Ever tried boiled eggs, daikon, and fish cakes swimming in umami-rich broth? That’s oden—and it’s love at first slurp. Oden is a classic Japanese comfort food, especially loved during the chilly winter months. With its shimmering dashi broth and hearty ingredients like tofu, root vegetables, and savory fish cakes, it’s both nourishing and soul-warming. Whether you’re strolling through Tokyo or exploring a quiet town, you’ll find oden simmering away in convenience stores and izakayas alike. If you’re visiting Japan in winter, this humble dish is an absolute must-try. So grab your chopsticks—let’s dive into the delicious world of Japanese winter food!
🌸 What Is Oden?
Oden is usually served in a large clay pot called a donabe (土鍋 in Japanese), filled with a clear, shimmering broth made from savory dashi. Inside, you’ll find big, bold ingredients that soak up the flavor beautifully:
- Daikon (Japanese white radish): tender and juicy, packed with dashi flavor
- Boiled egg: simple but comforting, with a golden hue from the broth
- Konjac: jelly-like, low in calories, and delightfully chewy
- Chikuwa or Hanpen: types of fish cakes, soft and rich in protein, each with its own texture
- Tofu: extremely soft and perfect for absorbing the broth
Oden is all about enjoying how each ingredient transforms in the broth. It’s often served with karashi (Japanese mustard), adding a spicy kick that balances the gentle flavors.
Unlike Japanese hot pot dishes, which are filled with vegetables and rich soup, oden focuses on large, distinct ingredients and a light, elegant broth.
🏪 Where to Find Oden
During the winter season, many restaurants across Japan serve oden, and of course, it’s a popular homemade dish too. Slowly simmered for hours in a large clay pot, oden warms both the body and the heart. When served, the big, flavorful ingredients are placed on a plate—still piping hot, so be careful when you take your first bite!
But here’s the fun part: in winter, even konbini (Japan’s super convenient convenience stores) offer oden! You’ll spot it simmering in a big pot near the cashier, and the savory aroma is impossible to resist.
So… how do you order it?
Don’t worry—you don’t serve yourself! Just say to the cashier: “Oden kudasai.” (It means “Can I have oden?”)
Then, choose your ingredients. If you don’t know the Japanese names, simply point to the ones you want—with a smile! Japanese cashiers are friendly and polite, and they’ll be happy to help. Just remember: never touch the oden yourself—it’s part of the respectful konbini culture.
I’ve written my article about homemade oden on my blog. Could you check it for me?
🍢+🍺 The Perfect Pairing
Oden is usually enjoyed at dinnertime during the cold winter months. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a hot, soupy dish—so what’s the perfect match? A cold Japanese beer, of course! It’s a classic combo that never fails.
Hot oden and cold beer are a perfect couple—you won’t be able to stop eating and sipping once you start!
So this winter in Japan, warm yourself up with a bowl of oden and chill out with a refreshing beer. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a cozy night!
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