Jigoku-mushi is a traditional cooking method from Beppu that uses natural hot spring steam to prepare food. The name literally means “hell steaming,” inspired by the area’s famous geothermal sites. Instead of boiling or grilling, ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, eggs, and pork are placed in special steaming pots over vents that release mineral-rich steam from the earth. The result is tender, flavorful food that retains its natural taste and nutrients, often with a subtle hint of the hot spring minerals.