Written by: Jin Fujisaki / Published: 2026-02-23
Kiritanpo nabe. It is the finest local cuisine that Akita Prefecture proudly boasts, but when it comes to making it at home, there have always been hurdles like "gathering the ingredients (especially fresh seri/Japanese parsley) is a hassle" and "it's hard to make just a single serving." However, "Loaded Microwavable Cup Kiritanpo," developed by "Kappo Misawa" in Odate City—the birthplace of kiritanpo—has shattered that conventional wisdom with nothing more than a microwave oven.
At the recently held "2nd Japan Nationwide! Local Frozen Food Awards 2025-2026," this product brilliantly won an award (the Hasshi Prize). It is no simple instant soup that just requires hot water poured over it. It is a crystallization of food tech: a complete, single-serving "authentic kiritanpo nabe" made by a real kappo restaurant, flash-frozen container and all.
| The "Vegetable Texture" Achieved by the Art Lock Freezer
image Kappo Misawa
The biggest weakness of frozen hot pots and soups has always been that "the vegetables turn mushy." However, this product uses a special rapid-freezing technology called the "Art Lock Freezer (-50°C)," which freezes food without destroying its cellular structure.
When you heat it in the microwave (600W) for about 8 minutes and pull out the piping-hot cup, an astonishing sight unfolds before you. The crisp snap of the burdock root, the firm bite of the maitake mushrooms, and above all, the vivid aroma and texture of the seri—the very soul of kiritanpo nabe—are preserved as if they had just been chopped and added to the pot moments ago. The compromises typical of frozen foods are nowhere to be found here.
| 100% Hinai Jidori Chicken "Golden Broth" and Handmade Kiritanpo
image Kappo Misawa
The star of the dish, the kiritanpo, is made one by one by hand from "Akitakomachi"—Akita Prefecture-certified specially-cultivated rice grown by Eco-Farmer certified producers—and toasted to a fragrant, golden brown. It is steeped in a meticulously crafted straight broth made from 100% Hinai Jidori chicken bones, one of Japan's three great heritage chicken breeds.
Take one sip and the elegant, rich umami and depth of the chicken seep into every fiber of your being. This is no flavor faked with MSG, but a profound, kappo-quality taste in which the genuine chicken fat (chicken oil) and vegetable dashi melt together. The chewy kiritanpo soaks up plenty of this golden broth, and with each bite, the sweetness of the rice and the umami of the heritage chicken spread through your mouth. The hearty chunks of Hinai Jidori chicken meat also deliver an excellent, satisfying bite.
| Zero Prep, Zero Dishes. The Ultimate "Cutting of Corners"
image Kappo Misawa
Despite its top-tier quality, all the consumer has to do is "take it out of the freezer and put it in the microwave still frozen, without removing the lid." No pot, no knife, no cutting board—not even a bowl is required. When you're done eating, just throw the cup away. Zero washing up.
Imagine those nights when you come home utterly exhausted from work, or those holidays when it's too cold to bother going shopping. How much of a lifesaver would it be just to know this is sitting in your freezer? It beautifully solves that selfish modern desire of "I want to eat something warm and delicious, but I don't want to do anything"—about as gracefully as one could ask for.
| Summary: A "Counter Seat at a Kappo Restaurant" for 1,300 Yen
image Kappo Misawa
The price is 1,300 yen (tax included) for one serving (450g). Compared to supermarket frozen foods, it is undoubtedly a premium item, but if you consider that "an authentic kiritanpo nabe served at a kappo in Akita" appears before you with zero travel costs and just 8 minutes of cooking time, it's actually a steal.
"Loaded Microwavable Cup Kiritanpo" has also become extremely popular as a furusato nozei (hometown tax) return gift. It is the pinnacle of next-generation local gourmet food, combining convenience with authentic flavor. We recommend clearing some space in your freezer and preparing to receive this warm gift from Akita.
