Kappo Chicken
A must-serve dish during Takachiho’s traditional night kagura festivities

About Kappo Chicken

Takachiho, a town in Miyazaki Prefecture known for its myths and legends, is home to a unique dish called Kappo Chicken (かっぽ鶏, Kappo-dori). In this region, bamboo is referred to as "kappo," derived from the sound "kappo-kappo," which is said to mimic the noise of pouring water from bamboo. Traditionally, locals used bamboo for cooking and as containers for tea or water. Over time, this practice evolved into the creation of Kappo Chicken, a dish utilizing bamboo as a cooking vessel.

To make Kappo Chicken, a segment of bamboo is hollowed out, leaving natural ends intact to create a sealed container. This hollowed bamboo is filled with seasoned chicken, vegetables, and other ingredients, then covered with the removed piece like a lid. The bamboo is placed over an open flame, allowing the contents to gently steam inside. As the dish cooks, the natural oils and aroma from the bamboo infuse into the ingredients, creating a delicate and distinctive flavor. Fresh young bamboo, about a year old, is preferred for its ability to release flavorful extracts, further enhancing the dish.

While the core elements of this dish involve using bamboo and chicken, the choice of vegetables, seasoning, and additional ingredients is entirely flexible. It's also a celebration of Takachiho’s lush, bamboo-rich landscape, offering both flavor and a connection to nature.

**[When It’s Enjoyed]**
Kappo Chicken is often served at local festivals and events, originally rooted in the practical meals prepared during forestry or fieldwork. In earlier times, workers would gather fresh spring water from mountain streams, brew tea with wild tea leaves, and warm it over a fire. Inspired by the pleasant aroma and nutritional benefits of bamboo, this practice gradually evolved into steaming local free-range chicken, mushrooms, carrots, and other regional produce inside bamboo tubes. Today, Kappo Chicken remains a special culinary tradition, combining heritage, flavor, and community spirit.

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