🍱 Toriniku no Sukiyaki

The people of Fukuoka began to eat chicken meat when Fukuoka prefecture experienced a famine, namely the Kyoho famine, during the Edo period and the Fukuoka Domain faced a financial crisis. The Fukuoka Domain created what was referred to as the “Chicken and Egg System” and recommended the local people to raise chickens and sell their eggs to other parts of the country to make money. This is how chicken meat became a popular food in the region. When large parties were held, several whole chickens were killed at home and served as part of the sukiyaki. The chopped-up chickens (including the internal organs) were placed on a large Arita porcelain platter. On another platter, ingredients such as napa cabbage, green onions, turnips, tofu, konjac and garland chrysanthemums were placed. The feasts were held in tatami rooms, and an iron pot was placed on top of a “shichirin” (=clay charcoal stove) so that the sukiyaki could be made and served to the guests.