For most of us, Japanese food is a hit or miss. It's either a delicious treasure or an unusual, fish-focused cuisine. If you're a fan of Japanese food, including ramen, broths, and all things umami, there's something you MUST try in Japan. It's a dish that has been around for centuries—quite literally. Japanese Oden is a fish cake stew made in simmered broth. We've heard that Otafuku in Asakusa serves the oldest Oden around.
The Oden broth in which the fish cakes simmer in Otafaku is over 100 years old. How is it edible? How do they preserve the broth for centuries? Does it taste spoilt? We had the same bunch of questions.
The curious person that I am, I decided to dig deep, and I was truly fascinated.
First of all,
What is Oden made of?
Japanese Oden is a one-pot dish, known as 'Nabemono' (鍋 物) which literally means 'things in a pot'. It's very much like eating a mala hotpot for one, but Japanese style. It is made with a bunch of ingredients like Daikon radish, Chikuwa (tubular fish cake), Konnyaku (yam jelly pudding), Hanpen (white fish cake), Aburaage (deep-fried tofu) and boiled Eggs boiled in a broth along with seasonings like Soy Sauce, Mirin, Dashi stock and Karashi (Mustard). Some even add beef tendons to make the broth more flavourful but it's usually just fish cakes.
What does Oden taste like?
If you've tried fish cakes and miso soup before, you might think you know the taste. It's somewhat similar but not quite the same. Japanese Oden tastes like a rich, simmered broth filled with radish, fish cakes, and stock. It's packed with nourishment and umami flavour, often including softened vegetables and skewered tofu that have soaked in the stew. Unlike miso, Oden broth is deeply flavorful. Occasionally, you'll even find Oden made with miso-based broths as well.
Who invented Oden in Japan?
Japanese Oden's story dates back to the Edo period (1603–1867), with its roots in the Muromachi period's (1333–1573) Dengaku-dofu. It was said to be famous among the Imperial Wives. Originally, Dengaku-dofu (Odengaku) was skewered tofu coated in miso, evolving over time into the hotpot known as Oden.
By the late Edo period, new ingredients like konjac, eggplant, and fish were added, and the method of stewing ingredients in soy sauce-flavored broth became popular. Oden became famous during Japan's Meiji and Taisho periods, with regional variations like Kanto-daki in Kansai.
This became a beloved dish for family gatherings, especially during cold seasons, offering warmth and comfort. Today, Oden is a popular and easily prepared meal, available in convenient boil-in-the-bag products in stores and supermarkets.
Which is better Tokyo Oden or Kanazawa Oden?
The original Oden hails from Tokyo, typically made with fish cakes and fish paste. It's rare to find Tokyo-style Oden that includes beef. In Kanazawa and the northern regions, Oden features a lot of fresh seafood like prawns, crabs, and sea snails. When it comes to taste, many say Kanazawa's version is superior. For an authentic experience though, we recommend trying Oden in Tokyo—or try both and decide for yourself!
You'll also find Kyoto-style and Kansai-style Oden made with kombu and beef, Nagoya-style which incorporates pork, and Shizuoka-style which mixes beef into the broth.
Is Japanese Oden healthy?
Oden is a very healthy dish. It has all the vitamins and nutrients of the vegetables and proteins packed in the broth, and it's also served warm and is easily digestible. It's high in fibre which helps with bowel movements and is the perfect dish to keep you warm during wintertime.
Is Oden the same as 50-year-old Soup in Asia?
The 50-year-old soup in Thailand is different from Japanese Oden. 'Neua Tune' is a hearty beef broth that has been simmering for the past 50 years in a restaurant called Wattana Panich in Bangkok, Thailand. Today it's run by the 3rd generation of the founder family. While it too may be an umami-flavoured broth which is on the boil, the origins and tastes are very different. Neua Tune is made with Chinese Herbs whereas Oden is, quite obviously, Japanese.
How do you preserve Oden for years?
Since the broth is constantly boiling, it doesn't spoil. New vegetables and ingredients are regularly added, refreshing the broth as a whole. This continuous renewal helps keep the Oden broth flavorful and prevents it from going bad.
How to eat Japanese Oden?
First, you must select your Oden ingredients. There will be a selection of vegetables and fish cakes for you to choose from. Start with Daikon Radishes and Carrots as vegetables, then select your preferred types of Fish cakes and boiled eggs. Avoid adding dumplings to the broth as it may influence the broth's flavour.
As it's a hotpot, you can eat Oden directly from your bowl using chopsticks and a spoon. It's usually served with a side of Japanese Mustard which is known as Karashi. It can be strong, so dip it little by little.
Oden is generally eaten as an evening snack during wintertime. Back in the day, after a long day of work, men would gather at an Oden joint to have a warm bowl of broth right before heading back home.
Where to find the best Oden in Japan?
You'll find so many shops across Tokyo selling Oden. After all, it's their regional speciality. However, we found that the most authentic Oden spot is a place named Otafaku Oden in Asakusa
Asakusa Oden Otafaku
Otafaku restaurant has been simmering the same pot of Oden for more than 100 years. Otafaku restaurant was founded in Osaka, however, due to the dish being fairly new to the food industry hence making little profit, it was relocated to Tokyo in 1915.
Otafaku serves 40 different types of Oden and continuously upgrades its menus while maintaining the traditional aged-old taste. Make sure you select the best combo of ingredients for the broth. That way you can enjoy the most authentic taste.
Convenience Store Oden
During cold days, you'll find ready-to-eat Oden in metal pots as well as packaged Oden in convenience stores like 7/11 across Japan. You just need to empty the package onto a bowl and boil it for about 15 to 30 minutes and it's ready to eat.
If you're a traveller, we recommend trying it at an Oden shop rather than a 7/11 for a better more authentic experience.
Is Japanese Oden Halal?
Japanese Oden is generally halal unless it includes one of the regional variations that have pork in the mix. Most Oden shops in Tokyo only use seafood, but to be on the safe side, always ask if it contains any pork.
Is Japanese Oden Vegan?
No, Japanese Oden is not vegan as it's primarily made of Fish cakes and fish paste apart from boiled eggs and sometimes beef tendons. But you can make Vegan Oden at home with the same ingredients minus the fish proteins.
Vegan Oden can be made by simmering Daikon, Carrots, Celery and Shitake Mushrooms in a soup base made of Kelp (Umami flavour), Mirin, Soy Sauce and Miso. The trick is to soak them first and let the veggies simmer for over an hour. The longer the better.
Trying Japanese Oden anytime soon? Let us know what you like its unique flavour in the comments below!