokohama
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



shirasu しらす, shirasu don しらす丼 White-bait Rice Bowl
Fresh white-bait (young sardines) are used to make this rice bowl dish, which you can try in Enoshima and other parts of the Shonan region.
shirasu no kama-age しらすの釜揚げ boiled shirasu
... see . Shirasu from Hamamatsu, Hiratsuka and Kamakura

shirasu biiru はしらすビール beer with shirasu fish
from Enoshima




shuumai ekiben シュウマイ駅弁 lunchbox at the station




Tanzawa Soba
renowned for their firm texture


toroman トロまん / とろまん / トロ饅
Chinese bun with toro maguro fish meat
from Misaki 三崎まぐろ
ootoro and toro are the fat parts of a maguro.
CLICK for more photos
The fishing port of Misaki is appealing to tourists with this new invention.
CLICK here for PHOTOS !



uiroo 外郎 / ういろう kind of jelly sweet


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way



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HAIKU


CLICK for more photos of the PIG MAN

中華街 ブタまん一つ 三百円
chuukagai butaman hitostu sanbyakuen

Chinatown -
one Pig Meatball
threehundred yen


Takahashi Kun 高橋くん
From a Children's page


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Related words



Pocky Panda



Chuka Ryori, chuuka ryoori 中華料理 Chinese Food
Chinatown 中華街 in Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki


***** WASHOKU : Regional Japanese Dishes

***** . Folk Toys from Kanagawa - Yokohama - Kamakura .

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5/09/2008

Iwate Prefecture

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Iwate prefecture 岩手

The Nanbu clan (南部氏, Nanbu-shi, Nambu clan)
was a Japanese samurai clan originating in northern Japan, specifically Mutsu Province (the northeast coast of Honshū). The Nanbu claimed descent from the Minamoto clan, and its members first enter the historical record as residents of Kai Province during the Kamakura period. The clan later moved to Mutsu.
In the Sengoku period, the clan frequently clashed with its neighbors, including the Tsugaru clan, one of its branches which declared independence. The Nanbu clan was on the winning side of the Battle of Sekigahara, and entered the Edo period as the lordly (daimyo) family of the Morioka Domain. Over the course of the Edo period, several branch families were established, each of which received its own fief.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Tono (Toono) 遠野 is an area where old legends abound.
. Tōno monogatari 遠野物語 Legends of Tono .


In the plain arount Tono most of the hopp of Japan is grown and harvested before September, when the taifun season starts. It has a good bitterness for making beer.
岩手県遠野産ホップ
CLICK here for PHOTOS !
Hopfen Anbau in Tono, Iwate. Bier.


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. Japan after the BIG earthquake -  
March 11, 2011




source : tohoku-umaimon
Grandaruma

うまいもん市場 Local Market


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Capital of Noodles, Morioka 盛岡

The taste and the type of noodles vary in each place or city but the residents who consume the most amount of noodles is Morioka City. Ramen noodle is very popular but Morioka has the famoust "Wanko Soba" made from buckwheat. "Morioka Remen" is based on the cold noodles that orinate in Korean Peninsula. Jajamen noodles has the roots in China. The Moriokans (how we call the local people in Morioka) are keen to find the best tasting noodles of any kind. All the type of noodles are scattered in the city and each restaurant takes pride with their own recipe and serve them in affordable pricings.
three major kinds (Morioka Remen, Wanko soba and Jajamen)
source :  www.kanko-otakara.jp


Nanbutestu 南部鉄 iron teapots and other items
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


hatto ばっと is a local word for noodles.


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azukibatto, azuki hatto 小豆ばっと (あずきばっと) udon noodles in shiruko sweet bean soup
The noodles can be made from buckwheat or wheat flour. Hatto are a kind of flat noodles.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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Beef from Iwate ( Maesawa Beef, etc. )

The most famous beef in Iwate is Maesawa Beef produced in the Maesawa area of Oshu City. It is said that the Matsusaka Beef in the West and the Maesawa Beef in the East are the best beef brands in Japan. The exquisitely marbled meat is so soft that it melts in your mouth. To ensure its quality, Maesawa Beef is only available at stores or restaurants which are designated as official distributors. The Maesawa Beef Festival, held on the first Sunday of June, is a great time to enjoy this high-end delicacy at a bargain price; over 30,000 visitors from in and out of Iwate flock to this event. To get beef at the festival, buy a beef-exchange ticket in advance.
Another great Iwate Beef is Iwate Short-Horn Beef, which is lean and healthy.
The cattle are raised on highland pastures, and in summer, many tourists enjoy the panorama of the relaxed cows, the lush green grass, and the blue sky. In Iwate, there area many restaurants where you can enjoy great Iwate Beef such as these, in various dishes such as steak, sukiyaki, and shabu-shabu.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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beer from Tono 遠野市 hopp
made by Kirin in October 2014

キリンビールは2014年10月28日、ホップの産地として有名な岩手県遠野市で夏に収穫したばかりのホップをぜいたくに使用した「一番搾り とれたてホップ生ビール」


source : www.kirin.co.jp/company

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ebimochi えびもち 海老餅  shrimp mochi rice cakes
Prepared for festivals and celebrations.
But also on normal evenings.
Shrimp (numa ebi) from the many sweetwater ponds are collected, often in autumn and roasted as they are, then falvored with rice wine and salt and soy sauce. Freshly pounded mochi are torn by hand and mixed with these shrimp. The red and white color combination is auspicious.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Mochi Dishes ( cooked sticky rice )
( Ichinoseki City, Hiraizumi Town, Shiwa Town, etc. )
Mochi, or “rice cake,” is made of steamed and pounded rice. It is a New Year delicacy, served in a traditional soup called zoni, or wrapped in nori seaweed with soy sauce. Popular sweet mochi are kinako mochi and azuki mochi, covered with sweetened soybean flour and red bean paste, respectively. Other variations contain ingredients such as crushed walnuts, sesame, and natto ( fermented soy bean ) .
Mochi is extremely sticky and stretchy, so be careful not to choke on it.



