🍱 Ohira
One of the most famous foods in the Iwakuni region is a dish called “Ohira”―so named because it is served in a large, flat lacquer ware bowl (the term “Ohira” is a combination of two characters―“o” which means large, and “hira” which means flat) topped with a lid. It is a hearty stew featuring ingredients such as chicken, satoimo, renkon, nagaimo (Chinese yam), shiitake mushrooms, gobo (burdock root), and koya-dofu (freeze-dried tofu), and served with plenty of broth. It is a dish often served during large gatherings, such as ceremonial occasions like weddings and funerals―and in such instances, the Ohira bowl can have a diameter as large as 50 cm. Traditionally, the contents of the Ohira are served up in small plates to individual diners. Since it is a lightly flavored, soup-based dish, it is common to consume both the ingredients and the broth together. Together with the luxurious and decorative “Iwakuni Sushi,” Ohira is considered an essential culinary element in celebratory events.