[Miso Soup and Noda Horo]

“御御御付け.” Well, how do you read it? The correct answer is “omiotsuke.” It means miso soup. The word “omiotsuke” is written both “御付” and “御汁” in Chinese characters, and it means something that accompanies a meal, and refers to soup in a bowl. The word “御 (o)” is a polite word originating from the Kyoto wives' language, and it was written “御御御付け” in Japanese dictionaries until a short while ago, according to a theory that it was formed by adding one more word to it to make it more polite, and then adding one more if it was not enough. In recent Japanese dictionaries, the word “omii” in wives' language refers to miso, and so miso otsuke is often written as “御味御付” or “御味御汁.” Thinking back to my childhood, I remember “omiotsuke” being used in conversations with my grandmother and mother. Nowadays, “omisoshiru” is the most common word.

Since “Japanese food” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, attention to Japanese food from overseas has spread rapidly, and recently miso soup has been enjoying a boom. The history of miso soup is long, and the word “miso” is said to have been written in a book written in the Heian period (794-1185). It is a traditional food that Japanese people still eat every day, even after a thousand years have passed.

For those who are new to miso soup, we recommend the Noda Horo “Square Stocker.” Prepare your favorite soup stock in this container. It is also convenient when you want to use a little for cooking. When the stocker is half-full, make miso soup in the stocker that day. After adding the ingredients and dissolving the miso, you will have enough for 3 to 4 bowls. I love that it saves me one less pot to wash and is earth-friendly. On days when I can't finish eating it, I transfer it to a Square M for storage.

The “with enamel lid” that we have just started to sell in our store is an excellent one that can be used over an open flame and in a dishwasher just like the main body. By using the lid when putting the stocker on the stove, you can reduce stains around the stove and prevent evaporation of soup.

For those of you who are interested, here are some tips for using it over an open flame. First, try heating slowly over low heat. It is not a pot, but just a storage container, and instead of using a microwave oven, you can warm it up to the core over direct heat patiently. In our house, we put it on a small gas burner and leave it on low heat. In the meantime, we proceed with other work. When enameled containers are put on the fire, both the handle and the lid become hot, so it is safe to use them with a wet cloth. Dishwasher use is possible (the photo shows a dishwasher that has been used for many years), and the enamel coating will last longer if washed by hand. We hope everyone can use them comfortably according to their lifestyles.

Noda Horo's Enamel Food Container (Enamel Lid)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/noda/horo.html

References
https://kanjibunka.com/kanji-faq/mean/q0439/
https://www.marukome.co.jp/miso/history/
https://tabinoto.jp/column/article/00000196