There is a unique “mochi culture” in southern Iwate, where mochi is eaten at various special events. There are even “mochi songs” which are sung while pounding mochi. There are over 300 variations, such as zunda mochi with green soybean paste, ebi mochi with shrimp, and fusube mochi with chili peppers. In the Ichinoseki area, there was a special full-course mochi menu called Mochi Honzen, served at weddings and funerals. Today, mochi shops and restaurants in Ichinoseki and Hiraizumi have joined to form “Ichinoseki-Hiraizumi Mochi Road” to promote the mochi culture, offering traditional menus as well as new recipes.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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enohana gohan えのはなごはん mushroom soup
enohana, bakuroo ばくろう/ 香茸 is a musroom of the area.
It gets a good smell after drying. After watering again the mushroom is slightly fired together with carrots and abura-age tofu, some soy sauce added before placint it on the rice.


ganzuki がんづき (雁月) "goose in the full moon" dumplings
ganzuki bread.
Sometimes made sweet with black sugar.
The name of this steamed bread, ganzuki, means "goose moon," and apparently was inspired by the sight of a flock of geese flying in the night sky. This is a very popular snack to serve with green tea in Iwate prefecture.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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“Harako” is Iwate's dialect for salmon roe.

harako soba はらこそば buckwheat noodles
The roe with eggs from the hanamagari salmon is disentangled and put on hot buckwheat soup. Eaten with leek and momiji oroshi radish with carrots.


harakomeshi はらこ飯
Harakomeshi, or salmon roe on white rice, is a simple yet delicious dish; when you take a bite, the soy-sauce flavored roe pops and its mild flavor spreads in your mouth. Before the days of refrigerators and freezers, salmon roe was soaked in soy sauce and sake for the purpose of preservation. But with today's refrigeration technology, restaurants can focus on the taste; if the roe is too salty, it does not go well with warm white rice, so each restaurant seeks a perfect balance of the roe and the rice, and serves what they find is best.

When salmon sashimi is added, it is called Sake Oyako-don ( Salmon Parent and Child Rice Bowl ) or Sake Ikura-don ( Salmon and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl ) . In Iwate, you can also find Harako Soba, in which salmon roe is placed on soba noodles instead of white rice.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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Hatto-nabe from Nambu
This is a relatively new noodle dish which uses many of Iwate's specialties.
“Hatto” refers to noodles made of flour. It is a udon noodle dish with plenty of other wholesome ingredients such as cod, soft roe of cod, scallops, shrimp, oysters, mushrooms, and vegetables of the season. The soup is seafood-based with a touch of soy sauce. The nabe used is a Nanbu Cast Iron pot.
Most restaurants serve Nanbu Hatto-nabe in fall and winter, for about 3,500 yen. In most cases you need a reservation, but some restaurants serve the dish throughout the year without a reservation.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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hittsumi ひっつみ vegetable soup with handcut noodles
with chicken meat, carrots, goboo, shiitake and leek. The dough is pleated by hand, and cropped to bitesize pieces, which gives the sound hittsu hittsu ... hence the name.
hittsumijiru ひっつみ汁 hittsumi shiru
Keeps the body warm on long winter nights.
From Hachinohe town 八戸.
Hachinohe Ekiben 八戸 駅長弁当 serves this too in a special container.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Hittsumi is one of the most representative local dishes of Iwate. It was designated in 2007 as one of the 100 Local Dishes of Japan. Dough made of flour and water is flattened and pulled off into small pieces, which are cooked in soy sauce broth with chicken, carrot, mushrooms, green onion, burdock root, etc. In most areas, the soup is chicken-based, though other ingredients such as dried sardines and canned mackerels are also used in some areas. It is usually served in winter. If you want to make hittsumi from scratch, a special hittsumi flour made by a local company is available; you can also buy fresh or dry pre-made hittsumi.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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ichigoni, ichigo-ni いちご煮 seafood soup with uni and abalone
Originally prepared by the fishermen of Northern Japan directly on the beaches. When uni is placed in boiling water, it takes on a round form like a wild strawberry, hence the name "strawberry stew".

Ichigoni is a traditional dish in the northern coastal area of Iwate.
It is a simple soup dish with sea urchin and sliced abalone, flavored with salt and soy sauce. The name “Ichigoni” means “Boiled Strawberries.” Of course there are no strawberries in the soup; it is named thus because the sea urchin floating in the soup is said to resemble wild strawberries in the morning dew. Today, Ichigoni is available in cans for easy cooking even if it is a bit expensive. You can simply warm it in a pan, or cook rice with it. Try adding a bit of mitsuba ( honeywort ) before eating to make it even more delicious.

- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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imonoko jiru いものこ汁 Taro soup
often prepared at outdoor camps in autumn, sometimes in large pots.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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Iso Ramen ( seafood noodles )
Iso Ramen is a popular noodle dish in the coastal areas of Iwate.
The soup is made of seafood broth and salt or soy sauce; there are many fresh toppings from the Sanriku Coast such as various seaweeds, crab, shrimp, scallops, mussels, squid, etc. Each restaurant serves different toppings, and prices vary as well.
Whether you choose a simple version or a more sumptuous one, you can enjoy the taste of the Sanriku Coast to its fullest with Iso Ramen.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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jajamen, jaja men じゃじゃ麺 (じゃじゃめん)
With toppings of sliced cucumbers, green onions or fried soybean paste, which are placed on the noodles, stirred and eaten. There is no soup for this noodle dish.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Morioka Jajamen Noodles
is one of one of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka,” along with Wanko Soba and Reimen. Jajamen was developed from a Chinese noodle dish called “jia jiang mein.” The noodles are similar to udon, but are served with special meat-miso sauce, cucumber, and green onion. You can also add grated ginger, garlic, vinegar, and/or hot pepper oil. Mix all the ingredients well. After finishing the noodles, you can also try Chi-tan-tan, or soup with the meat-miso sauce, the hot water in which the noodles were boiled, and beaten egg. There are many Jajamen restaurants in Morioka; in particular, the oldest Jajamen restaurant in the city usually has a line of people waiting outside. Some restaurants will also ship their Jajamen noodles and miso upon request.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info/app

