Odamaki-mushi
is like the popular Japanese dish, chawan-mushi (savoury
custard cup), only it has udon noodles in it (thick wheat
flour noodles). These days it is quite common. However, in the
old days it was considered a luxury, as eggs used to be very
expensive and not easily obtainable for most people.
Odamaki-mushi
was originally something eaten on special occasions by merchants
in the Kansai region. For most people it was an extravagance,
to be eaten only when sick, as the number of eggs used rendered
it quite a luxury in those days.
An "odamaki"
is a ball of linen thread. The balls of udon noodles in
odamaki-mushi resemble this, hence the name. The noodles
give it bulk, so you get a good tasting dish that won't leave
you hungry. For merchants in the Semba region, who were very
careful with their money, this was a "real value for your
money" meal. |
