Kanzuri in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture

Kanzuri in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture

What is Kanzuri?

Kanzuri is a fermented chilli paste (or even hot sauce) made in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, using chillies, yuzu and koji. Kanzuri is unique in that, although one or two similar products do exist, the others are not fermented for as long; anywhere between three and six years.

All chillies used are grown locally and harvested during the summer months. They are then marinated in salt throughout autumn before being thrown out on the snow sometime during January. They are left on the snow for three or four days. The snow is said to draw out any bitterness thereby increasing sweetness in the final product.

Have a go at yukisarashi

If you're lucky enough to be in town at the time you can go and watch the ladies spread the chillies around, known as "yukisarashi". Visitors can even have a go at throwing the chillies too! Either way, the smell alone is enough to make you salivate your way to the gift shop.

Take home a Myoko souvenir

The paste goes very well with Japan's traditional winter dish, "nabe", and a host of other things including yakitori, while one of the "Kaminari" (thunder) hot sauces puts the fire into tacos but is definitely not for those uninitiated with hot sauces. If you like spicy food but don't want your brain exploded, start with the regular paste or perhaps even the habanero paste.

If you don't make it to see the chillies being spread out on the snow (during 2021, this took place over a few days around the 20th of January) you will still see Kanzuri in most omiyage shops in the Myoko area.

Myoko is Kanzuri, Sake and Snow

Just as Kanzuri derives its uniqueness from its relationship with snow, so too do two of Myoko's other main drawcards; sake and winter sports. Myoko and Niigata Prefecture, in general, are proud of their "nihonshu" which is crafted with food pairing in mind. While each prefecture in Japan has its own philosophy when it comes to crafting sake, Niigata's pure snowmelt waters are perfect for creating subtle yet flavourful nihonshu while some other prefectures will have bolder flavours. If you're looking for something to pair with a Kanzuri dish, you might like to consider a "namazake" (raw sake) or "nigori" (cloudy).

Of course, perhaps even more entrenched in modern-day Myoko is skiing, snowboarding and other winter pursuits. Myoko Kogen receives an amazing amount of snow averaging much more than most places on Earth with 15 metres per year!

Among the many attractions of the Myoko area, with snow at the heart of most, Kanzuri is perhaps the most memorable for those in search of Japanese food with a unique twist.