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Jingisukan ( Tono City, Hachimantai City, and Shizukuishi Town )
Jingisukan or Genghis Khan, named after the Mongolian ruler, is a popular barbecue dish, especially in Tono, Hachimantai, and Shizukuishi, made with mutton or lamb grilled on a dome-shaped griddle. Despite its name, it is a Japanese dish not a Mongolian dish; named so since Japanese people commonly associated sheep with Mongolia.
In Tono, a unique cooking gadget is used: a jingisukan bucket. It is an ordinary tin bucket with vent holes on its side; the fuel is placed inside, and the griddle is placed over it. In Tono, jingisukan buckets are sold at local hardware stores; they can also be rented at local meat shops.
Lamb and mutton are extremely nutritious. They are rich in iron and vitamin B. They contain little fat but 3 to 10 times as much carnitine as other types of meat, which helps burn fat. They are also said to lower cholesterol. There are many jingisukan restaurants in Iwate, especially in Tono, Hachimantai, and Shizukuishi; jingisukan is also served at the Iwate Snow Festival and at various cherry blossom viewing events.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info/app

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Kakko Dango ( Ichinoseki City )
Gembikei is famous for its dango, or sweet rice dumpling. The most famous dango shop is Kakkoya, established in 1878, renown for its Kakko Dango or “Flying Dango.” Place your money in the basket hanging on a cable over the river and knock on the board to signal the store on the other side of the river; the basket is pulled to the store and sent flying back with dango and tea inside. Three types of dango are available: an ( red bean ) , goma ( sesame ) , and mitarashi ( sweet soy sauce syrup ) . Tricolor dango of zunda ( sweet green bean paste ) , kurumi ( walnut ) , and mitarashi ( sweet soy sauce syrup ) are also available. A red flag by the store signals that all the dango are sold out for the day.

The name “Kakkoya,” which means “Cuckoo's Store,” came from its founder who was good at imitating the call of a cuckoo. The store is in a traditional Japanese building with a great view of Gembikei and a Japanese garden. The seats by the window are perfect for cooling down after a walk along the gorge, or to enjoy the beautiful fall colors.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info/app

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kamasu mochi, kamasumochi かますもち dumplings with kamasu fish
From the Northern area. Made from wheat flour. Little pouches are filled with the boiled fish and vegetables. Miso paste can be added.


kanenari かねなり dumplings "to get rich"
Made from uruchimai rice and fried in soy sauce. In the form of koban 小判, old gold money, hence the name. Speciality of the Tono area 遠野名物.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



matsumo 松藻 kind of hornwort
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Nambu hanamagari 南部鼻曲がり dried salmon "with a bent nose"
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Nanbu senbei, Nambu senbei 南部せんべい rice crackers from Morioka

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Noda no Shio のだ塩 Salt from Noda village
made in traditional fashion, by boiling sea water in large ovens.


source : www.noda-kanko.com

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Pork Brands
There are 30 brand-pork breeds in Iwate, which has a perfect natural environment for pig farming. Each brand boasts unique features such as special feed or environment. Pork is a healthy meat rich in Vitamin B1. Many of the brands are served at restaurants throughout Iwate.

Oritsume Sangenton Sasuke
The pigs are raised on a farm on Mt. Oritsumedake in Ninohe. Vegetable carbides from a 3- million-year-old geological stratum are added to non-GM feed, which make the meat mild, tender, and succulent.

Platinum Pork
The pigs are raised on a farm surrounded by the Ou Mountains in Hanamaki. The pigs drink excellent spring water from the mountains which is further purified using minerals from Kamaishi; this makes the meat superbly tender and mild.

Tochucha Pork ( Eucommia Leaf Pork )
Eucommia, originally from China and used as tea leaves, are also grown in Hachimantai City, Iwate. The leaves are fed to the pigs to make the meat tender and the fat mild.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info/app

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ocha mochi お茶もち "tea mochi" rice dumplings
made from rice flour, round dumplings are flattened and put on skewers. They used to be called uchiwa mochi (handfan mochi), the pronounciation changed then to ujamochi うじゃもち ... ocha mochi.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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reimen れいめん cold noodles
Origianlly from Korea.
Noodles made of wheat flour and starch.
Toppings of slices of pork or boiled egg, also fresh vegetables like carrots, spring onion or water melons. On top of all, a spoonfull of kimchi.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Morioka Reimen is one of the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka,”
along with Wanko Soba and Jajamen. Reimen is originally a Korean dish; Morioka Reimen Noodles was first served in 1954 by a yakiniku restaurant owner from Korea. The most unique characteristic of Morioka Reimen Noodles is the rubbery texture of the noodles, which are served in a cold soup with beef, kimchi, cucumber, boiled egg, and a piece of fruit such as apple, pear, or watermelon.

The fruit helps soothe your mouth if the soup is too spicy. You can usually choose from three levels of spiciness; if you are not sure which level to get, you should go for “betsukara,” which means the kimchi which is added to the soup is served separately so that you can adjust the spiciness yourself.
You can try Morioka Reimen Noodles at basically any yakiniku restaurant in Morioka.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info/app

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sansai 山菜 ( Wild Edible Plants )
Wild edible plants can be gathered on mountains throughout Iwate in spring. They are available only for a limited time and are considered seasonal delicacies of the spring. Japanese restaurants serve a variety of sansai dishes such as sansai tempura and aemono ( dressed with various condiments such as miso, sesame, or vinegar ) .
Today, some sansai are grown on farms or imported, but natural sansai are the best and most nutritious. Some of the most popular wild edible plants are: fukinoto ( Japanese butterbur flower-bud ) , warabi ( bracken ) , and zenmai ( Japanese royal fern ) . Sansai tend to be a little bitter so they are not very popular with children, but are delicacies to most adults.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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uchiwamochi, uchiwa mochi うちわもち (うちわ餅) dumplings made of buckwheat flour, shaped like an uchiwa handfan, put on skewers, see ocha mochi
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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Yama-budo Products ( mountain grapes )
Yama-budo juice is a traditional and healthy drink which has always been popular in Iwate. With 8 times as much polyphenol, 3 times as much iron, and 4 times as much vitamin C as grapes, yama-budo juice is considered a great pick-me-up. There are many Yama-budo Products such as wine, juice, and jam.
You can drink the juice in shots, or mixed with soda water. Other newer products include vinegar, jello, ice cream, and cheesecake. In fall, you can also buy fresh yama-budo at local farmers' markets.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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wankosoba わんこそば (わんこ蕎麦 / (椀こそば) Morioka, buckwheat noodles
Small servings of soba, served "all you can eat" and as fast as you can eat. How many can you gulp down in xx minutes?
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

These noodles are also served in Hanamaki town 花巻市 and competitions are held there.
Hanamaki Clay Dolls and Daruma
Hanamaki Tsuchi ningyoo 花巻人形



CLICK for more photos !

