This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Miyagi Prefecture's local B-class gourmet dish, "Seri Nabe"!

Miyagi Prefecture is a prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan, and is an area where history and modernity blend together. There are many scenic spots, such as Matsushima, one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan, and the city of Forests, with its lush, green streets.

It is also famous as a hot spring resort, where you can enjoy a relaxing time at Akiu Onsen and Naruko Onsen.

Furthermore, local gourmet food includes excellent fresh seafood, Sendai beef, and the specialty beef tongue.

This time, we will be giving a thorough explanation of "Seri Nabe," a local B-class gourmet dish from Miyagi Prefecture, which has it all - nature, history, and food!

What is Seri Nabe?

Seri nabe is a winter local dish representative of Miyagi Prefecture, and is especially popular in Sendai. This hot pot dish features "seri," a vegetable with a unique flavor and texture. Seri is a vegetable with a crunchy texture, and you can enjoy every part of it, from the roots, stems, and leaves.

Other than parsley, it is common to add chicken or duck meat, green onions, tofu, and mushrooms, and the soup stock is often simple and soy sauce-based, bringing out the flavor of the ingredients.

The parsley is added to the pot just before serving and quickly cooked to bring out its aroma and texture. Parsley hotpot is popular with both locals and tourists alike, as it warms the body during the cold winter months and allows you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the vegetable.

The history of Japanese parsley hotpot

The history of Japanese parsley hotpot is short, and it is said to have only become popular in modern times. Japanese parsley itself is a plant that has grown wild in Japan since ancient times, and was already being used as a medicinal herb and food ingredient during the Heian period. Japanese parsley cultivation is particularly popular in Miyagi Prefecture, and it became a popular local specialty during the Edo period.

It was only in relatively recent times that parsley hotpot became popular among the common people. Hotpot dishes using plenty of fresh parsley gained attention as a healthy food during the harsh cold of winter, and became popular as hotpot dishes that added chicken or duck meat. The use of the whole parsley, from root to stem and leaf, symbolizes the traditional Tohoku food culture of making the most of ingredients without waste.

In this way, seri nabe is rooted in the traditional agricultural culture of the Tohoku region, centered around Miyagi Prefecture.

Characteristics of Seri Nabe

The distinctive feature of seri nabe is that it uses "Sendai seri" harvested in Miyagi Prefecture.

Watercress has a crunchy texture and a unique aroma, and the root, stem, and leaves can all be used in hot pot.

It is common to simmer chicken or duck meat, vegetables, tofu, etc. in soup stock, then add parsley at the end and lightly cook it.

The roots of parsley have a particularly crunchy texture and sweetness, and go well with any ingredients. They warm you to the core, making them perfect for Miyagi Prefecture, where winters are extremely cold.

Tourist spots in Miyagi Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some tourist spots in Miyagi Prefecture.

Lake Izu

Izunuma is a lake that straddles Kurihara City and Tome City in Miyagi Prefecture, and is an internationally important wetland registered under the Ramsar Convention. It covers an area of about 4 square kilometers, and is surrounded by inner swamps and other areas.

The biggest feature of Izunuma is the tens of thousands of migratory birds, such as geese and swans, that arrive there in winter. You can enjoy watching many kinds of birds gracefully swimming through the sky.

Another attraction is the fields of lotus flowers in full bloom in the summer. The area is rich in natural environment and ecosystem conservation, and is a tourist spot where you can enjoy the scenery of each season.

Ishinomori Manga Museum

Ishinomori Manga Museum is a museum in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture that celebrates and exhibits the works and achievements of manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori.

Some of Shotaro Ishinomori's most famous works include "Kamen Rider" and "Cyborg 009," and at the Manga Museum you can enjoy exhibits and original drawings related to these works.

The exterior of the building has a unique spaceship-like design, and inside there are plenty of interactive exhibits and videos.

Special exhibitions and workshops are also held here, making it a popular spot that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Tashiro Island

Tashirojima is a small island located in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. Its biggest feature is that there are more cats than residents on the island, which is why it is known as the "Cat Island."

It is a mecca for cat lovers, where you can see cats relaxing all over the island.

Tashirojima has long been an island with a thriving fishing industry, and cats have long been regarded as the guardian deities of fishing and have been cherished. There is also a cat shrine on the island, "Cat Shrine," which is popular with tourists.

Although the population is declining, the cats have become a tourist attraction and the number of visitors continues to grow. Tashirojima is a relaxing spot where you can enjoy interacting with cats in a laid-back atmosphere.

Access to Miyagi Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Miyagi Prefecture.

To get from Tokyo to Miyagi Prefecture, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to get from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station directly. There are many trains running, so it's very convenient.

The best way to get to Miyagi Prefecture from Osaka is by plane. A direct flight from Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport to Sendai Airport takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Location of Miyagi Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the history and characteristics of Miyagi Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Seri Nabe."

This hot pot uses parsley, an ingredient found in Miyagi Prefecture, and we can see that it is the perfect local dish for Miyagi Prefecture, where cold winters come.

In addition to seri nabe, there are plenty of other delicious gourmet foods and tourist spots that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so be sure to visit Miyagi Prefecture!

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