Inakaya Wappa Meshi
Wappa meshi is Inakaya's Niigata specialty: dashi-seasoned rice and toppings are steamed in a round bentwood vessel. Salmon and ikura are the best-known pairing, with crab, chicken and...
At a glance
| Name | Inakaya Wappa Meshi (Wappa Meshi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Niigata |
| Region | Chubu |
| Type | Trademarked steamed rice in a bentwood vessel |
What is it?
Wappa meshi is Inakaya's Niigata specialty: dashi-seasoned rice and toppings are steamed in a round bentwood vessel. Salmon and ikura are the best-known pairing, with crab, chicken and seasonal fish also used.
It is a registered restaurant dish developed and commercialized by Inakaya in the 1950s, not an anonymous household food from ancient times.
History and local context
Inakaya's salmon-and-roe version uses Niigata rice, bonito and kombu dashi, salted salmon, soy-marinated ikura and aonori before steaming in the wood vessel.
Official Niigata pages differ on a single invention year, so the defensible account is that Inakaya developed it in the 1950s. The story of advice from Kitaoji Rosanjin is the restaurant's own history.
How to enjoy it
Open the lid carefully, smell the wood and dashi, and taste the rice before combining small amounts of salmon and roe.
This trademarked restaurant dish is not presented as a copy-at-home recipe. Check Inakaya's current menu, prices, reservations and opening days.
This is a branded commercial confection; compare the maker and authorized seller when purchasing.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Inakaya Wappa Meshi from?
It is associated with Niigata, in the Chubu region of Japan.
What kind of food is Inakaya Wappa Meshi?
This guide classifies it as trademarked steamed rice in a bentwood vessel. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Inakaya Wappa Meshi 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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