On this article, we’ll dive into what Ebi Meshi is, the way it got here to be, what makes it particular, and reply some widespread questions on it. Whether or not you’ve by no means heard of it otherwise you’re already a fan, you’ll come away figuring out why this dish holds such a particular place in individuals’s hearts.
What Makes Ebi Meshi Particular?
Ebi Meshi is a kind of Japanese fried rice, nevertheless it doesn’t appear like any common fried rice you could know. As a substitute of a golden or soy-colored tone, the rice is darkish—virtually black. This coloration doesn’t come from soy sauce, which you would possibly count on. It really comes from a particular sauce made with caramel sauce, ketchup, curry powder, and a mixture of spices. The caramel provides the colour, whereas the ketchup and curry give it a candy and barely tangy taste.
The title “Ebi Meshi” actually means “shrimp rice,” and shrimp play a number one function within the dish. Cooks stir-fry the shrimp with chopped onions, generally mushrooms, after which combine all the things with rice. After that, they pour within the signature black sauce to coat the rice fully. To complete the dish, they usually high it with shredded egg omelet and inexperienced peas. These toppings not solely add coloration but additionally stability out the flavors and textures.
The place Did Ebi Meshi Come From?
The story of Ebi Meshi doesn’t begin in Okayama, although it’s now the dish’s hometown. It really started in Tokyo in 1955. A curry restaurant within the Shibuya space referred to as “Indeira” got here up with the recipe. The founder, Tatsumi Idei, wished to create one thing new and memorable, and that’s how Ebi Meshi first landed on the menu.
A number of years later, Idei moved again to Okayama, his hometown. In 1966, he opened one other Indeira restaurant there and introduced the Ebi Meshi recipe with him. Individuals in Okayama shortly fell in love with it. Over time, the recipe modified barely to suit native tastes. Cooks in Okayama made the flavour a bit sweeter and added uncooked mushrooms to the combo. The sauce additionally grew to become extra specialised, turning into what we now know because the “Ebi Meshi sauce.”
Thanks to those adjustments, Ebimeshi grew to become greater than only a dish—it became consolation meals for the individuals of Okayama. At this time, yow will discover it everywhere in the metropolis, in small cafes and household eating places. Some locations even promote frozen or packaged variations so individuals can take pleasure in it at house, even when they dwell removed from Okayama.
The place are you able to eat Ebi Meshi?
Ebimeshiya Tatsumi (えびめしや)
Ebimeshiya Tatsumi is a widely known restaurant in Okayama Metropolis, well-known for its distinctive native specialty, Ebi Meshi. The restaurant is credited with bringing Ebi Meshi, which originated in a Tokyo curry restaurant, to Okayama, the place it shortly grew to become a beloved native soul meals. Ebimeshiya Tatsumi’s signature Ebi Meshi options rice stir-fried of their unique, aromatic sauce, mixed with plump shrimp and a mild sweetness.
Ujō Espresso Store（烏城珈琲店）
A relaxed, castle-themed café on the bottom ground of Lodge Excel Okayama, steps from Okayama Fortress. They serve conventional Ebi-meshi and a particular model topped with fried shrimp and selfmade tartar sauce.
Cafe Antenna（カフェ アンテナ）
A trendy café close to Korakuen Backyard providing Ebi-meshi with salad. Its mellow taste comes from Okayama’s Shimizu white peach paste, topped with crispy fried shrimp.
Last Ideas
Ebi Meshi is greater than only a meal. It’s a mirrored image of how meals can journey, change, and develop into one thing that represents a complete area. Beginning as a Tokyo invention, this black fried rice discovered a brand new life in Okayama, the place it now feels prefer it’s all the time belonged.
In case you get the prospect to go to Okayama, ensure that to strive a plate of Ebi Meshi. It’s candy, savory, filled with taste, and in contrast to something you’ve had earlier than. And when you take pleasure in it, you may additionally need to try different tasty Japanese rice dishes like Takikomi Gohan (seasoned rice with veggies and meat), Omurice (rice wrapped in an omelet), or Japanese Curry Rice.
FAQ
- What’s Ebi-meshi?
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It’s a specialty fried rice from Okayama, made with shrimp and a wealthy, darkish sauce.
- Why is the rice darkish?
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The colour comes from a particular sauce made with demi-glace and ketchup.
- Is it spicy?
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No, it’s candy and savory, not spicy.
- Can I discover it outdoors Okayama?
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It’s uncommon, however some eating places in different cities might serve it.
- What’s it often served with?
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Usually paired with salad, soup, or an omelet on high.