「そばっち」 Sobatchi Mascot of Wankosoba, Iwate

- quote
Wanko Soba (わんこそば) is a style of Japanese soba noodles originating from Iwate Prefecture in Japan, particularly Morioka and Hanamaki. It consists of a small serving of soba noodles in a small bowl.



The name Wanko comes from the regional dialect of the Iwate Prefecture from which it comes, meaning "bowl", but more specifically, a small, wooden Japanese soup bowl.] There are many theories about the origin of the dish itself however.

(1) One such origin is of a landowner who was having a festival on his land. There was a crowd of over 100 villagers and guests who customarily ate soba at festivals. However, there were so many people to feed but the pots in which the soba were to be made were very small. The soba noodles were spread around in reduced quantities so that there would be enough for everyone.

(2) Nanbu Toshinao, a territorial lord of the Nanbu area, came and stopped at a house in Hanamaki asking for a meal. His retainers served him a local variety of soba in a small soup bowl. Thinking they served Nanbu Toshinao something too rustic and without much flavor, they were afraid of his reaction. But Nanbu Toshinao thought it was delicious, and ordered more servings. This is said to have established the tradition of hosts continuing to serve small bowls until their guest was satisfied.

There are many stories of how the dish came to be, but these two are the most common. However, the term "Wanko" did not come about until after World War II, some repudiate the stories.

In December 1957 in Hanamaki, the Wanko Winter Sumo Place put on an exhibit in which participants from many countries contested to see who could eat the most bowls of wanko soba.
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Nanbu Toshinao 南部利直 (1576 - 1632)
was born at Tago Castle, in Sannohe, the eldest son of Nanbu Nobunao. In 1599 he succeeded his newly deceased father as head of the Nanbu clan. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death, he improved his ties with Tokugawa Ieyasu. He took part in the Sekigahara Campaign, and was recognized by Ieyasu as lord of Morioka. Toshinao also took part in the Siege of Osaka in 1614.
Toshinao was also responsible for improving mining operations within the Morioka domain.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !



- quote
Wanko Soba Noodles
Buckwheat noodles (soba) are served up as a lively eating contest. This local favorite began almost four centuries ago as an efficient way to provide guests with “all-you-can-eat” noodles, and continues today as one of Iwate’s most famous food experiences. Count your bite-sized bowls as you down them, but beware! Slide the lid on your bowl quickly when you’re done, or one of the servers will slide in a new portion for you to eat.



Wanko Soba Noodles is served with various condiments, such as: tuna sashimi; nameko, mushrooms with a slightly gelatinous coating, simmered in soy sauce; daikon radish pickled in miso with crushed walnuts; harako, or salmon roe. Sometimes people forget about the contest and take their time to enjoy the delicious soba and the condiments. Some restaurants offer a set menu of condiments and several bowls of soba, for those who opt not to eat them contest-style. In Iwate, there are many soba restaurants, each with different soba, condiments, and dipping sauce. A reservation is often required for Wanko Soba Noodles, so check before going to a soba restaurant.
- source : www.japan-iwate.info

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wanko kyoodai わんこきょうだい the Wanko Brothers



They are names of local dishes ending with -tchi

そばっち Sobatchi from Morioka
とふっち Tofutchi from 盛岡・八幡平・県央エリア Central Iwate
おもっち Omotchi from 平泉・花巻・遠野・県南エリア Southern Iwate
うにっち Unitchi (Wunitchi) from 宮古・釜石・大船渡・沿岸南部エリア The Coast Line
こくっち Kokutchi from 二戸・久慈・県北エリア Northern Iwate



They became quite popular and are now also available as a bento lunch :


CLICK for more images !


. Buckwheat plant and food (soba) .

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Abalone
Sea Urchins
Sushi and Seafood
- source : www.japan-iwate.info/app

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Spezialitäten aus Japans Nudelhauptstadt

Morioka gilt als Hauptstadt der Nudeln. Nirgendwo sonst in Japan nämlich werden mehr Nudeln verspeist.
Wankosoba, Reimen und Jajamen – das sind die Nudelsorten, für die Morioka berühmt ist. Wankosoba sind Buchweizennudeln, die klein portioniert in vielen Schalen schnell hintereinander serviert werden. Meistens artet diese rasche Servierfolge in hektisches Wettessen aus.

Die Nudelsorte Reimen wird indes kalt gegessen. Ursprünglich stammt sie aus Korea. Im Mai des Jahres 1954 eröffnete in Morioka der Koreaner Yang Yong Chul unter dem japanischen Namen Aoki das erste Reimen-Nudelrestaurant »Shokudoo-en«, das inzwischen von seinen Söhnen weitergeführt wird. Das Gericht fand schnell in der ganzen Stadt Verbreitung.
Die Nudeln aus Weizenmehl und Hundsveilchen-Stärke (oder Kartoffelstärke) haben eine besonders feste Konsistenz – »fast wie Gummi«, empfanden die ersten Kunden damals. Für die Suppe lässt man Rinderknochen lange köcheln. Das recht scharfe Gericht wird mit koreanischem Kimchi und einem halben, hart gekochten Ei serviert. Um die Schärfe zu mildern wird als Beilage eine Wassermelonenscheibe oder ein Apfelstück angeboten – manchmal auch beides.

