Discover Oita Prefecture’s Unique Kosho, Yuzu & Sweet Potato Specialties And More
Oita Prefecture showcase in Singapore- recent food tasting event at TORIKIN featuring 48 products from leading food and sake manufacturers in Oita Prefecture, Japan.
For the first time in Singapore, representatives from Oita Prefecture visited Singapore with a plethora of Oita local delights, they shared about Oita cuisine and products at TORIKIN, traditional Hakata restaurant located at UE Square.
On 28 February 2024, we attended a private tasting event showcasing delectable delights of Oita Prefecture at TORIKIN, a traditional Hakata restaurant specialising in mizutaki, motsunabe and more. Skilfully prepared by Chef Ishida’s team, we were treated to an exceptional tasting session featuring a variety of canapès, TORIKIN’s Mizutaki and Chicken Sukiyaki complemented with Oita Prefecture’s kosho, miso, soy sauce, yuzu and more.
Oita Prefecture
Source: Oita City Tourist Navi
Oita Prefecture is a nature wonderland located on the eastern coast of Kyushu, southern Japan, reputed for its hot springs, particularly in Beppu and Yufuin. Oita is blessed with an abundance of natural attractions such as the Kuju Mountains, referred to “the roof of Kyushu”, the Handa-Kuju highlands, and the scenic coast along Seto Inland Sea and Bungo Channel. With a warm climate and a conducive environment for agricultural products to grow, Oita Prefecture is the number one producer of kabosu (citrus fruit similar to lime). Other Oita specialty products include kosho (pepper), miso, yuzu and sweet potato beverages.
Sashimi Dipping Sauces
Ryukyu refers to sashimi seasoned with soy sauce, a unique regional dish available in Oita. Did you know that Kyushu soy sauce is on the sweeter side? Their unique recipe works well with a wide variety of dishes including meat and vegetables. On top of regular soy sauce, elevate your sashimi game with exquisite dipping sauce options such as Ryukyu Sauce and Kin Jan. Dip any kind of sashimi in the Ryukyu sauce.
Additionally, make your own ryukyu don by topping rice with sashimi, pour the sauce over the sashimi and finish off with some condiments such as sesame seeds.
Kin Jan- a versatile golden soy sauce, goes well with rice with raw egg. In addition, it brings out the flavour of the ingredients in seafood bowls, Japanese-style carpaccio, sushi and sashimi, and fish dishes. It goes well with meat and vegetable dishes too.
Most shoyu contain alcohol that comes naturally from the fermentation process that gives a nice fluffy odour and prevents mould. Halal soy sauce is produced in a unique manufacturing process which suppress alcohol production during the fermentation process. Fundokin Halal Soy Sauce is an authentically-brewed soy sauce with halal certification from the NPO Japan Halal Association. It has a deep flavour and rich taste.
Salad Dressings
When it comes to Japanese salad dressings, the classic sesame dressing will surely come to our minds. At Oita Prefecture, dressing salads gets a lot more exciting with options such as Yuzu Vinegar, Yuzu Kosho Dressing, Oba (perilla) Dressing, Oba Genovese Sauce, Kabosu and Hyuganatsu dressing, Aragoshi Fruit Juice Ponzu (top left to right).
Give your salad an extra citrus oomph with Kabosuni Hyganatsu Dressing which is essentially a citrus sour cream flavoured dressing which blends the refreshing sourness of kabosu with the refreshing sweetness of citrus Hyuganatsu.
Miso
Source: Yamashiroya
Miso is a traditional Japanese fermented condiment made from soybeans, koji (fermented rice) and salt. Find unique miso blends by Yamanshiroya such as Dengaku Miso, Garlic Miso and Mustard Vinegar Miso to spice up eggplant, pasta and carpaccio dishes respectively. Mustard Vinegar Miso complements fresh fish perfectly,, the combination of mustard and miso will certainly whet your appetite.
Source: Yamashiroya
In addition, the established miso producer also makes Kuro Dengaku Miso (Black Dengaku Miso), a versatile seasoning which can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. Dip grilled meat in the special black miso sauce or dress an otherwise plain vanilla ice-cream with this rich and sweet miso.
Kosho
Source: Oita Prefecture
Did you know that yuzu kosho – or yuzu gosho, as it is known in Oita, has become a popular condiment all over Japan and is even sold in tubes alongside wasabi (Japanese mustard) and ginger? Yuzu kosho is a condiment made with the Japanese citrus fruit- yuzu, and chili peppers. This yellow-green paste adds a kick to dishes with its fresh citrusy aroma and spicy zing. It is a delicious accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish or roast beef, or simply mix it into the soup of a hotpot.
