Inari sushi, which has an attractive sweet and salty seasoning, is one of the sushi that is familiar to Japanese people.
In addition to making it at home, there are many opportunities to purchase it as a snack, or to eat it served at ceremonial occasions.
What kind of dish is inari sushi, which has different flavors and shapes depending on the family and region?
We will explain inarizushi in detail, including its origin and history.
What is inari sushi?
Inari sushi has other names such as Aburage sushi,”Kitsune sushi,” Oinari-san,” andShinoda zushi,” and it is a sushi that is extremely loved by the Japanese people.
The form and method of making inari sushi vary slightly depending on the household and region, but the general definition is “a bag of sweet and spicy boiled fried tofu spread out and stuffed with vinegared rice.” It is a type of sushi because it uses rice, and falls under the category of inro sushi.
In the general sense, is Eoinari-san sushi? You may think that, but it can be said that it is a type of local sushi such as pressed sushi and carp sushi, and it is a different type from nigiri sushi in so-called Edomae sushi, but inari sushi can also be said to be a fine type of sushi. .
Origin of Inarizushi
There are various theories about the origin of inari sushi, but the general theory is that it originated in Nagoya and Edo around the Tenpo era (1830-1844).
In addition, in the temple town of Toyokawa Inari, one of Japan’s three major Inari shrines, there is a sushi called “Aburagezushi”, and some say that this is the origin of Inarizushi. Toyokawa Inari is widely known as one of the birthplaces of inari sushi, as inari sushi has been served to worshipers since ancient times.
In any case, we know from surviving documents that Inarizushi was popular in Edo. There are stories of how cheap Inari sushi quickly became popular when extravagance was prohibited due to the Tenpo Reforms, and for people at the time, it was probably considered a casual street food.
Inarizushi and Hatsuuma
Inari sushi is known as a typical popular sushi, but it is also used as an offering at the Shinto ritual called Hatsuumasai.
Hatsuuma is a traditional Japanese event to worship the god of grain, and it is held on Hatsuuma, the first “Uno Day” in February (Hatsuuma Day in 2022 and 2023 is February 5th, 2024 On this day (February 12, 2025; February 6, 2025), a festival called “Hatsuumasai” is held at Inari shrines across the country, and offerings are made to the grain god to pray for a rich harvest. However, inari sushi is used there.
Inari sushi is thus both a popular sushi and also used in Shinto rituals, making it a culturally rich sushi that can be seen from both sides of Japanese popular culture and traditional Shinto rituals.
Origin of the name Inarizushi
The origin of the name Inari sushi is said to come from the favorite food of foxes, the messengers of Inari, the god of agriculture who symbolizes rice.
Since ancient times, it has been said that foxes’ favorite food was mice, so deep-fried mice were originally offered as offerings at Inari Shrine. After that, fried tofu was served instead of mice, and it is said that sushi made with fried tofu came to be called inari sushi” orkitsune sushi.”
Inari sushi is also sometimes referred to as Shinoda sushi,” which is also related to the female white fox that appears inThe Legend of Shinta Forest” in Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture. According to the Edo period encyclopedia Mori Sada Manko,” sushi that used fried tofu, which foxes liked, came to be calledShinoda sushi” or “Inari sushi.” And.
How to make inari sushi
Many people buy cheap and delicious inari sushi at supermarkets and convenience stores as a meal or something to snack on when they get hungry, but you can also make it yourself.
The basic steps for making Inari sushi are as follows.
Fried tofu is a perishable food, but if you boil it in a sweet and spicy way and freeze it, it will be convenient the next time you make inari sushi.
Ingredients (for 8 pieces)
Rice vinegar…1 tablespoon
Sugar…1 teaspoon
Salt…1/4 teaspoon
・Cut a square piece of aburaage horizontally or diagonally, insert your finger through the cut end, and spread it out to both ends.
・Boil the aburaage for 2 to 3 minutes to remove the oil, then soak in water and squeeze out the water.
・Arrange the drained tofu in a pan, mix the seasonings from A in a separate container, and add to the pan.
Heat over medium heat, bring to a boil, then cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
When the broth is almost gone, let the pot cool.
Pour the sushi vinegar from B onto the hot rice and mix.
・Once everything is mixed, spread out the vinegared rice and cool it with a fan, then add the sesame seeds and mix.
(If you want to know more about how to make vinegared rice, please click here)
・Lightly squeeze out the broth from the aburaage and roll each piece of vinegared rice into balls.
