FOODS - delicious foods and local dishes in Fukushima -

Imoni

“Imoni” is a typical autumn dish in Fukushima. It means, “Cooked potatoes”. It’s a dish with many ingredients. We use taros, carrots, white radishes, mushrooms, devil's tongue, meat and so on. We boil them in a big pan on a bonfire. “Imoni” is a very nutritious and delicious dish. Most of the ingredients are harvested in autumn. At the time of “Imoni”, we feel the spirit of autumn. “Imoni” is a popular dish in Tohoku-district especially in Yamagata. There is a big “Imoni” event there. They use very big iron pot and use a crane instead of the usual pan and ladle. Yamagata’s “Imoni” tastes like soy sauce. But in Fukushima, we don’t use a crane and backhoe!!! and our Imoni tastes like soybean paste. We enjoy cooking “Imoni” outdoors with many people. We call it “Imoni-party” or “Imoni-kai”. “Imoni-kai” is an outdoor party at which people cook “Imoni”. “Imoni-kai” is usually held on a river side or field. Friends and family get together to have “Imoni-kai”. “Imoni-kai” is similar to a barbecue party. “Imoni-kai” is held to strengthen friendships.