Kagoshima Satsuma-jiru
Satsuma-jiru is a substantial Kagoshima soup of chicken, daikon, burdock, taro, carrot, shiitake and konnyaku finished with barley miso. Despite the name, sweet potato is not required. Older...
At a glance
| Name | Kagoshima Satsuma-jiru (Satsuma-jiru) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Kagoshima |
| Region | Kyushu & Okinawa |
| Type | chicken and root-vegetable miso soup |
What is it?
Satsuma-jiru is a substantial Kagoshima soup of chicken, daikon, burdock, taro, carrot, shiitake and konnyaku finished with barley miso. Despite the name, sweet potato is not required.
Older versions use chopped bone-in chicken, while home and school recipes often use small pieces of thigh. Chicken stock, sweet roots and mellow barley miso make one bowl nearly a main course.
History and local context
Official Kagoshima tourism links the soup to local customs of cooking chicken and preserves a story about birds from samurai cockfights. This is useful cultural tradition but not a single proven point of invention.
It is different from Iyo satsuma in Ehime, where grilled fish and barley miso are thinned with stock and poured over rice. Kagoshima satsuma-jiru is a chicken-and-vegetable miso soup.
How to enjoy it
Scoop chicken, roots and broth together and eat it with rice. Ginger or green onion balances the naturally sweet barley miso.
Watch for small bones when bone-in chicken is used. Chill leftovers promptly and reheat the whole pot thoroughly.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kagoshima Satsuma-jiru from?
It is associated with Kagoshima, in the Kyushu & Okinawa region of Japan.
What kind of food is Kagoshima Satsuma-jiru?
This guide classifies it as chicken and root-vegetable miso soup. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Kagoshima Satsuma-jiru 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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