Jajamen-Nudeln 
Jajamen-Nudeln haben ihren Ursprung ebenfalls in einem anderen asiatischen Land. Sie zählen mittlerweile jedoch ebenso wie die beiden anderen Nudelarten zur typisch japanischen Küche. Ein Herr Takashina begann die Herstellung dieser Nudeln nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. Dabei versuchte er, den Geschmack von einem Nudelgericht nachzuahmen, das er in der Mandschurei gegessen hatte. Der japanische Name für dieses Gericht lehnt sich an den chinesischen Ursprung an: jia jiang mein. Die flachen Weizennudeln werden ohne Suppe mit einer Hackfleisch-Miso-Sauce gegessen, für Frische und Würze sorgen Gurkenscheiben, Schalotten und Ingwer. Nachdem die Nudeln bis auf einen kleinen Rest verzehrt sind, schlagen Kenner ein rohes Ei in den Teller, geben noch etwas Hackfleisch-Miso-Sauce dazu und gießen alles mit heißem Nudelwasser auf. Das ergibt die aromatische Suppe Chi-Tan-Tan.
Jedes der inzwischen zahlreichen Restaurants kreiert mit einer eigenständigen Sauce und unterschiedlichen Beilagen seine einzigartige, typische Geschmacksvariante.

Die Buchweizennudeln Wankosoba aus Morioka sind am spektakulärsten. Sie werden in kleinen, mundgerechten Portionen serviert, von denen eine allein kaum satt machen würde. Aber für nicht enden wollenden Nachschub sorgt eine zumeist attraktive Serviererin, die hinter jedem Gast stehend mit dem Ruf »Hai, jan, jan!« flink eine neue Portion in die Essschale füllt. Die leeren Portionsschalen werden auf dem Tisch neben dem Tablett gestapelt und dokumentieren trophäengleich die Anzahl der konsumierten Portionen.

Ist der Gast satt und möchte nicht mehr weiteressen, sollte er rasch einen Deckel auf seine Schale legen. Sonst ist die Serviererin schneller und legt eine nächste Portion nach.
Beste Chancen auf einen Sieg beim Wettessen werden gewahrt, wenn folgende Grundregeln beherzigt werden: Beim Essen darf unbedingt geschlürft werden. Die Suppe sollte am besten gar nicht erst mitgetrunken werden. Möglichst sollte die einmal gewählte Geschmacksvariante beibehalten werden. Und auf gar keinen Fall kauen – einfach hinunterschlucken.

Jedes Jahr finden große Wankosoba-Wettbewerbe in Hanamaki und in Morioka statt. Der Rekord liegt beim Verzehr von respektablen 559 Portionsschalen in 15 Minuten. Wer bei diesen Wettessen die meisten Nudeln gegessen hat, bekommt ein Zertifikat und darf sich Yokozuna nennen – wie ein Sumo-Ringer von höchstem Rang.

Ursprung und Herkunft der Wankosoba-Nudeln sind vom Namen nicht abzuleiten. Denn wanko bedeutet im Dialekt von Iwate einfach nur »Essschale«. Allerdings existieren Legenden zur Entstehungsgeschichte.

Eine sagenhafte Geschichte beruft sich auf eine Begebenheit in der Edo-Zeit (1600–1868). Bei einer großen Versammlung musste ein Dorfvorstand mehr als 100 Gäste in kürzester Zeit beköstigen. Da kleine Portionen schneller gegart und serviert werden können als große, sollen zu dieser Gelegenheit erstmals Nudeln nach Wankosoba-Art gereicht worden sein.

Eine andere Legende besagt, der Regionalfürst, Nanbu Toshinao, habe bei seiner Durchreise nach Tokyo in der Stadt Hanamaki Station gemacht, um sich zu stärken. Der ehrfürchtige Wirt brachte eine Schale mit Buchweizennudeln, aber nur ein Probierhäppchen. Er wollte den Landesherrn nicht beleidigen, falls der Geschmack nicht genehm sei. Dem Fürsten aber schmeckte es so gut, dass er immer wieder weitere Portionen nachforderte, die selbstverständlich in schneller Folge serviert wurden.


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way



The Koiwai Farm 小岩井
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Die großen Weiden der Koiwai-Farm bieten mit dem Berg Iwatesan (2041m) als Hintergrund ein Bild ländlichen Friedens und natürlicher Landwirtschaft. Sie liegt nur 12 km nordwestlich der Stadt Morioka.
Im Jahre 1891 begann Inoue Masaru hier mit der Zucht von Holstein, Ayrshire und Brown Swiss Kühen, bald gefolgt von zwei weiteren Landwirten aus der Gegend. 1902 begann dann auch die Pferdezucht und 1962 die Hühnerzucht. 1938 wurde der Name KO IWA I erfunden, er besteht aus den Initialen der drei Gründer, Ono Gishi (KO), Iwasaki Yanosuke (IWA) und Inoue Masaru (I). 1969 wurden neun der alten Gebäude zu wichtigen nationalen Kulturdenkmalen ernannt (national tangible cultural properties).
Inzwischen werden Milch- und Eierprodukte der Farm in ganz Japan verkauft.
http://www.koiwai.co.jp/english/guide/rekishi.html




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HAIKU




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Related words

***** WASHOKU : Regional Japanese Dishes

March 11, 2011
. Japan - after the BIG earthquake -   

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5/08/2008

Kumamoto

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CLICK for more photos

Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本県,Kumamoto-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.

Historically the area was called Higo 肥後 province and was renamed to Kumamoto prefecture during the Meiji Restoration as part of the abolition of the feudal system. The current Japanese orthography for Kumamoto literally means "bear root/origin", or "origin of the bear".

Mt. Aso, Aso san 阿蘇山 (1592 m), an extensive active volcano, is in the east of Kumamoto Prefecture. This volcano is located at the center of the Aso caldera, the most famous caldera in Japan.

Kato Kiyomasa, a contemporary of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was made daimyo of half of the (old) administrative region of Higo in 1588.

