Lettuce Maki Sushi Roll: Local Food Guide (Miyazaki)

Crisp lettuce and plump shrimp are wrapped in mellow mayonnaise and rolled with vinegared rice and nori. The salad roll now seen in supermarkets across Japan traces its origin to this lettuce maki born in Miyazaki City. Though a bold combination, one bite convinces anyone of its exquisite balance.

Highlights

Lettuce maki was born in 1966 at the sushi shop Ippei in the Matsuyama area of Miyazaki City. It is said the first generation owner, Shoji Muraoka, devised it for the composer Masaaki Hirao, with whom he was close. Wanting his vegetable averse friend to eat vegetables happily, he searched for an ingredient that paired well with lettuce, and after much trial and error, combining it with shrimp and mayonnaise that happened to be in the display case turned out to be superb. At Ippei the mayonnaise too is handmade fresh each morning, marked by a tangy flavor made with rice vinegar, lemon juice, and parsley. At the time raw vegetables and mayonnaise were thought not to suit sushi, but its novelty won over young people and eventually spread nationwide.

Enjoying the Seasons

Lettuce maki can be enjoyed all year round. Its refreshing mouthfeel is especially welcome in the hot season, when the freshness of the lettuce carries a cool sensation. Easy to carry, it is ideal for lunch by the sea or in a park. Arranged with other nigiri and rolls, it makes a colorful plate. Some shops offer variations that add crab stick or avocado in addition to shrimp.

Access and Basic Information

The founding sushi shop Ippei is in the Matsuyama area of Miyazaki City, and a steady stream of visitors come seeking its famous lettuce maki. It is also widely handled at sushi shops and supermarket deli counters throughout the city, so it is easy to enjoy. If taking it home as a souvenir, it is best savored while fresh.

A Quick Tip

If it is your first time, start with the original simple combination of shrimp and lettuce. The harmony woven by the body of the mayonnaise, the texture of the lettuce, and the sweetness of the shrimp will tell you in a single bite why it has been loved for over half a century.

Practical Travel Notes

• Born in 1966 at the sushi shop Ippei in Matsuyama, Miyazaki City. The first generation owner Shoji Muraoka devised it for the composer Masaaki Hirao.
• It is the origin of the salad roll now seen nationwide, a pioneer in using raw vegetables and mayonnaise in sushi.
• Ippei uses mayonnaise handmade fresh each morning, its charm a tangy mellowness flavored with rice vinegar and lemon.
• The founding shop is in Matsuyama, Miyazaki City. It is easy to buy at city sushi shops and supermarket delis, and popular as a souvenir.
• Variations with crab stick or avocado exist, but start with the original shrimp and lettuce for the base flavor.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• The restaurant where it was born: Ganso Lettuce Maki, Sushi-dokoro Ippei (Ippei-zushi) / 1-8-8 Matsuyama, Miyazaki City / TEL 0985-25-2215
• Opening hours: 11:00-14:30 (last order 14:00), 17:00-21:00 (last order 20:30)
• Closed: every Tuesday
• Parking: available (20 spaces)
• Origin: Ippei was founded in 1966 (Showa 41). The restaurant states that lettuce maki was created shortly after the opening, out of a casual conversation between the first-generation owner Shoji Muraoka and his friend, the singer and composer Masaaki Hirao
• What the original contains: lettuce, large prawn, nori seaweed from the Ariake Sea, and an original mayonnaise sauce made by the same method used since the restaurant opened
• Allergy note: Prawn is one of the specified raw materials that must be labeled under Japan's Food Labeling Act. If you have a shrimp allergy, be sure to check with the restaurant
• Note on takeout: Because this rolled sushi uses raw ingredients, keep it chilled if you take it away and eat it as soon as possible on the same day

* Opening hours, closing days and prices are subject to change. Please check the official information before your visit.

(Sources: Miyazaki City Tourism Association official "Miyazaki City Tourism Site", Ippei-zushi official website)