Hakusan Sasa-zushi
At a glance
| Name | Hakusan Sasa-zushi (Sasa-zushi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Ishikawa |
| Region | Chubu |
| Type | Pressed sushi wrapped between two bamboo leaves |
What is it?
Ishikawa sasa-zushi sandwiches vinegared rice and fish such as salmon, trout, mahi-mahi or sea bream between two broad bamboo leaves, packs the parcels in a box and weights them into compact pressed sushi.
History and local context
It is indispensable festival food in the Hakusan foothills and parts of Noto. Fried tofu may replace fish, while sansho leaves, ginger, lemon, sesame, sakura shrimp and blue-tinted tengusa called kon-nori create highly local versions.
How to enjoy it
Unwrap the leaves, which perfume and protect the sushi but are not normally eaten, then serve at cool room temperature. Keep fish sushi refrigerated, observe the maker's use-by date and note that its pressed form differs from the open bamboo-leaf sushi of Niigata and Nagano.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hakusan Sasa-zushi from?
It is associated with Ishikawa, in the Chubu region of Japan.
What kind of food is Hakusan Sasa-zushi?
This guide classifies it as pressed sushi wrapped between two bamboo leaves. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Hakusan Sasa-zushi online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
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