がんもどき

がんもどき is a traditional Japanese fried tofu ball, popular in simmered dishes.

Writing

• Can be written as 雁擬(がんもどき) but usually in hiragana
• 雁(がん) (wild goose) + 擬(もど)き (imitation)
• Originally meant to imitate the taste of wild goose

Forms

• Often shortened to がんも
• Called ひろうす or ひりょうず in the Kansai region

Cultural note

• Mashed 豆腐(とうふ) (tofu)
• Mixed with vegetables like 人参(にんじん), 牛蒡(ごぼう), 蓮根(れんこん)
• Sometimes includes 山芋(やまいも) (mountain yam) as binder
• Deep-fried until golden

Related words

• おでん (oden hot pot)
• 煮物(にもの) (simmered dishes)
• 味噌汁(みそしる) (miso soup)

Usage

• Often blanched (油抜(あぶらぬ)き) to remove excess oil before simmering