Kita no Oichiizu is a unique type of cheese unlike anything travelers may have encountered before. With its appearance and texture resembling saki-ika, Japanese shredded dried squid, it offers a completely new way to enjoy cheese from Hokkaido.
Kita no Oichiizu is made from rich, flavorful cheese produced from Hokkaido milk. The cheese is combined with a savory soy sauce made from Hokkaido-grown soybeans and wheat, creating a distinctive combination of dairy richness and deep Japanese seasoning.
Its unusual appearance makes it look surprisingly similar to strips of dried squid. However, the moment you taste it, the creamy character of cheese comes through, followed by the savory flavor of soy sauce.
The flavor of Kita no Oichiizu gradually spreads throughout your mouth as you chew. Its saki-ika-like texture gives it a pleasant chewiness without being overly strong or difficult to eat.
The result is a mild and approachable snack with a satisfying savory taste. The unusual combination of cheese and soy sauce makes it particularly memorable for visitors looking to discover something different from Hokkaido.
Kita no Oichiizu is especially well suited as a snack with beer or other drinks. Its rich umami flavor and chewy texture make it an excellent accompaniment when enjoying a drink.
At the same time, its easy-to-eat texture makes it suitable as a snack for children as well. It is a versatile Hokkaido treat that can be enjoyed by people of different ages.
Kita no Oichiizu can also be enjoyed with a simple Japanese staple: hot steamed rice. Mix the cheese into freshly cooked rice and wait until the heat begins to melt the cheese. The combination creates another delicious way to enjoy its rich dairy and savory soy sauce flavors.
From a beer snack to a casual rice topping, Kita no Oichiizu is a creative Hokkaido food product that combines local dairy ingredients with familiar Japanese flavors in an unexpected form.