How to Enjoy Shamorock Nabe
To prepare the hot pot, a flavorful Shamorock-based broth is first brought to a boil. Pieces of Shamorock chicken and vegetables of your choice are then added and simmered until cooked.
As the ingredients cook, the chicken’s rich flavor is released into the soup. The vegetables also absorb the broth, allowing you to enjoy several different textures and flavors in every bite.
The dish is best enjoyed while it is still hot and steaming. The chicken has a pleasantly firm texture without being tough, while the broth has a concentrated savory flavor that is characteristic of Shamorock.
Finish with Rice or Noodles
When most of the chicken and vegetables have been eaten, the flavorful broth can be enjoyed to the very end. A popular way to finish the meal is to add cooked rice and make zosui, a Japanese-style rice porridge simmered in the remaining soup.
Alternatively, noodles can be added to the broth. This allows diners to enjoy the concentrated chicken flavor one last time and makes the most of every drop of the soup.
A Premium Local Chicken Developed Over 20 Years
Aomori Shamorock is a high-quality local chicken developed by the poultry division of the Aomori Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station. Its development took approximately 20 years of selective breeding.
The breed was created by crossing two varieties with different strengths. The first is the O-han Shamo, a native Aomori breed known for its fine-textured meat and rich flavor. The second is the O-han Plymouth Rock, valued for its excellent meat quality and ability to produce a flavorful broth.
By combining these characteristics, Shamorock was developed to offer both the high-quality meat and strong natural umami of its parent breeds.
Carefully Raised for Rich Flavor
Unlike ordinary broiler chickens, Aomori Shamorock is raised entirely in free-range conditions. The birds are also raised slowly over approximately twice the period required for standard broilers.
This longer growing period contributes to the chicken’s distinctive characteristics. The meat has a reddish color, a fine texture, and a delicate yet pleasantly firm bite. At the same time, it produces a particularly rich and flavorful broth when simmered.
Experience the Full Flavor of Aomori Shamorock
Shamorock Nabe brings together the qualities that make Aomori’s local chicken special: finely textured meat, a satisfying bite, and deeply concentrated umami. The chicken itself is delicious, while its flavor gradually transforms the broth and everything cooked in it.
For visitors exploring Aomori’s local cuisine, this hot pot is an excellent way to experience the character of a premium Japanese local chicken. From the first bite of Shamorock meat to the final bowl of rice or noodles, the dish allows you to enjoy the chicken’s rich flavor from beginning to end.