One of the staple dishes in winter in Japan is the hot pot or “nabe”. Each area of Japan has its own type of nabe.
In the past, people have tended to stick with traditional recipes, but the latest trend in Japan has people getting creative with how hot pot, or “nabe” looks and their photogenic creations are a feast for the eyes.
At one restaurant in Tokyo, the ingredients in nabe are all served on skewers. The wooden signs are inscribed with the name of the ingredients. The effect is not just appetizing – it’s also very eye-catching. There are vegetables, meat, mushrooms, and eggs. For the customers, the first priority is to snap the dish and post their pictures to their social media sites.
In a restaurant specializing in Yakitori – chicken grilled on skewers, this winter, the staff decided to create a dish that would have a stronger visual appeal. So for the first time, they put their skewers in a nabe hot pot. The soup stock has a tomato base and when each ingredient is cooked, it can be dipped into the thick molten cheese.
“This dish encourages customers to take photos, and spread the word on social media. It’s a good way to attract new customers,” says the restaurant manager. This winter, many restaurants are coming up with their own original creations, trying to make the biggest impact.
This new trend is spreading from restaurants to major supermarkets. One store set aside an area for hot pot soup and ingredients as usual, but with a new promotional approach – “photogenic nabe”, and encouraged customers to submit their own photos. In one month, more than 150 photos came in – including many that are totally original and photogenic. (Floro Mercene)