🍱 Jiriyaki

Oita Prefecture is known for its high consumption of chicken, but flour-based food culture is also deeply rooted in the lives of its people. Since Oita Prefecture had a well-developed plateau, much of the land in the prefecture was unsuitable for rice cultivation, but over a long period of time, waterways were built throughout the prefecture. Eventually, cereal cultivation in fields became popular. Most of the harvested wheat is ground into local flour. “Yaseuma", for example, which is made from local flour, is still very popular among people of all ages. “Jiriyaki”, a traditional dish in Bungo-Ohno City, is also a product of the flour-based food culture. It is made of local flour dissolved in water, baked thinly like a crepe, and rolled with finely crushed brown sugar or pumpkin paste. It is easy to prepare and because of its simple and familiar flavor, it is widely popular not only in Bungo-Ohno City, but also in Oita Prefecture. Some say the name comes from the word "jirii" (meaning "loose" in the Oita dialect), while others say it comes from the fact that the dough is baked slowly (onomatopoeia “jiri jiri”). There are different names for this dish, such as "Hekoyaki” in Hita City, "Hiyaki” or "Taratarayaki” in other regions.