Sushi, which boasts a long history, has distinctive features that vary from region to region, and there are many kinds of sushi beyond the Edomae nigiri sushi. One of them is "chakin sushi." It is a cute-looking sushi perfect for special occasions, but some people may not be familiar with it even when they hear the name chakin sushi. This time, we will introduce what chakin sushi is, along with the history of chakin sushi, its recipe, famous restaurants, and more.

What is Chakin Sushi?

"Chakin sushi" is a type of wrapped sushi in which vinegared rice is wrapped in a thin sheet of nishikidamago (thin omelet), and it is also called "kinchaku sushi" or "fukusa sushi."
The vinegared rice wrapped inside chakin sushi is often a gomoku sushi using both bounties of the sea and the mountains, such as seafood, shiitake mushrooms, and sesame, but the fillings differ depending on the region and the restaurant.

The fillings of chakin sushi vary by restaurant, but the chakin sushi of "Yusyoku," known as the restaurant where chakin sushi originated, contains chestnuts in vinegared rice sprinkled with sesame and finely chopped seafood, giving it a relatively light and refined flavor.
Also, the string used to tie it up varies by restaurant, such as kombu, kanpyo (dried gourd strips), or mitsuba (Japanese honewort).

Incidentally, the "chakin" in chakin sushi refers to the cloth used to wipe the tea bowl in the tea ceremony, and "chakin shibori" refers to a shape made by wrapping and squeezing something with a cloth, a technique also used in Japanese sweets.

The filling of chakin sushi (Yusyoku)

The Glamorous History of Chakin Sushi, Born in the Imperial Court

The origin of chakin sushi dates back to the 12th year of the Taisho era (1923).
It is said to have begun when Gitaro Ohara, an imperial kitchen chef serving the Fushiminomiya household, served sushi using a thin omelet likened to a chakin (tea cloth) at a tea gathering. It won great acclaim, and he was given the name "chakin" by His Imperial Highness.

Later, in the 8th year of the Showa era (1933), Gitaro Ohara founded "Yusyoku" in Akasaka, Tokyo, specializing in chakin sushi, chimaki sushi, and the like.
Partly because he was close with Mr. Taizo Akiyama, the cook for Emperor Showa, he provided chakin sushi and chimaki sushi to the Imperial Household Agency, and came to be known as a famous chakin sushi restaurant, to the point that Yusyoku became synonymous with chakin sushi.

At first, the name "chakin sushi" was a trademark, but out of the restaurant's wish to spread chakin sushi, they reportedly gave up the trademark registration.
The old signboard reading "Registered Trademark: Chakin Sushi" still remains today, which is quite a stylish episode.

A Delicious Chakin Sushi Recipe

There are various ways to adapt chakin sushi depending on the region and household, but here is the basic way to make it.

Chakin sushi may look difficult at first glance, but it can be made easily by using store-bought gomoku sushi or chirashi sushi mixes.
The key points are to cook the egg neatly and to wrap the folds beautifully.

<Basic Recipe for Chakin Sushi>

1. Prepare vinegared rice (here is how to make vinegared rice. It is also OK to use a store-bought vinegared rice mix).
2. Beat the eggs and add sugar, dashi stock, and salt, then mix gently and well.
3. Add potato starch dissolved in an equal amount of water and mix, then spread it thinly in a frying pan and cook; once the top is dry, cook the other side.
4. After cooling the egg on a plate or the like, wrap the vinegared rice.
5. Gather the top of the wrapped egg and tie it with kombu, kanpyo, mitsuba, or the like (it is OK not to tie it).

You can also see a detailed recipe here, so please use it as a reference and make a lovely homemade chakin sushi.

Sushi in Heart-Stirring Spring Colors! How to Make Chakin Sushi

This is a recipe for cute chakin sushi using mitsuba.
The method is also explained clearly in a video.

[Restaurant-Quality Meals at Home] Vol.14 Izuu / Chakin Sushi

This is an authentic chakin sushi recipe explained by a Japanese restaurant so that even amateurs can make it.
It is the square type that is not gathered, and it also explains how to handle the ingredients, such as how to grill conger eel.

