🍱 Taraosa

“Taraosa”(=dried codfish) is a dried codfish eaten in Hita city and Kusu district of Oita prefecture. It is made by drying the gills and stomach of codfish, and is characterized by its unique shape, which resembles a large toothbrush. In the days when preservation technology and transportation infrastructure were not available, people in the Hita and Kusu regions could only eat dried or salted seafood. “Taraosa” was and is still a delicacy, and it is served during the Bon holidays, although vegetarianism is the norm. “Taraosa” has a grotesque appearance and many non-locals do not know how to prepare or eat it. For locals, it is a popular delicacy and the crunchy texture of the gills, and the softness of the stomach are what make the dish so delicious. In Oita Prefecture, various species of fish such as horse mackerel, sea bream, and hairtail are caught, but codfish is not. Therefore, the codfish is transported from Wakkanai city, the northernmost part in Hokkaido. The preliminary processed codfish are left out to dry in the cold winter winds. This delicacy is rarely consumed in Hokkaido and is specifically manufactured for the Bon holidays of the Hita and Kusu regions of Oita.