Aomori is a popular tourist destination with plenty of attractions, including Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge, and hot springs.
Speaking of Aomori, it is also a treasure trove of B-grade gourmet food.

Among them, the one we'll be focusing on this time is "Hachinohe Senbei Soup"!
Hachinohe Senbei Soup is a popular local dish from Aomori, a hot pot dish that warms both the body and the soul.

From here, we would like to explore the origins, characteristics, and appeal of Hachinohe Senbei Soup, the soul food of Aomori Prefecture residents.

Characteristics of Hachinohe Senbei-jiru

Hachinohe Senbei Soup, a local dish representing Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, is a traditional hot pot dish that has long been loved by locals.

The dish is simmered with local vegetables in a soy sauce-flavored soup based on chicken and pork stock.

The difference between this and other typical hot pot dishes is that, as the name suggests, rice crackers are used as an ingredient in the hot pot.

Although they are called senbei rice crackers, they are different from regular senbei rice crackers and are made using a harder type of rice cracker developed for use in hot pots, so they do not become mushy even when boiled for a while.

That being said, the timing for adding the rice crackers is later on, allowing them to soak up the soup while still retaining a slightly crispy texture, creating an exquisite taste that has many people becoming addicted to it!

Hachinohe Senbei Soup is perfect for the cold season, warms the body, and is a widely loved home-cooked dish. This simple yet deeply flavorful dish is a symbol of the climate and food culture of Hachinohe.

What are Hachinohe Senbei?

The "Hachinohe senbei" used in Hachinohe senbei soup, officially called "Nambu senbei", is a roasted rice cracker unique to the Tohoku region.

While most regular senbei are seasoned with salt or soy sauce, Nanbu senbei are plain and flavorless. They are made mainly from flour, salt, and water, and are baked into round shapes about 10 cm in diameter.

These rice crackers are characterized by their hard, crunchy texture, but when they are placed in Hachinohe Senbei Soup, they absorb the soup and become plump and soft, taking on a unique chewy texture.

In Hachinohe, there are also variations with sesame seeds or peanuts mixed in, which are popular as traditional snacks. Nanbu senbei are delicious as they are, but their appeal is further enhanced when made into senbei soup.

The origins of Hachinohe Senbei-jiru

To begin with, the idea of putting rice crackers in a hot pot is very novel.
So how did Hachinohe Senbei Soup come about?

The roots of senbei soup date back to the Edo period.
During the Tenpo famine, poor farmers were unable to eat rice due to poor harvests.

Meanwhile, in Hachinohe and the surrounding southern region, which was originally not suited to rice cultivation and where buckwheat and wheat were more prevalent than rice, people there made rice crackers, which can be made with just flour, salt, and water, and these were eaten as is or used as an ingredient in hot pot.

In particular, in the winter, in order to supplement nutrition with a few ingredients, cooking meat, vegetables, and rice crackers together became widespread among households. This traditional home-cooked dish became the prototype for today's "Hachinohe Senbei Soup," and is beloved as a local dish of Hachinohe.

Is Hachinohe Senbei Soup the origin of B-class gourmet food?

The B-1 Grand Prix (B-One Grand Prix) has become a familiar event for lovers of cheap, easy-to-eat B-grade gourmet food, but the first event was actually held in 2006, planned and produced by the Hachinohe Senbei-jiru Research Institute.

The Hachinohe Senbei-jiru Research Institute is an organization that works to introduce Hachinohe to the world through Hachinohe Senbei-jiru.

The B-1 Grand Prix has been held 11 times to date, and the team has always placed among the top finishers.

It is a huge achievement that he has made the name of Hachinohe Senbei Soup, a local dish and beloved soul food of the locals, known throughout the country!

Incidentally, Aomori is a treasure trove of B-class gourmet food, and in addition to senbei-jiru, dishes such as Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba and Towada Barayaki have also competed in the B-1 Grand Prix and made it into the top ranks.

Tourist attractions in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture

Hachinohe City is an attractive tourist destination in the southern part of Aomori Prefecture, blessed with rich nature, culture, and fresh seafood. There are many spots dotted around the city where you can experience the unique local scenery and food culture. Here are three recommended tourist spots in Hachinohe City.

Enjoy the fresh bounty of the sea at the morning market "Hachinohe Municipal Fish and Vegetable Market"

The Hachinohe Municipal Fish and Vegetable Market is an essential spot for tourists looking to try local ingredients.

Here you can find a wide selection of fresh seafood, vegetables, and local ingredients, and visitors can enjoy shopping while taking in the vibrancy that only a market can offer.

The "Breakfast Set," which allows you to have the fresh seafood you have just purchased cooked on the spot, is also very popular. You can enjoy a luxurious breakfast made with seafood caught by local fishermen early in the morning.

Kabushima: A paradise for black-tailed gulls and a spectacular panorama

Kabushima is a mysterious cape floating in the Pacific Ocean, known as a breeding population of tens of thousands of black-tailed gulls.

From spring to summer, the sight of these birds flying in the sky is truly spectacular. While admiring the beautiful sight of the black-tailed gulls, why not visit Kabushima Shrine, located at the top of the cape, and pray for blessings in love and business prosperity?

This place where you can experience the fusion of nature and culture is well worth a visit.

Tanesashi Coast: A breathtakingly beautiful spot

Tanesashi Coast is a spectacular spot where the majestic Pacific Ocean and lush green grass blend beautifully together.

At the Tanesashi Natural Lawn, you can spend a relaxing time feeling the ocean breeze.

There is also a promenade where you can take a leisurely stroll along the coastline and soak up the beauty of nature. This coast, which changes with the seasons, is a place where you will find something new every time you visit.

Access to Aomori

Access by plane

There are direct flights to Aomori Airport from both within Japan and overseas.
There are direct flights to Misawa Airport from Haneda, Itami, and Okadama airports.
From Aomori Airport, you can travel to Aomori city center by JR train or bus.

Access by Shinkansen

You can travel from Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen "Hayabusa" in approximately three and a half hours.
From other areas, we recommend flying.

Express bus

It operates from Tokyo, Sendai and Morioka.

Location of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture

summary

This time, we will be focusing on the origins and characteristics of Hachinohe Senbei Soup, a B-class gourmet food from Aomori.

Nanbu senbei are simple and delicious when eaten as is, but the chewy texture of the rice crackers in rice cracker soup is also addictive. If you are traveling to Aomori, be sure to try the local soul food, Hachinohe senbei soup.

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