Hittsumi

One of Iwates signature country dishes, hittsumi is a soup made by pinching thin pieces of kneaded wheat dough by hand and simmering them in broth with vegetables and chicken. The name is said to come from a local word meaning to pinch and tear, and its simple yet deeply nourishing flavor has long sustained people living in this cold region. That each household uses different ingredients and seasonings is part of the dishs warmth.

Highlights

The appeal of hittsumi lies in the harmony between the chewy texture of the dough and a broth infused with the savor of its ingredients. Torn by hand, the pieces are irregular, and because each has a different thickness you enjoy a slightly different texture with every bite. Loaded with burdock, carrot, mushrooms, and chicken, its warm soy based broth soaks into your body. Simple but full of nourishment, it is a soothing taste of the countryside.

Enjoying the Seasons

As a warm soup, hittsumi truly comes into its own in the cold season. In the deep snows of winter, gathering around a steaming pot of hittsumi warms you to the core. Using plenty of seasonal root vegetables and mushrooms means the flavor changes with the time of year. In autumn you can enjoy freshly harvested vegetables and in winter ingredients that keep well, so the bowl always stays close to the season.

Access and Basic Information

Hittsumi can be enjoyed at country cooking restaurants and diners throughout Iwate, starting with Morioka. Some shops around Morioka Station serve it, so it is easy to drop in during your travels. It is often offered as one dish in a set meal, which is a welcome way to experience this local home style flavor without any fuss.

A Quick Tip

Hittsumi is a dish where the ingredients and broth take center stage. First taste a spoonful of the soup and feel its gentle savoriness. The chewy dough is at its best while piping hot, so enjoy it with the rising steam. Precisely because the flavor is so unassuming, it is a bowl that quietly eases the fatigue of travel.