Take the aburaage, add the rolled vinegared rice, and squeeze the whole thing like a rice ball to complete it.
Nutrition of inari sushi
The calorie content of Inari sushi is approximately 115kcal per piece (105g).
Inari sushi is a type of sushi that is often seen as relatively simple, but fried tofu is made from plant-based ingredients, and in addition to high-quality protein, it contains abundant minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, as well as nutrients such as vitamin B1 and folic acid. Masu.
In addition, the isoflavones contained in soybeans, which are the ingredients for deep-fried tofu, are said to have antioxidant properties, so inari sushi is surprisingly rich in nutrients.
Various inari sushi
Inari sushi has a long history and is associated with Inari worship throughout Japan, and there are many variations. In addition to the taste passed down in each family, each region has its own characteristics. I will introduce some of them.
difference in taste
Inari sushi is a simple dish, but the taste changes depending on the seasoning of the fried tofu and the amount of sugar in the vinegared rice. As a general rule, the flavor of inari sushi tends to be more intense as you go north, and it tends to be lighter as you go south.
It may be a good idea to imagine the difference in flavor between Tokyo and Kyoto, not just inari sushi. Tokyo has a strong flavor, while Kyoto has a gentle flavor.
This image is also reflected in the seasoning of inari sushi.
Difference in shape
Inari sushi has different shapes depending on the region.
Most inari sushi is shaped like a long, thin straw bag, but in the Kansai area, many places make it triangular to imitate fox ears.
Variations of inari sushi
Inari sushi, which became popular in the Edo period, is said to have had kanpyo and wood ear mushrooms as ingredients.
Today’s Inari sushi typically uses ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, lotus root, and carrots. Aichi and Aomori prefectures also have inari sushi as one of their local dishes. Inarizushi from Aomori Prefecture in particular has red ginger added to it, giving it a distinctive bright pink color.
Famous Inarizushi restaurant
There are famous restaurants all over Japan that serve delicious inari sushi.
I would definitely like to try the taste of this famous restaurant, which is a little different from the inari sushi that I am used to.
Here we will introduce Inarizushi from a famous restaurant that you should try at least once.
Inarizushi Ajigin
If you’re looking for Tokyo-style inari sushi with strong flavors, we recommend Migin, a restaurant that specializes in seaweed rolls and inari sushi.
The shiny golden-brown Ajigin Inarizushi has an outstanding presence with its thin fried tofu. The exquisite texture of the rice and the Tokyo-style sweet and spicy flavor are the restaurant’s signature features.
Store name: Inarizushi Ajigin
Address: 2-14-6 Narihira, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Sushi restaurant Kanryu
Kanryu is located in Osaka’s Kitashinchi entertainment district. As a stylish town, Kanryu’s Inarizushi is famous for its Koinari” Inari sushi. Koinari is a cute bite-sized inari sushi that was born from a play on the words “small inari.”Namida no Koi Nari” with wasabi on top is also very popular, as is the name.
Store name: Sushidokoro Kanryu
Address: 4F Espacion Yamada Building, 1-10-1 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Misebuya of fried sushi
“Agedezushi Misetakeya” is a store specializing in fried sushi. We offer fried sushi (inari sushi) with a variety of seasonings. The restaurant is located in a residential area, so it’s a little hard to find, but it’s an inari sushi restaurant that only those in the know know.
Store name: Agezushi no Misetakeya
Address: 504 Monma Saigo, Kisogawa-cho, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture
3 reputable stores where you can buy online
Don’t you think it’s difficult to buy Inari sushi online?
In fact, you can buy delicious inari sushi online.
Here are three recommended choices.
Mitsuhashi rice frozen inari sushi
This is inari sushi, which has a reputation for being easy to eat in the microwave, yet offering authentic deliciousness.
Mitsuhashi Rice’s frozen inari sushi is a little small, so it’s great for parties, late night snacks, and lunch boxes!
Hanshin Shuhan Inariage with Kyoto seasoning
This product from Hanshin Sakehan became extremely popular due to its elegant Kyoto-style seasoning, and has sold over 50,000 items in total.
Inariage, which contains no food additives or preservatives, brings out its mellow taste. You need to make vinegared rice at home, but it’s delicious as is, like with kitsune udon!
Mametanuki
Mametanuki, a specialty inari sushi restaurant that originated in Osaka, is known for its sophisticated taste that is familiar even in department store basements. The fluffy, unique sweetness and slowly cooked ingredients create the signature taste of Western Inarizushi.