I Want to Eat Chakin Sushi Right Now! Introducing Famous Chakin Sushi Restaurants

Although chakin sushi has a strong association with the Kansai region, it actually originated at a restaurant in Tokyo, so most of the famous shops are in Tokyo.
Here we introduce restaurants where you can enjoy delicious chakin sushi.

[Tokyo / Akasaka] The Birthplace of Chakin Sushi: Yusyoku (formerly Fukuzuchi)

This is a long-established restaurant known as the birthplace of chakin sushi, which we also introduced in the history of chakin sushi.
The name "Yusyoku" was given after the word "yusoku kojitsu," which refers to the ceremonies performed by the imperial court and court nobles and the scholarship that studies them, because the founder served the imperial court.
It is a famous chakin sushi restaurant that has overcome various difficulties and remains in business today while preserving its traditional flavor; if you want to eat chakin sushi, this is the first place you should visit.

The one used in the top image is Yusyoku's chakin sushi. As of October 2023, the price is 843 yen for one chakin sushi and 1,037 yen for two Fushimi (small chakin).
At department stores and the like, it is offered at Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku Main Store, Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C., and Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, and it is also sold online on the official website.

Shop name: Chakaiseki Sushi no Yusyoku (formerly Fukuzuchi)
Address: B1 Nagatacho Hoso Building, 2-2-21 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052
Phone: 0335607577
Website: https://www.akasaka-yusyoku.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NVpb9GS6pqx3EUAp9

[Tokyo / Yotsuya] Osaka Zushi Hachiku

"Hachiku" is a long-established restaurant that opened in the 13th year of the Taisho era (1924), the year after chakin sushi is said to have made its debut.
It is a takeout-only restaurant famous for chakin sushi, specializing in chakin sushi and Osaka sushi.
It used to be located at department stores such as Shinjuku Takashimaya and at Tsukiji, but now only the main store in Yotsuya remains.
As of October 2023, the price is 600 yen for one chakin zushi and 1,780 yen for a serving of hako zushi, and it also offers many other kinds of Kansai sushi.

Shop name: Osaka Zushi Hachiku
Address: 1st Floor, Hachiku Building, 3-11 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
Phone: 0333518989
Website: https://yotsuya-hachiku.co.jp/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZoZL7TtW4VnZme5A7

[Osaka / Osaka City] Yoshino Sushi

Yoshino Sushi is a long-established Osaka restaurant specializing in hako sushi and chakin sushi, founded in the 12th year of the Tenpo era (1841).
It is a restaurant that has even appeared in the manga "Oishinbo," with dining seats on the second floor, making it convenient if you want to eat chakin sushi in Osaka.
Note that the dining seats may be closed due to COVID-19 and the like, so it is necessary to check before visiting.
As of October 2023, sets such as inari chakin for 850 yen and anago inari chakin for 1,150 yen are offered.

Shop name: Yoshino Sushi
Address: 3-4-14 Awajimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 541-0047
Phone: 0662317181
Website: https://www.yoshino-sushi.co.jp/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAFLSC1v3uTg1x2B8

[Nationwide Chain] Kyotaru Chakin Zushi

At Kyotaru, known as a nationwide chain from Sendai to Okayama, chakin sushi is sold under the name "chakin zushi" as its signature product.
The filling wrapped in thin omelet is vinegared rice mixed with chopped conger eel, yuzu, kanpyo, shiitake, kikurage (wood ear mushroom), and more.
At the "90th Anniversary Grand Thanksgiving Festival" held in 2023, they also sold the "Kando Hime Chakin Zushi," which contained 90 of the smaller-than-usual "Hime Chakin Zushi," conveying the strength of their affection for it.
As of October 2023, the price is an attractive and reasonable 220 yen for one chakin zushi and 250 yen for one of Kyotaru's traditional chakin zushi.

Shop name: Kyotaru Co., Ltd.
Website: https://www.kyotaru.co.jp/