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Drink · Japan
Nihonshu
Japanese sake, a fermented beverage made from rice, koji and water. It is an official geographical indication of Japan and is served chilled, at room temperature, or warm, in small cups.
Flavors · Toyama
Masuzushi
Pressed sushi of cured trout on seasoned rice, in a round wooden box lined with bamboo leaves. It’s Toyama’s most famous dish, sold in specialty shops and as a train snack.
Traditional dish from Toyama, Toyama
Also known as: Masu-zushi, Masu no sushi, ます寿司, 鱒寿司
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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Masuzushi — Toyama, Japan
Masuzushi is a pressed sushi. In a round, thin wooden box (wappa) lined with bamboo leaves arranged like spokes, seasoned rice with vinegar is placed and topped with slices of trout (masu) cured in salt and vinegar, pink in color. The leaves are folded over, the box is closed and a weight is applied. Resting on the leaves develops the flavor.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, it is Toyama’s most famous local dish. Its origin is traced to the early 18th century: a samurai from the Toyama domain is said to have prepared ayu fish sushi for his lord, who offered it to shogun Yoshimune, and the shogun’s praise made the sushi famous. Later, sakuramasu trout that ascend the Jinzu River in spring came to be used.
Masuzushi became known nationwide in the early 20th century, when it began to be sold as a train snack. There are single-layer and double-layer versions, and each shop has its own fish thickness, vinegar and pressing level.
In the city of Toyama alone there are more than twenty specialty shops, and many locals have a favorite. Few people make it at home: it’s bought ready for parties, Obon, New Year or as a gift. To serve, the round box is cut into slices like a cake.
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Where it comes from
Toyama , Toyama
Toyama’s most famous dish, with dozens of specialty shops in the city.
Ingredients
Seasoned rice with vinegar, trout (masu) cured in salt and vinegar, bamboo leaves, round wooden box.
How it is eaten
Open the box, remove the leaves and cut into slices like a cake. It’s eaten at room temperature, at home, while traveling or at parties.
When it is eaten
All year; often bought for parties, Obon, New Year and as gifts.
Your questions
Questions about Masuzushi
How do you eat masuzushi?
Open the round box, remove the bamboo leaves and cut the sushi into slices like a cake. It’s eaten at room temperature, at home, while traveling or at parties.
Where to buy masuzushi in Toyama?
The city of Toyama has more than twenty specialty shops, and masuzushi is also sold at train stations as a travel snack.
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Dish · Iwate
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Sweet · Kagoshima
Shirokuma
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Dish · Miyajima
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Dish · Nagasaki
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Sweet · Nagasaki
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Miso-nikomi udon
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Dish · Nara
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Dish · Okinawa
Okinawa soba
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Dish · Osaka
Takoyaki
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Dish · Kyoto
Saba-zushi
Salted and vinegar-marinated mackerel sushi on a rice log, wrapped in bamboo sheath. A celebratory dish of Kyoto, tied to the Saba Kaido, the route that brought mackerel from the Wakasa Sea.
Dish · Sendai
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Beyond the guide
