Ichigoni: Uni and Abalone Soup
Ichigoni is a clear, lightly salted soup of sea urchin and abalone from the coastal area around Hachinohe City and Hashikami Town in Aomori. It contains no strawberries; orange-colored uni...
At a glance
| Name | Ichigoni: Uni and Abalone Soup (Ichigoni) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Aomori |
| Region | Hokkaido & Tohoku |
| Type | Clear coastal soup with sea urchin and abalone |
What is it?
Ichigoni is a clear, lightly salted soup of sea urchin and abalone from the coastal area around Hachinohe City and Hashikami Town in Aomori. It contains no strawberries; orange-colored uni in pale sea broth was likened to wild berries seen through morning mist.
Soft sweet uni, resilient slices of abalone, ocean aroma, and green shiso define the bowl. Once fishermen's shore food, it is now served for celebrations and preserved in cans as a regional gift.
History and local context
Aomori Prefecture identifies it as a dish of Hashikami Town, once eaten in fishing households and now reserved for auspicious meals. Accounts also describe the rustic shore preparation being refined into restaurant soup in the Taisho period.
The shellfish is cooked only briefly in restrained stock seasoned with salt, sake, and a trace of soy sauce. Prolonged boiling hardens abalone and destroys the uni's shape and aroma.
How to enjoy it
Smell the shiso and sea first, sip the broth, then taste uni and abalone. Avoid adding strong seasoning that hides the shellfish.
Warm canned ichigoni gently or use the whole can for seasoned rice, reducing additional soy sauce. Check whether a can contains abalone, scallop, or a combination.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ichigoni: Uni and Abalone Soup from?
It is associated with Aomori, in the Hokkaido & Tohoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Ichigoni: Uni and Abalone Soup?
This guide classifies it as clear coastal soup with sea urchin and abalone. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Ichigoni: Uni and Abalone Soup 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.
This section contains an advertising affiliate link to Rakuten Japan.