What Is Mehari-zushi?

Mehari-zushi is a simple regional dish in which white rice is wrapped in pickled takana (mustard greens) leaves.

There are several variations depending on the household or region.
For example, there are slight differences such as chopping the stems of the takana and mixing them into white rice, or wrapping sushi rice instead of plain rice.

Mehari-zushi spread as a portable food to carry when going out for farm work or mountain labor, and became a regional flavor.

Mehari-zushi Took Root and Developed in the Kumano Region—What Is Its History?

Mehari-zushi was created and spread mainly in the southern part of Wakayama Prefecture, in Shingu and the Kumano region.
In this area, where forestry and fishing flourished, the sight of people heading to work carrying mehari-zushi was apparently common.

Mehari-zushi is characterized by being simple and large; there are various theories about the origin of its name, such as that it comes from opening your eyes wide (me wo haru) as you take a big bite, or from being so delicious it makes your eyes widen.

Takana, the star of mehari-zushi, could be cultivated not only in flatlands but also in mountainous areas.
The harvested takana is salt-pickled in winter and used for mehari-zushi.

In poorer times, some regions wrapped barley rice instead of white rice, or included grilled fish or river-fish tsukudani (simmered in soy sauce) as fillings.
Plain yet delicious, mehari-zushi lets you taste flavors born from the wisdom of daily life—that is its charm.

How to Enjoy Mehari-zushi at Its Best

There are many ways to arrange mehari-zushi depending on the household or region, but here is the basic method.

1. Make a seasoning liquid with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
2. Pickle the takana leaves in the seasoning liquid for one day (there is also a method of soaking the chopped stems as well).
3. Wrap the chopped stems in white rice and shape into a ball.
4. Wrap step 3 in a double layer of takana leaves, and it is complete.

When wrapping the rice in takana leaves, wrapping them so they do not wrinkle gives a better texture.

Renowned Restaurants Where You Can Eat Mehari-zushi

Mehari-zushi has a strong image as home cooking, but of course you can also eat it at restaurants.
Here we introduce a few places where you can enjoy delicious mehari-zushi.

Sohonke Mehariya

Sohonke Mehariya is popular for its delicious takana seasoned with a secret sauce.
Though it is classic mehari-zushi with a simple flavor, it is generously sized and enjoys steady popularity.

You can savor the harmony of the fluffy rice's mellow sweetness and the texture of the takana.

Name: Sohonke Mehariya
Address: 5-6 Yakushimachi, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone: 0735-21-1238
Website: http://www.mehariya.co.jp/

Kiraku

If you want to eat delicious mehari-zushi in Kumano, Kiraku is recommended.

Because they take the extra step of removing the salt, the flavor soaks into the takana in Kiraku's mehari-zushi, and its slightly smaller size makes it pleasantly easy to eat.
The sharp, spicy kick also stimulates the appetite.

Name: Kiraku
Address: 653-14 Idocho, Kumano City
Phone: 0597-85-2336
Website: None

Roadside Station Kihocho Umigame Koen (Sea Turtle Park)

Mehari-zushi, representative of everyday flavors, can also be purchased at roadside stations.

In particular, the mehari-zushi at the Kihocho Umigame Koen roadside station features fluffy rice mixed with chopped takuan (pickled radish), wrapped in locally grown takana.
Its warm, comforting deliciousness, reminiscent of mom's cooking, is protected by the local mothers.

Name: Roadside Station Kihocho Umigame Koen
Address: 568-7 Ida, Kiho Town, Minamimuro District
Phone: 0735-33-0300
Website: https://umigamekouen.com/