(Side note, when the rice is not vinegared, the dish is referred to as kaisen donburi, or seafood rice bowl.) In the early days, raw scallops and salmon roe were popular toppings to put on vinegared sushi rice in a bowl. The city’s close proximity to Tokyo Bay meant that fresh fish and seafood could be used to top off the locale’s spin on sushi. True to its name, Edomae chirashi sushi originated in Edo (now known as Tokyo).

The differences between Edomae chirashi sushi and gomoku sushi lie in the region they were popularized, their ingredients, and how they are prepared. What’s the Difference Between Edomae Chirashi Sushi and Gomoku Sushi? The colorful appearance of chirashi sushi and its use of seasonal, healthy veggies moreover makes it the perfect dish to celebrate spring with! Etymology of Chirashi SushiĬhirashi sushi literally means “scattered sushi” in Japanese, referring to the manner in which the sushi toppings are dispersed throughout the rice. For example, shrimp symbolizes longevity and the lotus root is believed to confer good luck. The ingredients used in chirashi sushi are intentionally selected to align with this goal. This celebration, which takes place on March 3rd, is based around praying for the happiness and health of young girls in Japan. In addition, it’s a traditional dish to eat in the spring for Hina Masturi, or Girl’s Day or the Doll Festival. When Is Chirashi Sushi Eaten in Japan?ĭue to the simplicity of how it’s made, chirashi sushi is a favorite home-cooked meal in Japan. In order to get around this, it is said bara sushi was invented to sneak more fish and vegetables into meals by finely chopping, mixing, and hiding them in the rice. During the following period of hardship, the government imposed a “one soup and one side dish” ordinance. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), a major flood affected Okayama. There is also Okayama Prefecture’s bara sushi, which is similar to gomoku sushi. Outside of Tokyo, chirashi sushi is called gomoku sushi and includes cooked ingredients mixed into the vinegared sushi rice. The greater distance from the sea to other regions in Japan resulted in a different spin on chirashi sushi. Fresh fish and seafood from the nearby Tokyo Bay were integral ingredients to early chirashi sushi in Edo, which favored raw toppings. History of Chirashi SushiĬhirashi sushi is a variation of Edomae sushi, which originated in Tokyo (then Edo) during the Meiji Period (1868-1912).

The two main types of chirashi sushi are Edomae chirashi sushi and gomoku sushi. Unlike many other popular types of sushi rolls, chirashi sushi is not shaped by the hands and is instead served in a box or bowl. Because of this, it often isn’t recognized by foreigners as sushi, although it can be found across Japan. What’s the Difference Between Edomae Chirashi Sushi and Gomoku Sushi?Ĭhirashi sushi is not as widely available outside of Japan as other types of sushi, such as nigiri and maki sushi.

Japanese chirashi