Sushi rolls have been popular not only at sushi restaurants but also at home and bento shops for a long time. There are many types of sushi rolls, but one of the most well-known sushi rolls is “Kanpyo-maki.”
This time, I would like to introduce some basic knowledge about Kanpyo-maki and some delicious restaurants where you can eat Kanpyo-maki!
What is Kanpyo Maki?
Kanpyo (dried gourd) is a fruit called Yugao, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which is peeled and dried into long strips.It is rehydrated and used in sushi and stews. Kanpyo-maki, as the name suggests, is a type of sushi roll made by wrapping kanpyo in seaweed and sushi rice, and is generally served in thin rolls.
Kanpyo is generally rehydrated and then boiled, and when boiling, soy sauce and sugar are added for flavor. This seasoning is what makes a sushi restaurant unique, and in the past it was said that the taste of the kanpyo rolls could tell the quality of the restaurant and the skill of the chef.
This is a traditional sushi roll that has been popular since the Edo period.It is sometimes called teppōmaki” because the rolled shape resembles a gun, and the main trading area for kanpyo was Kizu Market in Osaka. For this reason, it is sometimes calledKizu” in the industry term for sushi restaurants.
Although kanpyo is low in calories, it is also rich in nutrients such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron, as well as dietary fiber.
History of Kanpyo Maki
Maki sushi is also known as one of the standard Edomae sushi, but its history is older than nigiri sushi, and its roots are thought to be a type of fermented sushi bar sushi, and sushi rolls similar to the modern form date back to the Edo period. It is thought that it began around 1750-1776 based on materials such as .
Kanpyo rolls are mentioned in Morisada Manko, an encyclopedia of the Edo period, published in 1810 as Kanpyo hosomaki, and by about the latter half of the 18th century, they had become part of the diet of the common people. It can be said that it has become a part of daily life.
During the Edo period, various popular cultures blossomed and the food environment underwent major changes. Kanpyo rolls added color to the diet of common people.
How to eat Kanpyo Maki
For tuna rolls such as Tekka-maki, the cross-section is square and cut into six pieces, but for Kanpyo-maki, it is customary to roll it into a circle and cut it into four pieces. The size of the kanpyo, which is about the size of a quarter, allows you to fully enjoy the long, slender kanpyo.
Also, when you order kanpyo rolls at a sushi restaurant, you will sometimes be asked, “Can you add wasabi?” If you are hearing this for the first time, you may think that wasabi doesn’t go well with kanpyo rolls.
However, when you actually eat it, the stimulation of the wasabi perfectly complements the sweetness of the kanpyo, giving it an indescribable deliciousness. If you haven’t tried it yet, it might be a good idea to give it a try.
5 restaurants where you can eat delicious kanpyo rolls!
You can eat Kanpyo-maki at home, but I want to try the Kanpyo-maki from an authentic sushi restaurant! For those who say so, we would like to introduce a recommended restaurant where you can eat delicious kanpyo rolls.
“Asakusa Shinodazushi” (Tokyo)
The first restaurant we would like to introduce to you is Asakusa Shinota Sushi, which is located in a corner of an alley in Asakusa. Asakusa Shinota Sushi” is a famous restaurant that is said to be one of the three major Shinota sushi restaurants, along withNingyocho Shinota Sushi Main Store” and “Kanda Shinota Sushi.”
The original Ningyocho Shinota Sushi Sohonten” is a long-established sushi restaurant that was founded in 1896. One of the products that was further separated fromKanda Shinota Sushi”, which was later separated into a noren, was Asakusa Shinota Sushi”, which currently has a store in Asakusa.Dazushi”.
This is a take-out specialty store that only sells Inari Sushi” andKanpyo Maki.” You can choose a set of Inari Sushi” andKanpyo Maki,” or you can choose to have them separated.
It has a reputation for its simple yet sophisticated taste, and many people stop by just to try the Kanpyo Maki.
If you want to be sure to try the food, we recommend visiting early, as it will close once it’s sold out.
Address: 1-1-10 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closing time may be earlier), open on Sundays
Regular holiday: Wednesday (open if it is a holiday)
Budget: [Dinner] ¥1000 [Lunch] ¥1000
*Please check with the store for the latest information before visiting.
“Kanda Yoshikame” (Tokyo)
The next recommendation is Kanda Yoshikame, located in the arcade next to Kanda Station. This long-established restaurant has been in business for 70 years, and one of its highlights is not only fresh ingredients purchased daily from Toyosu Market, but also Edomae-style sushi rolls.
