Motsu Nabe (Offal Hotpot)

A regional dish from Fukuoka prefecture, motsu means “intestines,” and this nabe contains the offal cuts of meat, such as tripe, chicken, beef or pork giblets, and chicken gizzards. With a broth consisting of such flavorful components like soy sauce, miso, chili pepper, garlic, and chives, the result is a wonderful concoction of strong, bold flavor and hearty sustenance. It is best when paired with shochu, the regional liquor of Kyushu.

Ingredients

• 300 grams Pig offal (motsu), raw or boiled
• 600 ml ●Water
• 1 tsp ●Dashi stock granules
• 1 tsp ●Chicken soup stock granules
• 3 tbsp ●Soy sauce
• 2 tbsp ●Sake
• 4 tbsp ●Mirin
• 1 Red chili pepper
• 4 clove - or as much (to taste) Garlic
• 1/4 a head Cabbage
• 1 bunch Chinese chives
• 1/2 bag Bean sprouts
• 1 as much (to taste) Tofu
• 1 as much (to taste) Maitake mushrooms (or other mushrooms)
• 1 Cooked rice, egg, green onions

Directions

1. Process the raw offal: Wash the offal well especially on the insides under running water. Blanch in boiling water briefly. When a lot of scum comes off, drain into a colander or sieve, and wash off any impurities under running water.
2. Slice the garlic, and the red chili pepper. Cut up the cabbage and chives into big pieces. Shred up the mushrooms into large clumps. Put the ● ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the garlic and chili pepper.
3. Line the bottom of the pot with several pieces of cabbage, and put the offal on top. Layer the rest of the cabbage, mushrooms, tofu, bean sprouts and chives on top in that order.
4. When the pot comes to a boil, lower the heat so that it doesn’t boil over. Simmer until the cabbage is wilted without stirring. Stir everything once and it’s done.
5. At the end when just some broth is left, add the rice and swirl in the beaten egg and make a porridge as the “shime” (the last part of the hotpot) - it’s delicious! Sprinkle in some chopped green onion to taste and enjoy.
6. Appuru Akko tried this and added ramen noodles at the end. Next time I’m going to try that as the “shime”!! Miemie tried udon noodles!