Tag: Edomae Shigoto（Edo-style preparations）

In Edo period, not only transportation systems weren’t developed like now, but also there weren’t refrigerators nor freezers which is essential for storage. Even fresh seafood loses its freshness over time and its quality could go bad. And so, various methods were invented in order to prepare fish for the best condition to store, by performing “Edomae Shigoto” on fish when they were still fresh and by condensing umami more than using raw fish. Classic examples are technics such as “curing in salt or vinegar”, “steaming, simmering”, and “immersing in sauce”. As a result of wisdom and inventions of ancestors like these, it was eventually completed as “Edomae Shigoto” to bring out umami the most.

What is Ikekoshi?

When a fish is pulled from the sea, it is put into an extraneous environment with sunlight, temperature and hot human hands that it isn’t used to, so it starts to swim violently with all its might, trying to get away, in a perpetual state of tension. If cooked in this state, blood will still be running through all the cells of the body. There is no sense of transparency in the meat at this point, especially the white meat. The body also hardens. The entire body reeks of blood. In other words, the meat of white fish is full of blood, making it unsuitable for preparing as food.

Fish are placed in a tank with enough water and oxygen, only in numbers so that they do not rub up against each other. A lid is placed on the tank to create a temporary dark space. At this time, the temperature of the water is an ideal, low temperature. This keeps the fish from struggling. After being left for half a day, it will regurgitate anything undigested that was eaten prior to being caught, become acclimated to the dark space and settle down. The bloody tone from struggling fades throughout the body and the fish relaxes.

Creating this state is called “Ikekoshi”.

Ikekoshi methods differ depending on the species of fish, but the idea is to keep this state for only one day at most. When left for two or three days, the fish loses meat, starts to swim around the dark chamber that it has now grown accustomed to, and its body, tail and fins rub up against other fish or the sides of the tank, causing damage. This hurts the meat quality and appearance so it is something the fisherman must look out for.

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Revision date: August 5, 2022

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What is Warisu?

Warisu refers to the vinegar when doing Sujime.

The fish is first washed in water, then soaked in vinegar. When working with blue-backed fish, the smell of the fish’s fat is removed from the surface with vinegar that has been used once before (and thus has a low acidity). This is called Suarai. When preparing fish with Sujime, cooled Warisu is used, made either with a 10 to 3 ratio of vinegar to ice, or the same ratio of vinegar to cold water. Vinegar with a high acidity that hasn’t been cut with water only soaks the surface of the fish (denaturing it) and the vinegar does not penetrate to the inside. In addition, if the temperature of vinegar is high, such as during summer, the skin and body of the fish soften. That’s why the vinegar is diluted (acidity is between ph 3.3 and ph 3.7) and used as chilled Warisu. After the Sujime of the topping is finished, it is important to place it in the refrigerator and allow the meat to mature slowly. For fish with strong fat, that fat oxidizes faster than the meat can mature, so it must be done very carefully.

What is Shiojime?

Generally, saltwater fish grow in seawater, and their bodies naturally contain a certain concentration of salt. Because seawater has a higher salinity than the fish’s internal fluids, the water in their bodies is constantly being drawn out by osmotic pressure. As this water is lost, the internal salt concentration increases. To compensate, saltwater fish actively drink large amounts of seawater and excrete the excess salt through specialized cells in their gills and kidneys. This complex osmoregulation mechanism helps them maintain a balance, which is why their flesh typically contains a high percentage of water.

This high moisture content sometimes gives the impression that the fish is “somehow watery” or lacking in firmness. However, once the fish is cooked—especially through gentle heating—the texture becomes soft and fluffy, enhancing its natural qualities.

Therefore, when preparing fish for cooking, it is often sprinkled with salt approximately 30 minutes to one hour beforehand. This process, commonly practiced by sushi chefs as well, is called Shiojime (塩締め), or salting.

Shiojime serves several purposes. First, it draws out excess moisture through the process of osmosis, which in turn concentrates the fish’s natural umami (savory) flavor.

