🍚 Ami-Meshi (Mixed Rice with Krill)

The Buzen Sea, covering eastern Fukuoka and the northern coast of Oita prefecture, has shallow waters and tidal flats, which make it home to many rare creatures. Usa, Nakatsu, Bungotakada cities of Oita prefecture face the Buzen Sea, and net fishing is very popular in this area. Shrimps, soles, and darkfin pike eels are caught using small trawls and octopuses and squids are caught using net baskets or gillnets. Seaweed are cultivated in the tidal flats, and sea cucumbers are caught by underwater fishing. “Ami” (=krill) is widely caught along the coast of Bungotakada city. “Ami” (=krill) is a type of zooplankton caught during the winter. The coast becomes pink when the “ami” (=krill) is in season. Freshly caught “ami” (=krill) are pickled in salt and used as a seasoning or used to make dried “ami” (=krill). People like to use “ami” (=krill) as a substitute for sakura shrimps to make “okonomiyaki” (=Japanese savory pancake) and “kakiage” (=type of tempura). “Ami Meshi” is an easy to make and popular dish made with dried “ami” (=krill), which has a lot of flavor, and it is enjoyed during the autumn and winter.