Keihan rice facts for kids

Keihan (鶏飯, "chicken-rice") is a special and tasty dish from the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, which is in the south of Japan. The name "Keihan" means "chicken-rice" in Japanese. It's usually made with chicken, but it also has other yummy ingredients. These often include egg, pickles, dried shiitake mushrooms, orange peel, nori (seaweed), and a delicious soup stock. Keihan is a very popular meal in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is even a standard dish served in school lunches there!

What is Keihan?

Keihan is a type of rice dish that is often served with many toppings. Imagine a bowl of rice, and then you add all sorts of colorful and flavorful ingredients on top. Finally, you pour a hot, savory chicken broth over everything. This makes it a warm and comforting meal.

Key Ingredients of Keihan

The main ingredient in Keihan is, of course, chicken! The chicken is usually cooked and shredded into small pieces. But what makes Keihan so unique are the other toppings.

• Shredded Egg: Thinly sliced or scrambled egg adds a nice yellow color and soft texture.
• Pickles: Different kinds of Japanese pickles give a tangy and crunchy bite.
• Dried Shiitake Mushrooms: These mushrooms are rehydrated and often cooked in a sweet and savory sauce.
• Orange Peel: A little bit of fresh orange peel can add a bright, citrusy smell and taste.
• Nori: Shredded dried seaweed, called nori, adds a salty, oceanic flavor.
• Soup Stock: The most important part is the hot, clear chicken broth. It's poured over all the ingredients, making them soft and easy to eat.
• Sake: Sometimes, a little bit of cooking sake (Japanese rice wine) is used in the broth or to flavor the chicken. Don't worry, the alcohol cooks out!

Where Did Keihan Come From?

The exact beginning of Keihan is a bit of a mystery! No one is completely sure how this delicious dish first came to be.

Theories About Keihan's Origin

One idea is that Keihan developed from a local dish called takikomi gohan. This is a Japanese rice dish where rice is cooked together with other ingredients and seasonings. Some people think Keihan started in a town called Kasari on Amami Ōshima island.

However, another idea is that the dish was actually brought to the Amami Islands from the main part of Japan. It's hard to know for sure which story is true!

Keihan in History

We do know that Keihan has been around for a very long time. It is thought to date back at least to the Edo period (1600–1867). The Edo period was a time in Japanese history when the country was ruled by powerful military leaders called shoguns.

During this time, the powerful Shimazu clan ruled Kagoshima. The Shimazu lords would often serve Keihan rice when important government officials visited. This shows that Keihan was considered a special and important meal. The recipe for Keihan even appeared in many cooking books from that time!