Kamo Nabe

Kamo nabe is a winter home style dish of the northern lake region, simmering wild mallard that flies in to Lake Biwa from Siberia together with vegetables and tofu. Chosen for the Ministry of Agricultures list of one hundred local dishes, it is a signature hot pot of Shiga.

Highlights

The meat of the wild mallard is firm, and its fat carries an elegant sweetness and deep richness. Combined with local vegetables such as green onion and mizuna, the pot simmered in broth infused with duck umami is exceptional, right down to the closing rice porridge.

Enjoying the Seasons

It is in season from late autumn into winter when the ducks arrive. Visiting the northern lake in the cold season to gather around a warm kamo nabe is a luxury unique to this land. It is all the finer enjoyed by a snow covered Lake Biwa shore.

Access and Basic Information

It is served in winter at restaurants and inns in the Kohoku area of Nagahama. From JR Nagahama Station, reach the northern lakeside by bus or rental car.

A Quick Tip

Do not overcook the duck. A quick simmer is the trick to keeping it tender.