We had TORIKIN’s signature Mizutaki (Japanese Chicken Hot Pot in which chicken, assorted vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu cooked in a light kombu dashi broth) paired with yuzu kosho along with other types of kosho such oba pepper and yuzu kabosu pepper.
Sukiyaki Sauce
Source: Oita Prefecture
Delicious sukiyaki begins with a great sauce. This special sauce for sukiyaki from Oita Prefecture contains aromatic shiitake dashi (mushroom stock). It can also be used as a sweet soy sauce sauce.
Sukiyaki consists of simple ingredients like meat and vegetables, which are cooked together in one shallow pot. TORIKIN’s Chicken Sukiyaki is more than the protein- chicken and tofu, it packs an assortment of vegetables mushrooms, onions, and leafy greens, complete with slurpable noodles.
Snacks and Sweets
Love matcha and financiers? Go gluten-free with Hojicha Financier and Matcha Financier which are made from 100% rice flour produced in Oita City. Savour the refreshing aftertaste thanks to increased ratio of tea leaves (1.3 times more than the usual amount of tea leaves is used).
Source: Yaseuma Facebook
Bungo Confectionery Yaseuma is a popular award winning souvenir- a rice cake made from special soy bean flour and coated with kinako powder. Its texture is similar to that of a mochi. It is a healthy snack free of preservatives and colourings.
Sake and Beverages
Fermented barley and yuzu sake along with sweet potato beverages are also widely produced in Oita Prefecture. JinJin Barley Shochu is made by atmospheric distillation to bring out the flavour and aroma of barley. Hot spring water that is rich in silica and beauty benefits is used to produce this shochu with a deep aroma and sweet taste.
Yuzu Amazake is made with rice, rice malt, sticky barley and yuzu. No additives/sugar/alcohol is used. Drink it straight, when it is chilled or warm, alternatively, mix with milk or soy milk to make a smoothie! Yuzu Syrup is a refreshing yuzu honey made by adding carbohydrates and honey to 100% yuzu juice. Mix it with cold water or carbonated water to drink.
Sweet Potato Honey is a mellow honey squeezed from aged sweet potatoes. Roasted Sweet Potato/Purple Sweet Potato Latte base is free from pesticide and chemical fertilisers. Mix the latte batte with milk or soy milk and enjoy it iced or warm. For a richer tatse, mix with yogurt and spread on bread like a jam.
About Oita City
Source: Oita City Tourist Navi
Oita City is a vibrant city located on the eastern tip of Kyushu overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, dotted with lush mountains, blue seas and rivers. It boasts a treasure trove of diverse charms spanning from nature attractions, hot springs, bustling shopping district and a variety of local gourmet food including Seki Aji, Seki Mackerel and Oita Fugu grown in the Bungo Channel , as well as Toriten and Ryukyu.
Source: Oita City Tourist Navi
Witness Oita City’s efforts in monkey and nature conservation at the Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden and experience a typical day of the 1,000 wild monkeys.
Source: Oita City Tourist Navi
Access
[From Tokyo Haneda Airport] It takes less than 2 hours to fly to Oita Airport
[From Osaka Itami Airport] It takes about 1 hour to fly to Oita Airport.
[From Oita Airport] It takes about an hour by car or airport bus to reach Oita City. Japan's only hovercraft is also scheduled to be in service.
Where to shop for Oita specialty products
Source: Tokiwa
Tokiwa is a major department store group with 23 outlets located in Oita Prefecture. Tokiwa Honten (flagship store) is located in the heart of Oita City, housing a rooftop beer garden and wide variety of local and international goods.
Location: 2 Chome-1-4 Funaimachi, Oita, 870-8688, Japan
Opening hours: 10.00am - 7.00pm daily
Contact: +81 97-538-1111
Website
Oita Station Souvenir Shop (大分銘品蔵)
Located within Oita JR Station, visitors can find a wide variety of local goods at this souvenir shop, perfect for gifting.
Location: 〒870-0831 Oita, Kanamemachi, 1−40 JR大分駅豊後にわさき市場内
Opening Hours: 7.30am - 9.00pm daily
Contact: +81 97-513-7061
*This article is brought to you in partnership with Oita City.
Enjoyed reading our articles? Check out others below!
Located on the southwestern coast of central Japan, Minabe Town in Wakayama Prefecture is a city known for Japan’s historical health food- ume (Japanese plum), particularly the native Nanko plum variety. In this ume heartland, you can go plum blossom viewing, find many gourmet dishes and sweets made with plums.