Himeji Oden

Himeji oden is a local specialty of Himeji in Hyogo, in which simmered oden is dipped in ginger soy sauce before eating. Pairing the dashi-soaked ingredients with soy sauce flavored by grated ginger adds a bright, gently piquant note. It is a home-style taste long cherished in the castle town that surrounds the World Heritage Himeji Castle.

Highlights

The defining feature of Himeji oden is, of course, the ginger soy sauce style of eating it. The aroma of ginger layered over the savory dashi gives a refreshing finish that keeps you reaching for more. Standard ingredients such as daikon, beef tendon, egg, and konjac take on a different character than usual, which is part of the fun.

Enjoying the Seasons

Warm oden truly comes into its own in the cold season. In winter Himeji, gathering around steaming oden at a castle-town izakaya or diner is a special pleasure. Yet thanks to the refreshing ginger, it never feels too heavy even in summer, giving Himeji oden a year-round appeal.

Access and Basic Information

Izakaya and specialty shops serving Himeji oden are scattered around Himeji Station on the JR and Sanyo lines. Easy to combine with a visit to Himeji Castle, it can also be enjoyed in the station basement and shopping arcades. Many shops keep ginger soy sauce on the table so you can adjust the amount to taste.

A Quick Tip

Start with ingredients that soak up plenty of dashi, such as daikon or egg, to test how well they pair with the ginger soy sauce. Matched with local sake, it makes a Harima evening all the richer.