🍱 Fu no karashi ae

The annual major event in various schools of Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land Buddhism) known as “Hoonko,” is held around the anniversary of the death of the sect's founder, Shinran Shonin (November 28 on the lunar calendar or January 16 on the Gregorian calendar). It takes place from autumn to the beginning of the new year. In Fukui Prefecture, this event is referred to as “Honko-san” or “Okosama.” “Fu no karashi ae” is one of the vegetarian dishes served to the people who gather to observe the Hoonko, and because it uses wheat gluten and miso, it's a valuable source of protein among vegetarian dishes. The seasoning uses “jikarashi” made from “karashi seeds” from Fukui Prefecture, a type of Japanese mustard, to create a unique fragrant aroma. The secret to making it lies in the method of grinding whole “karashi” (mustard) seeds into a near-powdered form without removing the oil. It has been produced by a long-established store founded in the mid-Edo period and continues to be made using the same technique to this day. The square-shaped wheat gluten commonly used in this dish is produced in Echizen City. Some parts of the wheat gluten are colored red, adding a touch of color to the dish.