Aizu Basashi with Spicy Garlic Miso
Aizu basashi serves thin chilled slices of lean red horse meat with soy sauce into which a spicy garlic-and-chili miso is dissolved. Horse meat is also called sakura-niku for its red color...
At a glance
| Name | Aizu Basashi with Spicy Garlic Miso (Aizu Basashi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Fukushima |
| Region | Hokkaido & Tohoku |
| Type | Lean raw horse slices eaten with soy sauce and karashi-ninniku miso |
What is it?
Aizu basashi serves thin chilled slices of lean red horse meat with soy sauce into which a spicy garlic-and-chili miso is dissolved. Horse meat is also called sakura-niku for its red color.
The lean cut and assertive karashi-ninniku miso distinguish the representative Aizu presentation from the wider range of cuts and sweet-soy accompaniments associated with Kumamoto.
History and local context
Fukushima Prefecture presents basashi as an everyday Aizu food sold even in supermarkets and identifies the spicy garlic miso as its hallmark. Thigh, loin and other cuts occur, so color, thickness and miso vary by shop.
Raw horse carries microbial and Sarcocystis fayeri parasite risks. Freshness alone cannot make it safe; use only meat labeled and managed for raw consumption, including required freezing controls.
How to enjoy it
Taste one cold lean slice before dissolving a little spicy miso into soy sauce, then increase it gradually rather than masking the meat.
Keep the cold chain, follow thawing and use-by instructions, and never substitute meat labeled for cooking. Children, pregnant people, older adults and immunocompromised diners should choose thoroughly cooked horse meat.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Aizu Basashi with Spicy Garlic Miso from?
It is associated with Fukushima, in the Hokkaido & Tohoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Aizu Basashi with Spicy Garlic Miso?
This guide classifies it as lean raw horse slices eaten with soy sauce and karashi-ninniku miso. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Aizu Basashi with Spicy Garlic Miso online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
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