Harihari-nabe

Hari-hari nabe is a traditional hot pot dish from the Kansai region, particularly popular in Osaka. This comforting meal combines minke whale meat and mizuna, a type of Japanese mustard green. The name "harihari" is inspired by the crunchy sound mizuna makes when chewed.

Historically, this dish was prepared using fatty whale meat known as irigara. Whaling was a significant industry in Japan, making whale meat abundant and inexpensive, thus making hari-hari nabe a staple meal for many. However, as commercial whaling declined, people began substituting other meats like pork or duck in its place.

There are numerous variations of hari-hari nabe, each influenced by local tastes and the availability of ingredients. For instance, replacing whale meat with fried tofu (aburaage) transforms the dish into kitsune nabe. In some regions, horse meat serves as a substitute. Additionally, you may encounter versions with added ingredients like mushrooms or tofu, enhancing both flavor and texture.