Local specialties

Funazushi

  • 25Shiga

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  • 25Shiga

Dish log

Funazushi
Image attribution: AI-generated image · GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst

A Shiga narezushi in which fish such as egg-bearing nigorobuna crucian carp from Lake Biwa are salted, then packed in rice and fermented.

Dish profile

About this dish

Main ingredients
crucian carp (mainly egg-bearing nigorobuna from Lake Biwa), rice (cooked rice), salt
History and origin
A leading example of narezushi, an ancient form of sushi in which salted fish is packed with rice and fermented, it is often offered at shrine festivals praying for an abundant harvest of the five grains. Fermentation softens the bones so that they can be eaten as well. Shiga's narezushi was selected in 1998 as a prefectural intangible folk cultural property, "Shiga Food Cultural Property."
When it is eaten
It is eaten at celebrations such as on festive days and when people gather, such as at New Year.
How it is eaten
Crucian carp salted in early spring are washed and dried in summer, then layered alternately with rice in a tub and fermented for several months until New Year. Besides being thinly sliced and arranged on a plate, it is eaten as is or made into ochazuke.

Sources

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Dietary guidance

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  • VegetarianClues to confirm: meat or seafood

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  • HalalNo direct clue found (this does not mean suitable)

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  • Gluten-freeNo direct clue found (this does not mean suitable)

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  • PorkPork: no direct clue found (absence is not confirmed)
  • Alcohol (mirin / sake)Alcohol (mirin / sake): no direct clue found (absence is not confirmed)

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  • Ease of eatingNot confirmed by the dish information.

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  • Venue settingNot confirmed by the dish information.

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