Amakusa
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. WASHOKU
The Ariake Sea (有明海, Ariake-kai, Ariakekai)
 



WKD : Frost Shrine (Shimo Jinja 霜神社)
Aso Shrine (阿蘇神社 Aso-jinja)


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A lot of horse meat is eaten in Kumamoto.
WASHOKU
Horse meat, baniku ばにく/ 馬肉 , sakuraniku 桜肉


sakuranattoo, sakura nattoo 桜納豆 finely cut raw horse meat with natto, an egg and some mustard

basashi 馬刺し sashimi of horse meat

umashabu 馬しゃぶ Shabushabu with horse meat
CLICK here for PHOTOS !


warishita わりした broth at the end of a sukiyaki is eaten with kishimen noodles.
see: soysauce


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Kareigawa Ekiben Station Lunchbox
嘉例川駅

百年の旅物語 かれい川 Kareigawa
only with local vegetables.
gane ガネ local name for kakiage, tempura of vegetables
It is prepared with sliced sticks of sweet potatoes, carrots and nira leek takes about 3 hours to prepare!
A pair of mother and daughter prepare only 30 packs for each sunday, and is always sold out immediately. The station house is an old wooden building.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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Higo yasai 肥後野菜 vegetables from Higo


hitomoji ひともじ hitomoji leek
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Kasuga boobura 春日ぼうぶら kind of gourd
boobura ぼうぶら【南瓜】 (bobura) is the way they are called in West-Japan. From the Portugese abobora.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Kumamoto ingen 熊本いんげん ingen beans

Kumamoto Kyoona 熊本京菜 kyona leafy

Kumamoto naga ninjin  長人参 long carrots

Kumamoto nasu 熊本なす eggplants

Kumamoto negi 熊本ねぎ leek


Temple Suizenji is place name in the Kumamoto town area. During the Edo period, the Daimyo Hosokawa Tadatoshi 細川忠利 had build a temple in the area, which was later rebuild elsewhere and thea area became a large park, Joojuu en 成趣園 or Suizenji Kooen 水前寺公園.
. Hosokawa Tadatoshi 細川忠利 (1586 – 1641) .


Suizenji moyashi 水前寺もやし been sprouts from Suizenji
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Suizenjina, suizenji na 水前寺菜 "leafy vegetables from Temple Suizenji"
One leaf side is green and the other violet.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Suizenjinori, suizenji nori 水前寺のり seaweed

Suizenjiseri, suizenji seri 水前寺せり dropwort


. WASHOKU
Dentoo yasai 伝統野菜 Traditional Vegetables from Japan
 
Dento Yasai


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More Dishes from Kumamoto 熊本の郷土料理
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



Amakusa daioo 天草大王 "king of Amakusa"
a local chicken brand
The meat is also used for a "chicken shabu shabu"
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



chikuwa sarada ちくわサラダ chikuwa filled with potato salad
ポテトサラダ
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


furikake gohan no tomo ご飯の供 "friend of the cooked rice"
CLICK here for PHOTOS !
Kumamoto was one of the first places to develop furikake, toppings to sprinkle on rice. They also sprinkle it on other dishes like natto and salads.
CLICK for more photos A new one to sprinkle on "rice with a raw egg" (tamagokake gohan 卵かけご飯) is developed, where you put the raw egg on the rice and the topping all around and do not use soy sauce any more.




hamaguri ryoori ハマグリ料理 / 蛤料理
dishes with hamaguri clams



Higo dried taro root, higo zuiki 肥後ずいき

CLICK for more photos

The dried root of a taro is bundled together, looking almost like a male symbol.
It has been used by the ladies as such ...

随喜 zuiki, great pleasure, shedding tears of joy

This root is longer than the normal taro roots, and maybe started being introduced after the first Europeans came to the area. Some say, the cucumber for an European lady, the zuiki for a Japanese geisha!


芋茎(ずいき) Zuiki Taro and the 随喜 Zuiki Vegetable Festival
also spelled
suiki すいき.

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ikinaridago, ikinari dago いきなりだご
the local pronounciation of
ikinari dango いきなり団子 "all of a sudden dumplings"
. . . CLICK here for Photos !




kaki 牡蠣 カキ / 熊本カキ Kumamoto oysters,
There is a local variety of oysters, that is now revived to produce a regional speciality since Autumn of 2009.
From 1949 to 1958 these oysters had been exported to the West Coast of America and grown there.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
Reference : Kumamoto Oysters



karashi renkon 辛子れんこん lotus root with mustard paste



kidako きだこ moray eel
Gymnothorax kidako
local dialect for the utsubo うつぼ, taken from the latin name of the animal.
The fish has a very large mouth with strong teeth and can bite the fishermen.
It has a very thick skin and many small bones. But through special preparation, it is now sold packed with a miso paste to make a hodgepodge, kidakonabe きだこ(うつぼ)鍋 with a lot of collagen.
From Amakusa.
CLICK here for PHOTOS !



kumaebi, kuma-ebi くまえび / 隈海老 / クマ海老
Green tiger prawn
from Kumamoto, also called aka-ashi ebi 赤あし
Penaeus semisulcatus
They are caught in special boats in the Yatsushirokai 八代海.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
Also in the Seto Inland Sea

. Utasebune 打瀬船
boats for catching shrimp



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raisuyaki ライス焼き "fried rice", rice on o-konomiyaki
ご飯入りお好み焼き
with special toppings of miso paste with mayonaise, shrimp, meat and anything you like ... even with curry taste.
It was "invented" by a housewife who told her husband to mix mayonaise with miso (things all kids like) and prepare a simpel fast food for dinner . . . more than 30 years ago, still a favorite of the region.
The restaurant now prepares more than 400 meals a day, many for home delivery.


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shooyu suiitsu 醤油スイーツ sweets made with soy sauce
suiitsu shooyu スイーツ醤油 soy sauce for sweets



suika スイカ watermelon
Kumamoto is one of the great producing areas. Before the war, a variety with a thick outer skin were produced. After eating the red fruit, the housewife cuts the thick skin off and puts the leftovers, cut to bite size, in a bolw, mix it with salt and let it stay for a day.
suika no asazuke スイカを漬物.
Even now, with varieties of a much thinner outer skin, this pickle is loved in Kumamoto.



