Fugu is a high-class fish known as a treat for special occasions. A hot pot dish that allows you to enjoy fugu in a luxurious way is the popular Osaka dish "Tecchiri." Nationwide, it is known as "Fugu Chiri" or "Fugu Nabe."

Let's explore the characteristics and history of tetchiri.

Characteristics of Tetchiri

Tetchiri is a luxurious hot pot dish that combines puffer fish and vegetables in kelp stock. The kelp stock is taken, the flavor is further enhanced with puffer fish bones, and ingredients such as Chinese cabbage and shiitake mushrooms are added and simmered to complete the dish. You can enjoy the firm texture of the puffer fish and the elegant taste of the vegetables.

When eaten with ponzu, the fat of the fugu is lighter, and the flavor is further enhanced when it is served with grated momiji oroshi and yuzu pepper. The elastic texture and light, refined flavor of the fugu meat go perfectly with the sourness of the ponzu.

For the final dish, rice porridge made with fugu stock is excellent. It will warm you from the inside out and fill your heart.

Fugu is high in protein, low in calories, and rich in collagen, making it attractive for its beauty and health benefits.

The history of tetchiri

Fugu, the fish used in tetchiri, has been eaten since the Jomon period. Fugu bones have been found in ruins, proving that people at the time also enjoyed eating it. However, because the correct cooking method for poisonous fugu had not been established, many people lost their lives. For this reason, Toyotomi Hideyoshi banned the consumption of fugu, and this ban continued into the Edo period.

The ban on fugu cuisine was first lifted in 1888 in Yamaguchi Prefecture. It all started when the first Prime Minister of Japan, Ito Hirobumi, tried fugu cuisine and praised its deliciousness. This led to the ban on fugu being lifted in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and Osaka City also revised its ordinance to allow the consumption of fugu. At the time, fugu was not as high-class a fish as it is today, and was widely enjoyed by ordinary people.

After the ban was lifted, various dishes using fugu appeared in Osaka. Among them, "Fugu soup" was particularly popular. This dish, which enjoys the firm flesh of fugu with broth extracted from the head of the fish, was highly praised for its deliciousness. Later, vegetables and udon noodles were added to the soup, which gradually evolved into "Fugu Nabe" and came to be called "Tecchiri."

The origin of the name Tetchiri

There are several theories about the origin of the name "Tetchiri."

In Osaka, fugu was called "teppo (gun)." This was because, like a bullet from a gun, if you are hit by the poison of fugu, you will die. This "teppo" changed to "tetchiri." The "chiri" in "tetchiri" is an abbreviation of "chiri nabe," which is a hotpot made with fillets of white fish and vegetables.

Another theory is that the word "tetchiri" was used as an abbreviation for people to enjoy fugu secretly during the Edo period, when eating fugu was prohibited. It is also said that the name was derived from a famous fugu restaurant in Osaka called "Tetsupo."

Osaka tourist information

Osaka, one of the largest cities in the Kansai region, has many tourist attractions. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots.

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan is a Hollywood movie-themed theme park with a wide variety of attractions, rides, seasonal events and shows.

Both adults and children can lose track of time as they become absorbed in the park. It is popular and gets particularly crowded on holidays, but there is also a "Universal Express Pass" that can shorten the waiting time for attractions. There are also limited-time events such as Christmas and Halloween, making it a dream theme park that you will want to visit again and again.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

"Kaiyukan" is an aquarium that has one of the world's largest tanks where whale sharks can swim freely. In this magnificent 8-story aquarium, you will be greeted by the tunnel-shaped "Aqua Gate" where you can observe various fish as if you were walking through the ocean. You will have a mysterious experience surrounded by colorful fish such as blue and yellow fish and large shrimp.

This is a popular aquarium where you can enjoy a fantastical space. There is also a "New Experience Area" where you can interact with seals, and the sea creatures are soothing.

Expo Memorial Park

Expo '70 Commemorative Park is a cultural park built on the site of Asia's first World Expo, which was held in 1970 with the theme of human progress and harmony.

The Tower of the Sun, designed by artist Taro Okamoto, has an overwhelming presence, and if you make a reservation by the day before, you can tour the inside. Currently, there is also a Natural and Cultural Garden where you can enjoy nature, a Japanese garden area, and the National Museum of Ethnology.

There are also a variety of leisure facilities, including one of the world's largest athletic towers, "Expo Beast," the forest aerial observation walkway, "Solado," a gigantic three-dimensional athletic maze, and more, all of which are extremely popular with children.

How to get to Osaka

There are various ways to get to Osaka. If you are travelling by plane, Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) is popular as it has many domestic flights and has excellent access to Osaka city. If you are heading from Itami Airport to Osaka city, we recommend using a limousine bus. The travel time and fare of the limousine bus may be subject to change.

Limousine buses heading to Osaka city depart every 10 to 15 minutes. The fare to Osaka Station (Umeda Station), Namba Station, and Abenobashi Station (Tennoji Station) is 650 yen for adults and 330 yen for children. It is convenient because you can choose from pick-up and drop-off locations around Osaka Station, such as Osaka Marubiru, New Hankyu Hotel, Herbis Osaka, and Hotel Hanshin.

There is also a direct limousine bus to Universal Studios Japan. The fare is 940 yen for adults and 470 yen for children. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Universal Studios Japan. (As of September 2024)

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Osaka. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Osaka Prefecture

summary

"Tecchiri" is a representative local B-class gourmet food of Osaka, and is loved by many people. Made with plump fugu and kelp stock, this luxurious "Tecchiri" is the perfect hot pot dish to warm you up during the cold season. One of the pleasures is finishing off the meal with rice porridge, which is packed with the delicious flavor of fugu.

If you visit Osaka, be sure to try tetchiri.

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