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Where did sushi originate?

foodjapan

Quick Answer

Sushi began as a way of preserving fish in fermented rice in Southeast Asia and China, and developed into the dish we know today in Japan.

The Full Story

The earliest form, narezushi, involved packing salted fish in rice and leaving it to ferment for months; the rice was thrown away and only the fish eaten. This method spread to Japan by around the 8th century. Over time, the Japanese began eating the rice too and shortening fermentation, using vinegar instead. In the 1820s, in Edo (now Tokyo), nigiri sushi — a slice of fresh fish on hand-pressed rice — became a popular fast food sold from street stalls. Hanaya Yohei is often credited with popularising nigiri.

Key Facts

1.Early sushi preserved fish in fermenting rice
2.Nigiri became popular in Edo in the 1820s
3.Funazushi from Lake Biwa still uses the old method

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"How sushi went from preserved fish to fast food"