Mehari Zushi

Born in the mountains of Kumano, mehari zushi is a large rice ball wrapped in pickled leaf greens. Its name is said to come from opening your eyes wide as you open your mouth to take a big bite.

Highlights

The star is the salted leaf of a mustard green. Its balanced saltiness and faint tang tighten the flavor of the plump rice within. Once prized as a portable meal for field work and mountain walks, even the way it is wrapped reflects the life of the land.

Enjoying the Seasons

When the young greens are harvested the freshness of the leaf stands out, while in colder months the deep savor of well aged pickles comes forward. Its shifting character through the seasons is part of the charm.

Access and Basic Information

You can find it at eateries and roadside stations in Shingu and the wider Kumano area. Many carry it as a boxed lunch for walking the old pilgrimage routes, and unwrapping one midway along a mountain path is a special treat.

A Quick Tip

The proper way is to take one big bite, leaf and all. Savor the moment when the salt of the leaf and the sweetness of the rice become one.