Elusive Taste of Spring: URUI

Apr 22, 2022 | Recipes

うるい・Urui
The Elusive Taste of Spring

Urui (Hosta sieboldiana) is in the lily family; it is often planted as an ornamental in gardens. It thrives in damp soil in areas of partial or dappled shade. It has been cultivated in Japan since the Edo period (1603-1868) though young shoots of wild urui have been foraged for food for thousands of years. In Japan, urui is a sign of spring to be savored at table.

Urui with Tangy Su Miso
うるい酢味噌
Urui with Kurumi Miso
胡桃味噌

 

Either, or both, of these flavored miso mixtures can become a dip sauce for urui. Or, use the sauces to toss and dress urui.

Download a recipe for URUI with Two Miso Sauces.

うるいの肉巻き
URUI no Niku Maki

The clean, almost grassy-like, taste of urui accommodates the rich fattiness of pork belly very well. Season with just salt and pepper, or add a dab of yuzu koshō at the last moment. The rolls pack nicely into obentō… and make a great nibble with beer, wine or saké.

Download a recipe for URUI Meat Roll-Ups.

For more ideas and instruction (recipes) check out the Kitchen Culture Cooking Club post.
Year-Passing SOBA; New Year-Welcoming UDON

Year-Passing SOBA; New Year-Welcoming UDON

Dec 21, 2024

Year-Passing SOBA... New Year-Welcoming UDON The Japanese bid farewell to the current year by slurping l-o-n-g noodles at midnight. Though most areas of Japan eat soba, calling the noodles toshi koshi (year-passing), those hailing from the Sanuki region eat udon....

Thanksgiving Rituals in Japan

Thanksgiving Rituals in Japan

Nov 19, 2024

In Japan, rice is more than just sustenance. It holds symbolic and sacred significance. Rice yield was also a measurement of wealth during the Edo Period (1603-1868). Early records of rituals celebrating the harvest and entreating future prosperity, called nii namé...

Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg Custards)

Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg Custards)

Oct 18, 2024

Silky, savory egg custards called CHAWAN MUSHI 茶碗蒸し are served in cups with a spoon. The egg and dashi mixture is delicately seasoned with mirin and light-colored soy sauce. Various tidbits such as mushrooms, ginko nuts, chicken, shrimp or kamaboko (fish sausage) can...

Autumnal Culinary Pleasure: SANMA

Autumnal Culinary Pleasure: SANMA

Sep 5, 2024

The Japanese speak of aki no mikaku (autumnal eating pleasures). Of the many foods placed in that category, a slender, sleek, and steely-colored fish called sanma (Pacific saury; Cololabis saira 秋刀魚) has always been considered shomin no aji, or "food for the masses."...

Recent Posts & Projects