Travel Tips ｜ Local Food
Meharizushi
Local food of Nanki Kumano
Despite being “sushi,” meharizushi is not made with vinegared rice. Made by pressing white rice into bale shapes with your hands and wrapping them in pickled mustard leaves, this local food was mainly eaten for lunch by people working in the mountains. It is said that, in the past, meharizushi comprised barley rice pressed into bale shapes the size of softballs. They were so big that you had to open your eyes and mouth wide, hence the name “mehari” (eyelid).
Index
Numerous variations
The crunchy texture and tangy flavor of the mustard leaves perfectly match the rice. Some meharizushi also have chopped mustard leaves inside. The recipe reflects each household’s individuality, with some adding Japanese mustard for pickling the mustard leaves, some using the long-pickling method, and some using rice mixed with bonito flakes and soy sauce. Even now, many families living in remote mountainous areas still make their own pickled mustard leaves. There are stores specialized in meharizushi in Nachi Katsuura and Shingu. Be sure to try this local delicacy!
| Address | 〒647-0020 1F, Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus Co., Ltd. 2-1-11 Jofuku, Shingu-shi, Wakayama, Japan |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. |
| Traffic Access |
By public transportation: From “Kii-Katsuura Station” on the JR Kinokuni-line, walk for around 5 minutes. By car: From Osaka/Wakayama ,around 100 minutes’ drive from the Kamitonda IC. |
| Parking | Available（ charged ） |
| Contact | Shingu City Tourist Association TEL：0735-52-0071 Web：https://www.shinguu.jp/spots/restaurants |
* Information is subject to change. Please be sure to check with the site/facility before heading out.
