Kitaakari Jumbo Potato with Butter is a simple yet irresistible Hokkaido specialty made with a whole Kitaakari potato topped with a generous piece of butter. The potato is served piping hot, allowing the butter to slowly melt over its fluffy surface. The rich aroma of warm potato and butter makes this a wonderfully appetizing treat.
Kitaakari is a popular Hokkaido potato variety known for its excellent flavor and distinctive sweetness. It has a slightly sweet taste reminiscent of sweet potatoes and chestnuts, which has earned it the nickname “Kuri-jaga,” or “chestnut potato.”
Its soft, fluffy texture and natural sweetness are especially delicious when combined with butter. The gentle saltiness of the butter enhances the potato’s sweetness, creating a simple combination with surprisingly rich flavor.
Jaga-bata, or potato with butter, is one of Hokkaido’s best-known ways to enjoy the region’s delicious potatoes. Although the dish is wonderfully satisfying on its own, some areas of Hokkaido also serve potato with shiokara, a traditional salted and fermented seafood condiment, as a topping.
The combination of fluffy hot potato, creamy butter, and the salty umami of shiokara offers a distinctly Hokkaido-style taste experience. If you are looking to try a simple local food that showcases the natural flavor of Hokkaido potatoes, this is a dish worth seeking out.