Nanko Nabe: A Rustic Horse Meat Hot Pot from Japan’s Mining Towns

What is Nanko Nabe?Nanko Nabe is a type of Sakura Nabe — a hot pot featuring horse meat — but with a unique twist: it uses the intestines (motsu) of the horse, simmered in a rich miso-based broth. This hearty dish has been enjoyed in various regions of Japan, notably Akita Prefecture, the Sorachi area of Hokkaido, and in Nagano Prefecture, where it’s known as “Otaguri.”

The Meaning of “Nanko”In the Sorachi region, the word “nanko” is a local dialect term referring to horse intestines. It’s believed that the dish was influenced by mining communities, including those in Hokkaido’s coal mining towns and in Akita’s Ani Mine. When miners in Sorachi suffered from vitamin B2 deficiency, horse meat — particularly the offal — became an important source of nutrition. Over time, the term “nanko” became synonymous with this warming hot pot.

Regional VariationsThe preparation of Nanko Nabe varies depending on the area:

• Some versions season the broth with soy sauce, curry powder, or pepper instead of (or in addition to) miso.

• Common ingredients include burdock root, bamboo shoots, and konnyaku.

• In certain styles, it’s finished with a beaten egg, similar to Yanagawa Nabe.

• In some mining towns, the dish was served in scallop shells (kayaki) as a makeshift cooking vessel — a tradition noted by author Keiko Matsuda, who documented miners in early 20th-century Akita eating Nanko Nabe this way.

  
  

How to Enjoy ItNanko Nabe can be eaten straight from the pot, poured over rice (shiru-kake meshi), or served as a soup base for udon noodles. Each way offers a different but equally satisfying experience.

Where to Find It TodayYou can still find Nanko Nabe in various towns across Japan, particularly in:

• Hokkaido: Utashinai, Akabira, Ashibetsu, Mikasa, and Iwamizawa

• Akita Prefecture: Kitaakita

• Nagano Prefecture: Known as “Otaguri”

  
  

Why You Should Try ItBeyond its rich, savory flavor, Nanko Nabe is a dish steeped in history — a reflection of Japan’s mining heritage, regional resourcefulness, and the close connection between people, their work, and the food that sustained them.