You can eat more than 10 kinds of rolls starting at 300 yen each, and it has a reputation for being so easy to eat that once you try one, you can’t stop eating.
There is a wide selection of items other than sushi rolls, and you can enjoy local sake with your rolls. It’s a recommended restaurant that is easy to use for any occasion, whether you’re looking for delicious Kanpyo rolls, visiting for a little luxury on your own, or just stopping by after a drink.
Address: 2-13-22 Kajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
business hours:
・Lunch (may only be available during the coronavirus pandemic) [Tuesday-Friday] (closed on Mondays) 11:30-14:00
・Night [Monday – Friday] 17:00 – 1:00 the next day (L.O. 0:30 the next day) [Saturday] 17:00 – 22:00
Closed: Sunday
Budget: [Dinner] ¥1000-2000 [Lunch] ¥7000-9000
*Please check with the store for the latest information before visiting.
“Kizushi” (Tokyo)
Kizushi, a long-established restaurant founded in 1920, is a prestigious and well-known restaurant that has been in business for 100 years, but with its friendly craftsmen and Edo-style humanity, it doesn’t feel difficult to enter.
You can enjoy the unique taste of Edomae cuisine, which is made with fresh ingredients prepared by a master who knows the ingredients well, and takes the time to pickle, marinate, and simmer.
We also have a wide selection of first-class scrolls to finish off the menu, including Tekka Maki-ya,”Himokyu-maki,” and Oboro-maki.” Among them, theKanpyo Maki,” a combination of sweet and spicy cooked Kanpyo, vinegared rice, and seaweed, is especially delicious. No matter how many times you eat Kanpyo Maki, you will never get tired of it, created by the time-consuming preparation and seasoning process that many sushi restaurants no longer do.
The owner wants you to eat whatever you want and have a satisfying time, so this is a recommended sushi restaurant where you can have a good time without having to worry about rules about order order or toppings.
Address: Kisushi, 2-7-13 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 11:45-14:30, 17:00-21:30
Closed: Sundays, holidays
Budget: [Dinner] ¥20,000-29,999 [Lunch] ¥10,000-14,999
*Please check with the store for the latest information before visiting.
“Ajigin Oshiage store” (Tokyo)
“Ajigin” is a restaurant specializing in inari sushi and rolled sushi located next to Skytree. This is a long-established store that has been in business for over 40 years.
The inari sushi, which is steeped in sweet and deep flavors, and the elegantly seasoned kanpyo rolls are exquisite. You can enjoy delicious kanpyo rolls for just 200 yen each.
Although you can eat in, many people also take it home, and the restaurant is so popular that it continues to have a steady stream of customers from mid-morning onwards.
At Ajigin, you can casually enjoy kanpyo rolls from a long-established specialty store at reasonable prices.
Address: 2-14-6 Narihira, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Budget: ¥200~
*Please check with the store for the latest information before visiting.
“Sushidokoro Yoshida” (Aichi Prefecture)
The last restaurant I would like to introduce is “Sushidokoro Yoshida” near Homi Station in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Located under an elevated railroad track, it looks like an ordinary restaurant at first glance, but it has been featured in the Michelin Guide Tokai Edition Aichi (Nagoya) 2019 and is known as a popular sushi restaurant in Aichi Prefecture.
Although it is a sushi restaurant with a casual, popular atmosphere, it serves authentic Edomae sushi. You can enjoy exquisite Kanpyo-maki along with the freshest sushi toppings, and the Kanpyo-maki with wasabi has a reputation for being so delicious that you will be moved by it.
This is a highly recommended sushi restaurant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, which has been loved by locals for a long time and has a reputation for offering authentic Edomae sushi at a reasonable price.
Address: 70-5 Daimon, Higashihomi-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
Business hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00, open on Sundays
Regular holiday: Thursday (irregular holidays including Thursday)
Budget: [Dinner] ¥1000-2000 [Lunch] ¥5000-8000
*Please check with the store for the latest information before visiting.
Simple but profound kanpyo rolls
How was it. Kanpyo Maki may seem simple at first glance, but it is a very traditional dish, and the more you get to know it, the deeper and deeper the flavor becomes.
If you have a chance, be sure to visit one of our recommended restaurants and try the delicious Kanpyo Maki!
