Hittsumi Hand-Pinched Noodle Soup
Hittsumi is an Iwate flour dish made by resting a wheat-and-water dough, stretching it thin by hand, pinching off irregular pieces and simmering them with chicken, roots and mushrooms. The...
At a glance
| Name | Hittsumi Hand-Pinched Noodle Soup (Hittsumi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Iwate |
| Region | Hokkaido & Tohoku |
| Type | Iwate soup with hand-stretched flour pieces |
What is it?
Hittsumi is an Iwate flour dish made by resting a wheat-and-water dough, stretching it thin by hand, pinching off irregular pieces and simmering them with chicken, roots and mushrooms. The pieces are flat-edged patches, not round dumplings.
It resembles suiton, but the action expressed in its name is central: hittsumu means to pull and pinch. Related wheat dishes and names extend into the former Nanbu cultural area of southern Aomori.
History and local context
Iwate's official account connects the name to local speech for pulling off a piece. Resting a soft, earlobe-firm dough lets it stretch thinly over the pot.
Broth may use chicken, dried fish or river fish, with burdock, daikon, carrot, mushrooms and leek. Names such as totte-nage and hatto show a family of regional flour foods rather than one immutable recipe.
How to enjoy it
Taste a piece that shows both a thin rim and thicker center, then eat it with the root-vegetable broth. A little shichimi can be added after the first bites.
At home, rest the kneaded dough for one to two hours, stretch wet-fingered pieces into a seasoned simmering broth and cook until they float and the center is done.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hittsumi Hand-Pinched Noodle Soup from?
It is associated with Iwate, in the Hokkaido & Tohoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Hittsumi Hand-Pinched Noodle Soup?
This guide classifies it as iwate soup with hand-stretched flour pieces. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Hittsumi Hand-Pinched Noodle 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
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