Protected local food
Owani Onsen Moyashi
大鰐温泉もやし
Long, thin bean sprouts grown in soil warmed with hot spring water in Owani, Aomori. A Tsugaru tradition since the Edo era: crisp, sweet and savoury.
Key facts
- Registered as a protected name
- 30 March 2020
- Region
- Tohoku
- Official name in Japanese
- 大鰐温泉もやし
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 青森県南津軽郡大鰐町
Grown with hot spring heat
Owani, in southern Aomori, is a hot spring town in deep snow country. Since the Edo era, growers have used the heat and water of the springs to raise bean sprouts in soil through the winter, a precious fresh vegetable in the snowy months. Each batch grows for about a week.
Long and thin
The sprouts are over 30 cm long and less than half as thick as ordinary soybean sprouts. They are crisp, with more alanine, an amino acid that tastes sweet and savoury, than regular sprouts. The method has passed down within growing families.
How to eat it
Stir-fry them quickly, add them to ramen or hot pots, or blanch them and dress with soy sauce. Keep the crunch.
Good to know
- Owani Onsen is a short train ride from Hirosaki. Try the sprouts at local restaurants after a soak.
- In Aomori, also try Tsuruta Steuben grapes and Aomori Black Garlic.
Questions travellers ask
Why are they grown with hot spring water?
The spring water warms the soil and is used for watering and washing, so sprouts grow even in a snowy winter.
Where is Owani?
A hot spring town in southern Aomori Prefecture, near Hirosaki.
Where it comes from
More protected foods from the same area
Crafts from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.