Kiritanpo (Grilled rice skewers for hot pot)
A beloved Akita hot pot, rich with umami and the aroma of charcoal-grilled rice

About Kiritanpo (Grilled rice skewers for hot pot)

Kiritanpo nabe is a traditional local dish from Akita Prefecture. It is made with tanpo—cooked non-glutinous rice that is mashed, wrapped around the end of a cedar stick, and grilled—then simmered with chicken and vegetables. There are several accounts of its origins, but it is said to have begun in northern Akita, around the cities of Odate and Kazuno. According to one story, people who worked in the mountains making charcoal or logging put leftover rice on sticks, grilled it, and added it to a chicken hot pot.

The name tanpo comes from its resemblance to a tanpo (短穂), a protective cover for the tip of a spear. It came to be called kiritanpo because the grilled rice is cut into bite-sized pieces before being added to a hot pot. Locally, it is simmered in chicken-stock broth or grilled with miso.

Common ingredients in kiritanpo nabe include Hinai-jidori chicken, burdock root, Japanese leeks, Japanese parsley, maitake mushrooms, and shirataki noodles. Hinai-jidori is a locally raised chicken from Akita Prefecture, prized for its fine-textured fat and its pairing with tanpo.

Chicken is high in protein and contains B vitamins, which are said to help with recovery from fatigue and support muscle strength. Burdock root is rich in dietary fiber and may help maintain a healthy gut environment. Japanese parsley contains vitamins A and C, which are associated with immune support and antioxidant effects.

Kiritanpo nabe pairs well with sake from Akita Prefecture. In particular, a clean, dry sake can bring out the savory flavors of the chicken and vegetables and add depth to the hot pot.

Akita Prefecture hosts annual events such as the Honba Odate Kiritanpo Festival and the Kiritanpo Origin Festival, which are popular with local residents and visitors. At these festivals, visitors can try making kiritanpo and enjoy freshly prepared kiritanpo nabe, offering a chance to experience Akita’s food culture.

When visiting Akita, try authentic kiritanpo nabe with local sake and experience this traditional food culture.

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