The ぽーぽー Pōpō of Okinawa is traditionally prepared during the “Yukkanuhi” ゆっかぬひー festival.
The pōpō is prepared as a sweet or savory snack and is symbolic of the connection with ancestors and family blessings.
It is prepared by creating a batter similar to that of a crepe (hence it is also called Okinawan crepe) with wheat flour and water, fried in a pan or another flat pot, then topped with oily miso paste: andansū (あんだんす), a typical Okinawan seasoning made with miso and pork lard.
We tasted it during our trip to Okinawa in March 2025, enhanced with green onions.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Seasonality: Spring, All seasons
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon dashi broth (granular)
- 2 cups water
- to taste andansū
- 2 green onions
- to taste vegetable oil
Steps
After mixing the flour and sugar, gradually add the water,
continuing to beat until smooth.Heat the oil.
Pour the batter a bit thicker than a crepe.
Cook slowly over low heat
Flip and cook the other side slightly.
Remove from heat and place on a rack or baking sheet to cool (put on the other side).
Spread the andansu (abura miso) over the surface.
Roll it from one edge.
In Okinawa, there is a dessert called “chinbin” similar to pōpō.
The chinbin is also a dessert made with a dough of wheat flour and Okinawan brown sugar (kokuto) with a dark color, rolled into a thin strip.
The pōpō and chinbin were originally different recipes, but the former is called white pōpō and the latter red pōpō, and in modern times, the distinction between the two is gradually disappearing.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What is andansū?
Andansū is a condiment widely used in Okinawan cuisine, often used to flavor dishes like stews or meat dishes.
Its umami taste and the richness of the lard pair well with the neutral flavor of pōpō.What is Yukkanuhi?
Yukkanuhi is celebrated on the 5th month, the 4th day of the lunar year. Yukkanuhi means “4th day” in the Okinawan language. It is a day of prayer for good fortune in fishing and maritime activities and a day of celebration with traditional haarii (dragon boat) races. It usually occurs towards the end of the rainy season.
It is observed to pray for the healthy growth of children. Toys are often given as gifts, and a special “toy city” is set up near where the races are held.
The 5th day of the 5th month, known as gungwachi gunichi (五月五日, meaning “5th month 5th day” in the Okinawan language), is the boy’s day, also known as children’s day in the Japanese calendar (originally “tengu no sekku” 端午の節句).
This is a day to spend together with family, watching haarii races and enjoying popo and chinpin.
