noun
hōtō; flat udon noodles in vegetable soup
A regional dish from Yamanashi Prefecture, consisting of wide, flat wheat noodles simmered in a miso-based broth with seasonal vegetables.
山梨県に行ったら、ほうとうを食べてみたい。
When I go to Yamanashi Prefecture, I want to try hōtō.
寒い日には、温かいほうとうが一番だ。
On a cold day, nothing beats a hot bowl of hōtō.
Udon noodles are generally thinner and rounder, while hōtō noodles are wider and flatter. Hōtō is also a specific regional dish, not just a noodle type.
The origin of the word is uncertain. The kanji 餺飥 are rare and possibly ateji. The dish is strongly associated with Yamanashi Prefecture.