Takamori Dengaku 高森田楽
From Aso, Takamori village 阿蘇高森田楽の里



Tsuetate purin 杖立プリン pudding from Tsuetate
from Tsuetate Onsen hot spring 杖立温泉 , 小国町
This small town is also known for its koinobori carp streamers over the small river in town and its many very narrow alleys with hot spring ryokan lodgings.
CLICK here for PHOTOS !



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yubeshi ゆべし yuzu dumplings
with ?miso, rice and lots of yuzu or citron fruit juice, sometimes with walnuts
yubesi

Princess Atsuhime liked this very much. When she travelled by land to Edo, she also found yubeshi in the postal station of Yakage in Okayama 岡山県矢掛町 and ordered more than 500 packs of it to share with others.

. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


miru ミル miru seaweed

Codium fragile.
Green sea fingers, Dead man's fingers, felty fingers, felt-alga, Green sponge, Green fleece
This siphonous alga is dark green in color. It appears as a fuzzy patch of tubular fingers. These formations hang down from rocks during low tide.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !

It has a special finger form which later became the pattern of a local white and blue pottery,

Takahama yaki 高浜焼
from Amakusa 天草

It is part of the tradtion of
Amakusa Toojiki 天草陶磁器 ceramics

First established in 1762 by Ueda Dengoemon 上田伝五右衛門.





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HAIKU




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Related words

***** WASHOKU : Regional Dishes
- #kumamoto -
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4/02/2008

Bento, Bentoo ... Lunchbox

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Bento

Bento, bentoo 弁当 lunch box, Lunchpaket
ekiben,駅弁 famous lunch boxes at every station, Bahnhofs-Bentō
bentoobako, bentobako, boxes for this lunch 弁当箱


Bentō; O-Bentō, Lunch-Paket
Bentō-Schachtel; Frühstückskasten, Bentoschachtel


gekiyasu bentoo 激安弁当 extremely cheap lunchbox
On July 10, they sold three different types of delicious lunchboxes for 198 YEN in Hyogo prefecture, Kakogawa town, with rice and five pieces of side dishes, for example fried fish or a large croquette.
198円弁当
198円焼きそば弁当 Yakisoba bento
198円カレー弁当 Curry bento

There is a real war out there for cheaper and yet better lunchboxes.


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CLICK for more photos



jikiroo じきろう(食籠) food box with a lid
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
. . . hakkaku jikiroo 八角喰籠 (はっかくじきろう) octagonal food box
Those old ones of Negoro laquer are especially famous.
. jikirou 食籠 jikiro - lidded food container .



juubako じゅうばこ (重箱) food box with many layers
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
..... sagejuu さげじゅう(提げ重) box with a handle


koori 行李(こうり) boxes from woven bamboo or willow
They could be thrown away after finishing lunch.


shookado bentoo (松花堂弁当)
A traditional black-lacquered Japanese bento box.


warigo 破り子 cypress containers
since the Heian period, made of thin sheets. Usually with a lid. A kind of magewappa.
Mentsuu めんつう(面桶), menpa めんぱ/ mentsu めんつ
for example
Warigo Soba from Izumo
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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162 bentoo shelf
Selling BENTO at the station



aisai bentoo 愛妻弁当
"lunch prepared by a loving wife"
Prepared by the housewife for her family early in the morning. Most condiments are sold as frozen food to make things easier nowadays.

CLICK for more photos
Many workers carry a kind of thermo with three layers for rice, sice dishes and a container for miso soup, whith all food kept warm until the lunchbreak.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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Bentoobako ― Lunchboxes with Daruma
bentoobako 弁当箱 Bentobako

CLICK for original link ... mamaron




cat for lunch

- Shared by Toshiya Miyamoto -
Joys of Japan, 2012



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Issunbooshi bentoo 一寸法師弁当
Issun-Boshi Bento for Tom Thumb

From the Gion Quarter of Kyoto. Yuba tofu skin, Nanbanzuke pickles, kuruma ebi shrimps, local chicken.
Kyoto Obanzai おばんざい vegetables and food from Kyoto
CLICK for more photos
Däumling-Bento

Issunboshi ... The Legend of Tom Thumb  


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Rokuben, Bento for a kabuki performance in Oshika Village, Nagano
ろくべん, 大鹿歌舞伎
Prepared since the Edo period to be enjoyed whilst watching the village kabuki. Each household prepares its own in laquer boxes with the family crest, so when they share some boxes it will always come back to its owner.
Salted squid, chikuwa, green beans (ingen), pumpkin and other seasonal vegetables, altogether six (roku) items, hence the name. Mixed Rice (mazegohan) was added in one layer of the box.
Since the village is sourrounded by high mountains, it was impossible to get fresh fish.

. . . CLICK here for more kabuki Photos !


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warigo bentoo わりご弁当 bento for the village kabuki
土庄町の肥土山地区、中山地区で農村歌舞伎
Kabuki-Bentoo from the Island Shodoshima
WARIGO is the name for the wooden box of each family.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
A performance each year at the shrine Hachiman Jinja was the stage for a village kabuki. Sometimes more than 250 meals were prepared for the village and the actors.
Rice was cooked, as sushi or Inarizushi.
Cooked food was konnyaku, lotus, chikuwa, carrots, goboo, konbu and dried radish.



WASHOKU
Dishes from Shoodoshima 小豆島



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chuuka bentoo 中華弁当 with Chinese food.

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hinomaru bento 日の丸弁当
"bento like the Japanese flag"

only white rice and a red pickled plum (umeboshi) in the center.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

. hinomaru, hi no maru 日の丸 the Japanese Flag .
and
The Good Luck Flag, known as
hinomaru yosegaki (日の丸寄せ書き)


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makunouchi bentoo 幕の内弁当 "eaten between the curtsins" during a Kabuki performance in Old Edo.
with a slice of salmon, an eggroll, pickled plums and other traditional fair.
. . . CLICK here for Photos ! It will make your mouth water !


noriben 海苔弁 slices of nori dipped in soy sauce cover the cooked rice.
A very simple form for busy mothers.

