【Reading】いもがらいりふとまきずし

【English Name】Imogara Futomaki Sushi

Imogara-iri futomaki-zushi is a thick-rolled sushi wrapped with imogara (dried taro stems) as a filling, and is widely recognized as a local food centered on Saitama Prefecture.

Imogara (zuiki) is a traditional dried ingredient made possible to preserve long-term by sun-drying the leaf stalks of taro; after being sufficiently softened by reconstituting in water, it is thoroughly infused with flavor in a sweet-and-savory simmering broth before being used as a thick-roll filling. The general style is to roll it combined with familiar fillings such as kanpyo, rolled omelet, and cucumber.

Imogara has been valued as a portable food and military provision since the Warring States period, and is deeply connected with rural life culture. It has been handed down across generations as an indispensable dish for ceremonial occasions such as weddings, funerals, and local festivals.

It has a unique character in texture, and the crisp bite of the softened imogara brings a pleasant accent to the whole thick roll. It also has high affinity with vinegared rice, and its simple yet deep savor is its distinctive feature. In recent years, opportunities for home cooking have decreased, but activities to preserve and pass it on as a local traditional food continue.