Additionally, by removing moisture, Shiojime helps eliminate the fishy odor (commonly caused by compounds like trimethylamine), allowing the clean, delicate flavor of the fish to shine through.

Another important benefit of Shiojime is that it helps control bacteria. When salt is applied to the fish, it creates a salty (hypertonic) environment that draws water out of the bacteria on the surface. Without enough water, the bacteria can’t survive or grow. In addition, salt lowers the water activity in the fish, which makes it harder for microbes to multiply. This helps keep the fish safe to eat and slows down spoilage, making it last longer.

In traditional sushi preparation, Shiojime is often followed by Sujime (vinegar curing). The amount of vinegar that penetrates the fish depends significantly on the prior conditions established during Shiojime, making it a delicate and finely tuned process that requires experience and attention to detail.

Ultimately, Shiojime is a time-honored technique that delivers numerous benefits—enhancing flavor, improving texture, reducing odors, and increasing safety—while showcasing the depth of Japanese culinary knowledge.

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Revision date: June 12, 2025

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What is Jukusei sushi?

The fish used in sushi is generally salted or soaked in vinegar then matured for several days while the umami Inosinic acid component increases. This is called “Jukusei” (aging). Sushi made with toppings that have been aged in this way is called “Jukusei sushi”. The aging period depends on the type, individual size and origin of each fish, and some are even aged for over four weeks. However, the preparations are not only difficult and time-consuming, but the discolored parts and inedible parts must also be trimmed, so these toppings tend to be expensive. If gone too far, the Inosinic acid converts to hypoxanthine and rots. The ability to make this judgment is important. In the end, Jukusei is an evolved version of the culture of “maturing toppings” which existed in Edo-style Sushi.

How to Jukusei? (How are sushi ingredients matured?)

In order to mature seafood, after completing advance preparations (removing the head and internal organs then washing thoroughly; all blood must be removed), more than adequate considerations must be made for the fat content of the fish and management of the bodily fluids. Specifically, this includes processes like dry-aging at a low temperature, removing moisture using salt, utilizing enzymes and fermentation, wet aging by putting the item in a vacuum pack, and wrapping in aging sheets, which were developed thanks to Foodism. These processes may be used alone or in combination, whichever process is most suitable for the fish.

In the initial stage of ‘jukusei’ (maturing), the increase in inosinic acid (the umami component) improves the taste. After that, the inosinic acid starts to decrease, and once the long-term maturing stage (two weeks or more) starts, free amino acids such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid really start to affect the flavor. This has all been learned in research.

Let’s take a look at specific aging methods.

For example, for white flesh fish, a somewhat high amount of salt is sprinkled on the fish before it is stored in a refrigerator set at 3 to 4℃ with a humidity of at least 85%. The fish is not wrapped at this time. The fish is flipped over 3 to 4 times a day so that the moisture is extracted evenly. Several days later, the salt on the surface of the body and the body fluids that have seeped out is washed off with water (or thin saltwater). The fish is then wrapped in paper towels and then plastic to avoid contact with the air, and it is stored in a refrigerator at 1 to 2℃. Once the chef deems the fish is ready, it is trimmed. Excess moisture is removed and then the maturing process continues.

We would like to take this time to point out that fish like Tai (Red seabream) and Buri (Japanese amberjack) are clearly more delicious when matured. However, when farmed tai and farmed hamachi are matured, the scent of the feed they were raised on comes out, so these are better eaten fresh, as sashimi, instead of maturing.

Blue-backed fish like Aji (Horse mackerel) and Iwashi (Japanese sardine) are also not suitable for mature. Blue-backed fish lose their freshness quickly and judging the maturity is extremely difficult. Furthermore, if the fish is matured without sufficient advance preparations, bacteria breed in the remaining blood and organs. This may cause food poisoning.

These fish can be matured using the following method. The fish is put in salt-ice (water-cooled with ice and salt) as soon as it is caught. It is sent to the sushi restaurant in this state and left in the refrigerator to rest for several days. Unfortunately, what happens after this is apparently a trade secret.