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shidashi-ya しだしや【仕出し屋】catering
Restaurant, das Essen auf Bestellung liefert.



The Shidashiya of Kyoto are especially famous.
They cater for private events and also deliver to temples and tea masters. Many prepare most of the food in their own kitchen and then go to the temple kitchen to prepare a hot soup or cook rice ready eat at the tea ceremony right to the minute. Many have a long tradition with their customers and wooden boards with the names of their client temples, for example, hang at their entrance. They often have long discussions with a priest or tea master about the food, which must be seasonal and beautifully arranged on special dishes.


shidashi bentoo 仕出し弁当 made in a restaurant and delivered for lunch at special occasions, like a funeral or meeting.
similar to
demae 出前 ordering food from a restaurant



okamochi 岡持ち special box for delivering food
food delivery case

usually with a lid or doors a the side and various shelves to store the food.
oka means "hill", maybe a distortion of oke 桶 bucket. Or the food is heaped like a mountain "oka" inside.


岡持にうごくもしれぬ海鼡哉
okamochi ni ugoku mo shirenu namako kana

in the delivery box
it is maybe still moving
this sea slug . . .

Tr. Gabi Greve

Tagaya Kioo 多賀谷亀翁 Tagaya Kio
Haikai poet of the middle Edo period.




okamochi from the Edo period

- - reference - -


. Okamochi for delivering sushi .
sushiuri, sushi-uri 鮨売り / すし売り Sushi vendor in Edo


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Shookadoo Bentoo 松花堂弁当 Shokado Bento Kyoto Kaiseki


sushizume 鮨詰め round box filled with sushi pieces


tori bentoo, shortend to TORIBEN 鳥弁当 with slices of grilled chicken
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
speciality of Gunma prefecture


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Famous Ekiben Station Lunchboxes

WASHOKU : Ekiben 駅弁 Station Lunch Box
Lunchpaket vom Bahnhof

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kuukoo bentoo 空港弁当 lunchbox at an airport
soraben 空弁(そらべん)
Since 2003, even airports serve special bentos for their visitors with local specialities, to be eaten on the spot or taken home as souvenir.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Chuubuu Kokusai Kuukoo Central Airport
misokatsu sando みそかつサンド Sandwich with kotelette in miso
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Haneda Kuukoo 羽田空港 Haneda Airport
michiko no hamayaki sushi みち子の浜焼き鯖寿司 Sushi
with fish from Wakasa Bay
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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quote
Bentō (弁当 or べんとう, Bentō) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables as a side dish. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. Although bento is readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops (弁当屋, bentō-ya), train stations, and department stores, it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend considerable time and energy producing an appealing boxed lunch.

Bento can be very elaborately arranged. Contests are often held where homemakers can compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements. The food is often decorated to look like people, animals, or characters and items such as flowers and plants. This style of elaborate bento is called kyaraben キャラ弁 (kyara : character bento).

History
The origin of bento can be traced back to the late Kamakura Period (1185 to 1333), when cooked and dried rice called hoshi-ii (糒 or 干し飯, literally "dried meal") was developed. Hoshi-ii can be eaten as is, or can be boiled with water to make cooked rice, and is stored in a small bag. In the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568 to 1600), wooden lacquered boxes like today's were produced and bento would be eaten during a hanami or a tea party.

In the peaceful and prosperous time of the Edo Period (1603 to 1867), bento culture spread and became more refined. Travelers and sightseers would carry a simple koshibentō (腰弁当, "waist bento"), consisting of several onigiri wrapped with bamboo leaves or in a woven bamboo box. One of the most popular styles of bento, called makuno-uchi bentō ("between-act bento"), was first made during this period. People who came to see Noh and Kabuki ate specially prepared bento between maku (acts). Numerous cookbooks were published detailing how to cook, how to pack, and what to prepare for occasions like Hanami and Hinamatsuri.

In the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), the first ekibentō or ekiben (駅弁当 or 駅弁, "train station bento") was sold. There are several records that claim where ekiben was first sold, but it is believed that it was sold on 16 July 1885, at the Utsunomiya train station, and contained two onigiri and a serving of takuan wrapped in bamboo leaves. As early schools did not provide lunch, students and teachers carried bento, as did many employees. A "European" style bento with sandwiches also went on sale during this period.

In the Taishō period (1912 to 1926), the aluminum bento box became a luxury item because of its ease of cleaning and its silver-like appearance. Also, a move to abolish the practice of bento in school became a social issue. Disparities in wealth spread during this period, following an export boom during World War I and subsequent crop failures in the Tohoku region. A bento too often reflected a student's wealth, and many wondered if this had an unfavorable influence on children both physically, from lack of adequate diet, and psychologically, from a clumsily made bento or the richness of food. After World War II, the practice of bringing bento to school gradually declined and was replaced by uniform food provided for all students and teachers.

Bento regained its popularity in the 1980s, with the help of the microwave oven and the proliferation of convenience stores. In addition, the expensive wood and metal boxes have been replaced at most bento shops with inexpensive, disposable polystyrene boxes. However, even handmade bento have made a comeback, and they are once again a common, although not universal, sight at Japanese schools. The Bento is still used by workers as a packed lunch, by families on day trips, for school picnics and sports days etc. The Bento, made at home, is wrapped in a furoshiki cloth, which acts as both bag and table mat.

In 2003, airports started offering an analogous version of the ekiben: bento filled with local cuisine, to be eaten while waiting for an airplane or during the flight.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way



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HAIKU


駅弁に掌のひら程の鮭がつき  
ekiben ni te no hira no shake ga tsuki

station lunchbox ...
a piece of salmon
the size of my hand   
    

Hoshi Reiko 星令子


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駅弁に鮭のフライも郷土色  
ekiben ni shake no furai mo kyoodo iro

the fried salmon
of this station lunch box also
has the color of home


Shunsui 春翠



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Related words

***** WASHOKU : Regional Japanese Dishes

***** Sansai 山菜  Mountain vegetables


***** WASHOKU : General Information and References
bentoo, bentou, bentoh, Deutschland
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