Shimotsukare
Shimotsukare combines daikon and carrot grated on a coarse oni-oroshi with New Year salted-salmon head, Setsubun roasted soybeans, fried tofu and sake lees. Its visible pieces and loose...
At a glance
| Name | Shimotsukare (Shimotsukare) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Tochigi |
| Region | Kanto |
| Type | Tochigi's Hatsu-uma simmer of coarsely grated roots, salmon, beans and sake lees |
What is it?
Shimotsukare combines daikon and carrot grated on a coarse oni-oroshi with New Year salted-salmon head, Setsubun roasted soybeans, fried tofu and sake lees. Its visible pieces and loose, stewed texture are intentional.
It is traditionally offered with sekihan at Inari shrines on Hatsu-uma in February to pray for health. Related names and versions also occur in neighboring prefectures.
History and local context
The dish connects several winter observances by using stored roots, the remaining salmon head and roasted beans. Sake-lees strength, seasoning and even the use of salmon vary greatly by household.
A saying about eating shimotsukare from seven homes is folklore, not a medical guarantee.
How to enjoy it
Serve a small bowl warm or cool and scoop root vegetables, beans and salmon together; sekihan shows its ceremonial pairing.
Watch for fish bones. People avoiding alcohol should remember that sake lees may retain alcohol depending on cooking.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Shimotsukare from?
It is associated with Tochigi, in the Kanto region of Japan.
What kind of food is Shimotsukare?
This guide classifies it as tochigi's hatsu-uma simmer of coarsely grated roots, salmon, beans and sake lees. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Shimotsukare 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.