Chisha-momi (Chisha Namasu)
Chisha-momi is a Chugoku-Shikoku home dish of leaf lettuce torn by hand, salted and massaged, rinsed and squeezed, then dressed with vinegar, miso or soy sauce and fish. Kita-Hiroshima pairs...
At a glance
| Name | Chisha-momi (Chisha Namasu) (Chisha-momi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Hiroshima |
| Region | Chugoku |
| Type | Massaged lettuce with vinegared seasoning and fish |
What is it?
Chisha-momi is a Chugoku-Shikoku home dish of leaf lettuce torn by hand, salted and massaged, rinsed and squeezed, then dressed with vinegar, miso or soy sauce and fish. Kita-Hiroshima pairs it with grilled salted mackerel; Yamaguchi versions use dried sardines, shirasu or seaweed.
Also called chisha namasu, it varies across Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Okayama and Kagawa. It resembles a salad, but wilting the leaves and layering sour seasoning with fish umami are essential.
History and local context
Hiroshima records the Chiyoda area of Kitahiroshima as a lettuce-producing district and describes this as an old rice-planting-season dish. Yamaguchi documents an iriko-miso version once eaten across the prefecture.
Fish is not fixed: salted mackerel, roasted dried sardines, shirasu and vinegared fish reflect locality and household supplies.
How to enjoy it
Dress it immediately before serving while the lettuce retains texture. Adjust the sauce after tasting the salt in the fish, and check fish, sesame and soy allergens.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chisha-momi (Chisha Namasu) from?
It is associated with Hiroshima, in the Chugoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Chisha-momi (Chisha Namasu)?
This guide classifies it as massaged lettuce with vinegared seasoning and fish. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Chisha-momi (Chisha Namasu) online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
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