Japan's first sushi can be preserved for up to 100 years?

Narezushi is said to be Japan's first original sushi

Historically, since the 2nd century AD, Narezushi has been a popular dish in Southeast Asia. However, it was not until the 10th century (there are documents that say the 8th century) that this Narezushi dish appeared in Japan.

At this time, in Japan, Narezushi only develops within the family, which means that although the basic method is the same, each family will have its own recipe and pass it on from generation to generation.

According to Ohashi, the chef at the Lake Biwa Marriott hotel, Narezushi in the past was considered a primitive type of sushi, but it was completely different from the sushi or sashimi we are used to seeing today. "It's like blue cheese and has a very strong smell."

How to make Narezushi

In the old days when refrigerators did not appear, the Japanese used 2 main ingredients, salt and rice, to ferment fish with the aim of preserving fish for as long as possible. There are many types of fish that can be made into Narezushi such as mackerel, orange fish, ayu fish, but the most popular fish is nigorobuna fish in the area of Lake Biwa (the largest lake in Japan, located north of Kyoto). .

First, people will scale and remove the intestines of the fish and then put the fish in salt to brew for a few months. Then, the fish will be mixed with rice to ferment. Just storing such fish at room temperature, where there is little light, the fish can be preserved for several months, years, even decades.

Originally, for millennia, the Japanese ate only fish and discarded the fermented rice. But within the last 1500 years, people began to eat fish with fermented rice and gradually this dish developed into modern sushi today.

How do Japanese people enjoy Narezushi?

Narezushi is usually sold with the whole fish on top, covered with a little yogurt-like sauce. When eating, people will use a knife to cut the fish into thin slices and arrange them on a layer of fermented rice.

Sometimes, the Japanese even cook Narezushi into porridge or fry it over high heat. No matter how it is prepared, Narezushi is a special dish for your meal with a very strong scent and characteristic sour taste.

Therefore, not everyone who has tasted Narezushi for the first time can successfully pass it. However, once you have eaten it, you will fully feel the unmistakable delicious taste of this age-old dish.

Places to enjoy Narezushi

If you're in Japan, Narezushi is actually pretty easy to find, and it's even sold on Amazon. However, if you want to enjoy authentic Narezushi, you have to find traditional restaurants along the shores of Lake Biwa.

Typically, two famous restaurants such as Kimura (725 Gosanjocho, Hikone-shi, Shiga) or Korian (2307 Makinochokaizu, Takashima 520 -1811, Shiga), are located on the northwest edge of Lake Biwa.

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