Fukuoka Local Cuisine: Gameni

Alright, folks, let’s dive into a Fukuoka classic – Gameni! This hearty and flavorful dish is a staple in the region, bringing together chicken and a medley of root vegetables. The name “Gameni” itself has an interesting local twist, and this dish is so beloved that it pops up at celebrations and on dinner tables all over the prefecture.

Dish Name: Gameni

• Region / Location: Fukuoka Prefecture (throughout the prefecture).
• Primary Area of Tradition: Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Main Ingredients: Chicken (thigh), potatoes, carrots, bamboo shoots.

How It’s Eaten / Served

Gameni is prepared by first stir-frying all the ingredients together. Then, dashi (Japanese broth) and seasonings are added, and the mixture is simmered until the vegetables are tender. While the vegetables can vary depending on the season, there’s a tradition in Shikanoshima, Fukuoka City, to use an odd number of ingredients. Some people also add ginger or garnish the dish with snap peas for a little extra flair.

Cultural Background and Preservation

Gameni is a representative dish of Fukuoka, and its name is said to come from the Hakata dialect word “gamekuri komu,” meaning “to gather together” or “to collect”. Another story suggests that the dish originated during the Bunroku War, when soldiers heading to Korea cooked “dobugame” (a type of turtle, though the exact translation can vary) with whatever ingredients they could find, which led to the name “Gameni”. Nowadays, chicken is typically used instead of turtle. Gameni is a popular dish for New Year’s celebrations and as a vegetarian dish, and it’s a flavor that locals can’t do without. In fact, national surveys show that Fukuoka City has high consumption rates of chicken and burdock root, likely due to their use in Gameni. While Gameni is similar to what’s known as “Chikuzenni” in other parts of Japan, Gameni sometimes uses chicken with the bone in, while Chikuzenni often uses boneless chicken.

Gameni is often cooked for celebratory occasions like New Year’s, festivals, and weddings. It was also selected as one of Fukuoka Prefecture’s local dishes in a national survey of rural and fishing village cuisine, alongside Mizutaki. It’s enjoyed as a regular side dish and as an accompaniment to drinks. You’ll also find it served at the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.

Since it’s packed with a variety of vegetables, Gameni is a nutritionally well-balanced dish and is frequently cooked in homes.

Additional information:

• Chikuzenni (筑前煮): A similar dish to Gameni, but sometimes uses boneless chicken.