Local Foods in Oita – Part 3

Local Foods

This page is a continuation of the following pages.

omochi-jung
omochi-jung

On this page, I introduce a list of local foods (seasoning, pork, noodles) that Japanese people want to eat when sightseeing in Oita, Kyushu region.

Gomadashi

  • Read in Japanese: Gomadashi
  • Original name: ごまだし
  • Category: Seasoning

Gomadashi is a seasoning made by grating grilled fish meat and sesame seeds and mixing them with soy sauce and other ingredients. It is commonly eaten with udon noodles as gomadashi udon. It is also used in chazuke (rice with green tea), tofu, pasta, and other dishes.

Gomadashi udon01
Gomadashi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yuzu pepper

  • Read in Japanese: Yuzu gosho
  • Original name: 柚子胡椒
  • Category: Seasoning

Yuzu gosho is a seasoning made by rubbing together chopped chili peppers, yuzu peels, and salt and then aging the mixture. It is said to have originated in Oita. It is used in a variety of dishes such as soups, noodles, meat, and sashimi.

Photo courtesy of photoAC

Soy sauce with citrus juice

  • Read in Japanese: Kabosu ponzu
  • Original name: かぼすぽん酢
  • Category: Seasoning

Kabosu ponzu is made from soy sauce with kabosu produced in Oita. It has the flavor of kabosu and a refreshing sour taste, and goes well with a variety of dishes such as hot pot, seafood, and salad.

The following figure is the example of ponzu (the left side).

Torafugu-kawapon su
ayustety from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nira buta

  • Read in Japanese: Nira buta
  • Original name: ニラ豚
  • Category: Pork

Nira buta is made by stir-frying Chinese chives, pork, and cabbage together and seasoning them with soy sauce. Oita is one of the most famous Chinese chives producing areas in Japan, and is said to be the birthplace of nira buta. It is a popular dish among the local people.

The following figure is the example of nira buta.

Photo courtesy of photoAC

Stir-fried noodles

  • Read in Japanese: Hita yakisoba
  • Original name: 日田やきそば
  • Category: Noodles

There are a number of famous yakisoba in various parts of Japan, and Hita yakisoba is one of them. One of the characteristics of Hita yakisoba is that the noodles are well cooked on a griddle, giving them a crispy texture. The noodles are seasoned with vegetables, pork, and sauce.

Photo courtesy of photoAC

Cold noodles

  • Read in Japanese: Beppu reimen
  • Original name: 別府冷麺
  • Category: Noodles

Beppu reimen (cold noodles) is characterized by noodles based on buckwheat flour, wheat flour, and starch, and a seafood-based Japanese-style soup. It is served with char siu beef, kimchi, eggs, etc. As hot springs are famous in Beppu, Oita, it is a popular dish to eat after taking a hot bath.

Photo courtesy of photoAC

Comment