Shiga chef turns stinky sushi into cheesecake
A restaurant chef in Shiga Prefecture has developed a cheesecake using an ingredient from funazushi, one of Japan's pungent traditional sushi types known as narezushi, in an effort to draw more attention to the western region's local cuisine.
Funazushi uses rice with nigorobuna crucian carp or other fish caught in Shiga Prefecture's Lake Biwa, the country's largest freshwater lake. As the fish and rice are fermented with salt, it has a strong smell.
Girasole, a restaurant in the city of Hikone, has been serving the funazushi-derived Basque-style cheesecake since April 2021.
The cake was created by owner and chef Shoichi Kojima, 40, who moved to Hikone in 2015 after getting married. The native of the central prefecture of Yamanashi was not familiar with funazushi before coming to the city but got hooked on the food after trying to make it at a friend's suggestion.
To develop a recipe, he adopted a local lake fish broker's advice to use powdered "ii," or the fermented rice of funazushi.
"I thought funazushi and cheese are both fermented foods and would go well together," Kojima says.
After several failures, he finally hit on the right ii-to-dough ratio and completed the recipe in February 2021.
Noting that the cake has been selling well, Kojima expressed hope that it will offer an opportunity for funazushi lovers to rediscover its appeal and attract interest from those who have never tried it.
In Shiga, some other restaurants are also trying to cultivate the fermented food's potential, by using ii in potato salad and sandwiching homemade funazushi between buns.
Michinori Hashimoto, a Kyoto Kacho University professor who is well-versed in the history of funazushi, said that the method for making the preservative food has changed over time.
It is now common to marinate funazushi ingredients in summer when fermentation occurs more easily. A cookbook published during the Edo Period (1603-1868), however, describes how to marinate them in winter, according to Hashimoto.
"Modifying (the recipe) according to the times will help pass on funazushi to young people and the next generation," he says.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
2 hours ago
- NHK
Japan to study South Korean president-elect's foreign policy
The Japanese government plans to cautiously study the foreign policy of South Korean president-elect Lee Jae-myung, who has taken tough positions on Japan in the past. The candidate of the largest opposition Democratic Party won the presidential election on Tuesday, bringing about a change of government. During the campaign, Lee stressed that he will focus on cooperation with Japan, and the two countries' relations with the United States. Some members of the Japanese government think that Lee will not drastically change South Korea's relations with Tokyo, as East Asia is facing a challenging security environment. Japan hopes to build a stable relationship with the new administration to keep the momentum for improved ties that began under former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Officials will work to arrange a summit between Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Lee at an early date on the sidelines of an international conference. However, there are concerns that Lee may take a tougher stance toward Japan. He has previously criticized the country on bilateral issues.
NHK
10 hours ago
- NHK
More than 100 dead cats found in volunteer's house in Japan
More than 100 cats have been found dead in and around a house in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto. A woman who lives in the house was working for a volunteer group to protect cats. The city's animal protection center says it received a report from a couple saying one of the cats they had asked the woman to care for was dead. Officials and a member of the animal welfare volunteer group entered the woman's house on Monday, accompanied by police. The group said many dead cats were found, with garbage scattered inside the house. Officials say the woman has accepted cats from people who are forced to give up caring for their pets. The woman explained to the volunteer group that she herself had no idea why such a thing had happened. A representative of the group apologized for it having been unaware of the situation and said it takes the tragedy very seriously.
NHK
10 hours ago
- NHK
Victims' families mark 34 years since volcanic disaster in Nagasaki Pref.
Tuesday marks 34 years since a volcanic disaster killed 43 people in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan. To mark the date, family members of the victims visited the site. A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter gushed down from Mount Unzen's Fugen Peak on June 3, 1991. The victims included reporters and volcanologists observing the mountain's volcanic activity at a spot well-known for good front views of the volcano. Their taxi drivers were also among the victims. On Tuesday, the visitors, mainly the victims' families and reporters, observed a moment of silence at the spot at 4:08 p.m., the exact time the pyroclastic flow occurred. More people visited the site later and offered prayers toward the volcano. Komura Tetsuya lost his younger brother Koji, who was a videographer for Nippon TV, in the disaster. Komura said that the camera people around him reminded him of his brother and this made him emotional. He added that he believes that his brother continued shooting the scene until the last moment. Komura added that reporters' efforts are of no use if they die, and that they must protect their lives, too. He expressed hope this lesson will be widely shared.
