Hinai Jidori Honpo

Hinai-jidori is one of Japan's three most prestigious chicken breeds, raised free-range in the mountains of northern Akita. This small restaurant in central Akita city serves the bird in its most authentic preparations: kiritanpo nabe (a hot pot with pounded rice sticks in rich chicken broth), simple yakitori, and tataki (lightly seared sashimi-style). The deep, gamey flavor is completely different from conventional chicken, and the broth made from Hinai bones is extraordinarily rich.