Hanami is synonymous with a picnic with friends, family or colleagues under the blooming cherry blossoms, and it is something of a rite of passage into spring. Picnics mean sharing food — so how is a vegetarian in Japan to navigate this social scene? Here are some simple yet impressive items you can take with you to your picnic under the pink.
Nitamago, or marinated soft-boiled eggs, are often used as toppings for ramen, though on their own they are nothing short of divinely flavor-packed edible ovoids perfect for picnicking. In essence, nitamago are soft-boiled eggs that have been left to soak in a seasoned broth over several hours or even a few days.
There are countless ways to boil an egg, but in general you want to aim for a slightly runny but thick yolk, and firm whites. Using chilled eggs, six or seven minutes at a medium to full boil is my personal approximation, but you may need to experiment.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.