The most popular chikuwa in Nagano Prefecture is the “Vitamin Chikuwa.” This was a great value chikuwa that contained the protein, vitamins, and salt of precious ocean fish.
The mysterious “vitamin chikuwa”ビタミンちくわ
Among the many chikuwa products on the market, Vitamin Chikuwa has monopolized the love of chikuwa among Nagano residents!
Vitamin Chikuwa is a healthy nutritional functional food.
In Nagano, it is usually eaten cooked as it is thought of as raw fish.
Chikuwa is made by steaming or grilling fish paste. It is cooked during the manufacturing process, so it can be enjoyed as is.
Vitamin chikuwa is used in a variety of dishes, including curry, and with a creative recipe it can even be transformed into “broiled eel.”
Even though it’s so beloved in Nagano, it’s actually manufactured in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Although it’s manufactured in Ishikawa Prefecture, about 70% of Vitamin Chikuwa produced is eaten in Nagano Prefecture.
Grilled eel chikuwa is a classic recipe that is often served in school lunches.
Product of Sugiyo Co., Ltd.
＜Annual chikuwa expenditure＞ 2022-2024
1st place: Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, 3,327 yen
2nd place: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, 3,044 yen
3rd place: Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, 2,946 yen
4th place: Saga City, Saga Prefecture, 2,547 yen
5th place: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 2,460 yen
6th place: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, 2,401 yen
7th place: Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, 2,378 yen
8th place: Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, 2,319 yen
9th place: Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, 2,285 yen
＜A story by Yumi Mizukoshi, Public Relations Manager at Sugiyo Co., Ltd.＞
Approximately 70% of Vitamin Chikuwa produced is consumed in Nagano Prefecture.
70% is consumed in Nagano Prefecture, as well as Ishikawa, Fukui, Toyama, Niigata, and other areas.
Nagano Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture, so chikuwa made from fish is a valuable source of marine protein.
To ensure safe delivery to Nagano Prefecture, salt was stuffed into the holes in the chikuwa before transporting it.
As a result, it became popular as a good deal that also contained valuable salt.
When it was first released in 1952, it used shark liver oil, which is rich in vitamins.
After the war, it became a big hit in Nagano Prefecture as it provided fish protein, vitamins, and salt.
(END.)
Nowadays, transportation is safe and sterilization with salt is no longer required, so salt is no longer included, but the love for Vitamin Chikuwa remains deeply rooted.
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