Chiba Prefecture’s recommended local cuisine
Table of contents
1. “Futomaki zushi (Thick roll sushi)”
2. “Seguro Iwashi no goma zuke (pickled anchovy in sesame)”
3. Other local dishes “Namero”
4. Other local dishes “San ga Yaki”
The recommended local dishes of Chiba prefecture are “Futomaki zushi (Thick roll sushi)” and “Seguro Iwashi no goma zuke (pickled anchovy in sesame)”. Both have been selected as one of the “100 Best Local Cuisine” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
1. “Futomaki zushi (Thick roll sushi)”
The history of “Futomaki zushi (Thick roll sushi)” dates back to the late 1700s. Farmers in Chiba Prefecture have eaten “Taimaki Zushi” at annual events and ceremonial occasions such as festivals, peach festivals, cherry blossom viewing, and entrance ceremonies. “Futomaki zushi (Thick roll sushi)” is eaten all year round. It features a gorgeous design of the cross section when a thick roll is cut. However, sushi with flashy colors cannot be made at the funeral.
Below is a photo of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website.
2. “Seguro Iwashi no goma zuke (pickled anchovy in sesame)”
“Seguro Iwashi no goma zuke (pickled anchovy in sesame)” is a traditional food that preserves the anchovy that is caught in large quantities at Kujukuri Beach. It is made in winter, which is the season for anchovy. Soak the anchovy in salt, add roasted sesame seeds and red pepper, and it will be ready to eat in 2 to 3 days.
The picture below is a picture of a sardine, but it is not a picture of “Seguro Iwashi no goma zuke (pickled anchovy in sesame)”.
Unfortunately, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ “Local dishes loved by the nation” has not been selected from Chiba Prefecture. As other local dishes in Chiba prefecture, I would like to introduce “Namero” and “San ga Yaki”, which I personally love.
3. Other local dishes “Namero”
“Namero” is made by finely tapping seasonal fish such as horse mackerel, sardines, saury, and flying fish with miso. It is a fisherman’s dish designed by fishermen in Kazusa and Awa to cook freshly caught fish on an unstable ship. Fishermen put miso instead of soy sauce because they used miso, which is easy to use on board. It is said that it was named “Namero” because it is so delicious that you can lick the plate. Certainly, it is very delicious and is my favorite.
Nowadays, it is offered not only in Chiba prefecture but also in izakaya all over Japan, so I always order it when I find “Namero” in the menu.
4. Other local dishes “San ga Yaki”
“San ga Yaki” is a food made by baking “Namero”. When a fisherman goes to work in the mountains, he puts “Namero” in abalone shells, bakes it in a mountain lodge, and eats it. This is the beginning of “San ga Yaki”. “San ga Yaki” means the baked food that was eaten at the mountain house.
“San ga Yaki” is a food made by baking “Namero”, but the taste is so different that I think it is a completely different food. Therefore, I like to order both “Namero” and “San ga Yaki” on the menu.
Below is a photo of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website.
