Edomae Sushi: How Today's Nigiri Sushi Began...

We don’t really know where sushi actually came from or who invented it. It can be said that sushi was a way to preserve fish and has been around for many centuries. Back then, whole fish would be salted and packed in steamed rice. A chemical reaction would occur and the fish would be preserved. Months later when it came time to eat the fish, the rice would be discarded and the fish eaten. Trevor Corson, author of “The Story of Sushi”, describes the taste of this early sushi as “pungent aged cheese, with butter and vinegar overtones.” It was much different than the pristine fish and rice that we enjoy today.

Edomae Sushi from the early 1800s

Description of the sushi above

This style of sushi dates back to the early 1800’s in Tokyo or Edo, as it was known back then. Edomae means “Tokyo Front” or Tokyo style of sushi with fish from Tokyo Bay. They used the local fish which they caught in the Tokyo Bay area. Majority of the seafood used was Sea Bream, Horse Mackerel, Squid, Mackerel, Tiger Prawns, Gizzard Shad, and many others. The sushi size (fish and rice) was much larger than today’s nigiri sushi and would be consumed in 2-3 bites.

Sushi was sold at stands around Edo (Tokyo), these stands were about the size of today’s hot dog carts. I guess you can say it was an early version of today's Fast Food. These sushi stands had a roof and a noren hanging over the stand, a cloth usually with the proprietor’s name on it. Back then, Zagat and Yelp weren’t around to help you decide where to eat. So you looked at the noren, the dirtier it was the better. Once customers finished with their sushi, they would wipe their hands on the cloth hanging above and go on their way. Hard to believe that sushi began in the streets.

Sushi originated from using local seafood. Ask your chef if they have any local fish and then try it, you might like it.

Continue to eat sushi and UMI will continue to educate you One Fish at a time.

Article by Jay Terauchi

Sushi Repeats Itself in Tokyo

It's funny how history repeats itself. Back in the early days, authentic sushi was served in stands in Tokyo, they were about the size of today's hot dog carts. They had a limited number of sushi toppings and the customers would stand and eat at the counter. This style was called Edomae (Tokyo at the time was called Edo), so this was Tokyo style sushi. Once the customer was finished eating, they would be on their way. I guess we can say that sushi was one of the earliest forms of fast food.

At some Japanese restaurants, you'll see a curtain (noren) hanging over the doorway, this indicates that the restaurant is open. Sushi stands also had the norens hanging over the counter. Back then you'd know this was a good place by all of the customers wiping their hands on it. You can tell how good the stand was by how dirty the noren was, since they didn't have the Zagat or Citysearch at the time.

This standing sushi counter is located in Tsukiji, near the world's largest fish market, and very popular with younger women. Based on it's location, I'm sure the fish is really good. Can you imagine getting a quick sushi lunch at Penn Station in NYC or Terminal One at LAX?

Please continue to follow UMI and let's keep eating sushi, One Fish at a time.

Domo Arigato!