Delicacies of Nara/Nara - A journey to the ancient city


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Delicacies of Nara

Yakuzen Ryori Dishes

Yakuzen Ryori refers to a healthy cuisine that originated in China. Fresh vegetables produced in Nara, including some that were first brought here from ancient China, are cooked with Japanese herbs and seasonings to create delicious food. Not only is it tasty, yakuzen ryori is also good for enhancing the immune system to keep you in good health. You can try both traditional as well as fusion style dishes.

Narazuke Pickles

Narazuke pickles date back to the 8th Century when Nara was the capital of Japan. They are pickles made from vegetables such as shirouri, a type of cucurbitaceous fruit, using "sakekasu", or sake lees. Nara's "sakekasu" is particularly tasty, and gives the pickles their unique flavor. Narazuke pickles are easily Nara's most famous regional specialty.

Chagayu (Tea Gruel)

Chagayu is one of Nara's famous homemade meals; as the saying goes "Mornings in Nara starts with tea gruel." Now, chagayu is used in a variety of cooking, such as Chagayu Kaiseki and Chagayu Bento. It is quite a simple dish, made of rice, water and tea such as Hojicha or roast tea. As simple as it is, Chagayu is quite popular in Nara due to its refreshing flavor and the way it slips easily down the throat.

Kuzu Ryori

The root of "kuzu", a plant from the legume family, can be crushed and refined to make starch. This starch is then used to make Kuzu Ryori. Kuzukiri is a semitransparent noodle made from Kuzu; it has a smooth texture and is delicious. Kuzu can also be used as an ingredient in various dishes; for example adding it to tofu or rice cake, makes them chewy and enhances the flavor.

Asuka Nabe

Asuka Nabe is a traditional dish from the Asuka area in Nara. Vegetables and chicken are cooked in a "nabe" or large pan, in a broth made from milk, soy bean paste and chicken. The broth is then eaten like a soup. The chicken and vegetables are dipped into beaten eggs before you eat them, like Sukiyaki. Even though the broth contains milk, it doesn't have a milky taste at all. It is a very healthy meal that is also very filling.

Somen Noodles

Somen are fine dried noodles that are only one or two millimeters in diameter. Somen produced in Nara are known for their high-quality due to the clear air and pure water. Somen have a history of more than 1000 years. They are cooked in boiling water then washed in cold water until they have cooled down. Cooked somen are served with a special soup called somen tsuyu. Adding spice and condiments enhances the taste of the somen.

Kakinoha Zushi

Kakinoha zushi is one of Nara's delicacies, made of rice seasoned with vinegar and slices of salmon or salted mackerel on top, formed in the shape of a cube, and wrapped with a "kakinoha" or persimmon leaf. Persimmon leaves contain tannin which acts as a natural antibacterial agent. They also contain vitamin C and can help to control high blood pressure. The mackerel used in this food is prepared according to a special method which is kept secret by the people who make it. This is why kakinoha zushi is only available in Nara.

Nara no Umaimono (Nara's delicacies):
Seven original dishes

Man'yo Bento

A lunch box with some of Nara's original flavors including traditional "Nara Chameshi (rice cooked with tea)".

Yamato Nikudori Teriyaki Don (Yamato Chicken Teriyaki Bowl)

Nara Prefecture Livestock Technology Center has developed special chicken named "Yamato Nikudori" by mating various breeds such as a Nagoya breed and gamecocks. This is a bowl of rice topped with teriyaki chicken using this tasty Yamato Nikudori.

Nara no Tori Cha (chicken with tea)

Boiled chicken, Narazuke pickles, thin slices of omelet and shiitake mushrooms cooked with sugar and soy sauce, are placed over a bowl of rice. Lastly, chicken broth is pored over on top before you eat it. It is similar to Japanese Ochazuke.

Black Rice Curry

A delicacy in Nara, the final destination on the Silk Road. This dish is a unique combination of curry and "kuromai", or black rice that was made in ancient Nara. Black rice curry has received favorable reviews.

Home grown Negi and Yamato Nikudori Sukiyaki.

Sukiyaki with chicken is traditionally a popular dish among people in Nara. This combination of Yamato Hutonegi (leek) and Yamato Nikudori chicken is especially tasty in autumn and winter.

Yamato Nabe

The soup of this Nabe dish is made from chicken broth and soy bean milk to give it a refreshing flavor. It also contains yamatoimo (yam) grated and then deep fried; it is especially tasty.

Kaki (persimmon) cake

Masaoka Shiki, a Japanese famous haiku poet wrote a well known haiku "Taking a bite of Kaki, suddenly the bell of Horyuji ringing". This is a Japanese pound cake that uses dried Kaki from Nara.

Table Manner

Japanese people do not use their chopsticks to spear food, or to drag bowls or a plates closer to them. Try to eat rice and miso soup by holdin
g the rice bowl or miso soup bowl with your left hand.

How to Use Chopsticks

How to Use Chopsticks Hold one chopstick between your thumb and the tip of your index finger resting it on the thumb side of your palm. Hold and move the other chopstick with your thumb, the index finger and middle finger. Bend the middle finger slightly and put the other chopstick on the side of your middle finger. Try to move the upper chopstick only, instead of moving both of them.

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