Kitaura Obaike Nuta
Kitaura nuta pairs blanched wakegi scallion with obaike, the salted and parboiled skin-and-fat layer near a whale's tail, and dresses them with white miso, vinegar, sugar, and mustard. Sweet...
At a glance
| Name | Kitaura Obaike Nuta (Nuta) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Yamaguchi |
| Region | Chugoku |
| Type | Whale-skin and scallion salad with mustard vinegared miso |
What is it?
Kitaura nuta pairs blanched wakegi scallion with obaike, the salted and parboiled skin-and-fat layer near a whale's tail, and dresses them with white miso, vinegar, sugar, and mustard. Sweet scallion and crisp-chewy whale are characteristic of northern Yamaguchi.
Nuta exists throughout Japan, but Kitaura's version reflects the region's whaling history and whole-carcass use. Hagi also calls it negi-ae, and households may replace obaike with squid, octopus, shellfish, horse mackerel, or konnyaku.
History and local context
Yamaguchi food-education recipes document scallion nuta with seafood, and prefectural material specifically lists obaike among its ingredients. The form survives even where whale is hard to obtain.
Obaike is a commercially prepared whale product, not raw whale meat to process casually at home. Use a legal food product and follow its desalting and parboiling instructions.
How to enjoy it
Dress scallion and obaike immediately before serving so the scallion does not water down the sauce. Take small bites of the chewy obaike, add mustard gradually, and pair it with rice or sake. Check whale, soy, possible wheat, and salt.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kitaura Obaike Nuta from?
It is associated with Yamaguchi, in the Chugoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Kitaura Obaike Nuta?
This guide classifies it as whale-skin and scallion salad with mustard vinegared miso. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Kitaura Obaike Nuta 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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