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Anglerfish Hot Pot

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Anglerfish Hot Pot

A winter delicacy rich in nutrients and good for beauty and health

Ibaraki Prefecture

Anglerfish hot pot is a winter specialty of Ibaraki Prefecture. The anglerfish is a distinct-looking deep-sea fish without scales that is soft and flabby. Despite its slightly grotesque appearance, it was considered a high-class food during the Edo Period (1603-1868) and used to be presented as a gift from the daimyo (feudal lord) of the Mito Domain (present-day Ibaraki) to the shogun.

The anglerfish meat is tender and has a light flavor, while some parts of its body, such as the liver, stomach, and skin, have a characteristic elastic texture. The first time you taste it, you might be slightly taken aback by its unique flavor and smell. Nevertheless, anglerfish is excellent for beauty and health! Rich in vitamins and low in fat and calories, this amazing fish is also full of collagen, which keeps the skin supple, and has recently gained popularity among beauty-conscious people.

Anglerfish is in season from November to March. The anglerfish hot pot, flavored with anglerfish liver and miso, is the most famous way to eat it. Depending on how much liver you use, the richness, umami, and flavor will change considerably. Anglerfish tastes even more exquisite between December and February when the liver becomes fatty, earning it the nickname of “foie gras of the sea.”

Savor anglerfish hot pot at Oarai Hotel on the Oarai Coast, a gorgeous location with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The anglerfish hot pot is cooked in a large pot by skilled chefs and served directly to your table. Guests also have the opportunity to watch the anglerfish cutting show, in which the fish is hung and sliced. A warm anglerfish hot pot is perfect for cold winters. Please enjoy it in Ibaraki!

How to get there

From Tokyo Station, take a Limited Express train to Mito Station, then take the Oarai Kashima Line to Oarai Station. Pickup service is available from Oarai Station to Oarai Hotel upon reservation.

Oarai Hotel: 6881 Isohamacho, Oaraimachi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki-ken