The easiest method is to wrap in an aging sheet and put it in the refrigerator. After that the chef trims the fish, checking the state. An aging sheet is a cloth made from purely breeding a ‘mold’ that is harmless to the human body, and putting cultures of its recovered spores into the cloth. Originally, it is intended to be used to age meat, but it’s just started to be used for seafood too.

Finally, in a method used for ages by sushi chefs, the akami and toro (tuna) portion are taken out and the chiai* portion is removed to be matured. This is then wrapped in paper towels, put into a plastic bag in order to prevent drying out, then put into the refrigerator to rest. The temperature setting is the most important part of this process and, obviously, this is an industry secret. The chef needs to check the state of the tuna (for example whether the white lines are soft and whether the oil has risen), and any discolored portion is trimmed. After that it is refrigerated. This process is then repeated.

＊“Chiai (血合い)” is the part with the most veins, so it is a dark red color. It has a strong odor of blood and has multiple times the acidity of the lean meat, so it is not used as a sushi topping.

Related Content:
Technique Thursdays: Dry-Aged Fish

Everything You Need to Know About Dry-Aged Fish

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Revision date: June 2, 2020

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What makes a “good” sushi restaurant?

It is probably cutting fish just before serving. For a big size fish, keep its skin on the meat during the process of preparing and cutting into half, and at every serving use sogigiri* as much as customers eat. Protected by the skin, the fish flesh will expose to air for the first time as it is cut. The skin blocks the oxidation process significantly because the fat in fish centers right under the skin in general. Needless to say, even with any amazing fish, it loses flavor if the fat gets oxidized.

＊Sogigiri－A method of cutting makes a slice thinner with a greater surface, by holding the knife diagonally and cutting in line with the cutting board. Usually used for white fish with firm flesh because it is easier to be eaten when served thin.

Hirazukuri－A method of cutting gives thickness to each slice so that the texture of sashimi can be enjoyable. This is used for akami like tuna.

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Revision date: April 1, 2020

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Assessing Fish at the fish market!

One important task of sushi chefs is going to Tsukiji (Toyosu) every morning, looking at fish with their own eyes and assessing the quality. Having a good eye is important in order to get the highest quality possible, but this is cultivated by experience. They are also constantly obtaining information from the fishmongers at the market regarding what the best fish of the season and their localities. It’s almost a game as to whether they can get high-quality fish at the optimum price everyday. The skills of a sushi chef start with this assessment.

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Revision date: September 11, 2018

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Tuna is matured to rest before it is used.

Once a bluefin tuna is caught, it arrives at Toyosu fish market within a day or two. However, that fish is not used as a sushi topping that day. No matter how good the tuna is, it starts very stiff and is not in a state where it should be eaten. The meat is hard and the white muscle lines are left in your mouth. The odor and acidic taste of the red meat is strong and the unique sweetness of the fish is nowhere to be found. After it has rested the muscles soften, bringing out the fat.

Then, when the sushi chef gets the tuna, he first separates the red, lean meat and the fatty toro portion, rewraps them separately, seals them in plastic, and puts them on ice. Next is waiting for the “young” meat, not yet suitable for eating, to mature. The number of days the fish will be rested depends on the size of the fish and the temperature. The smaller the cut and the warmer the temperature, the shorter the rest time. Generally the time is from 3-14 days.

The tuna wholesaler may also decide on the aging period independently. There is no right answer for this aging period, and it is decided based on the experience of the sushi chef.

This “young” fish not ready for consumption is a fresh, deep color but as it matures the color darkens, the fat is brought out and becomes a fleshy color. Proper care must be taken because if it’s rested for too long, the color changes too quickly.

As an aside, right after the tuna cutting show, it has not yet aged enough to be delicious. The color is light, and the production of umami ingredients such as inosinic acid is not sufficient. This is a show for advertising purposes.

What is the difference between maturing and rotting?

When fish die, stopping the supply of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), the source of muscle energy, the muscle fibers gradually harden. As time passes, it gently dissolves and the ATP breaks down, changing into umami components due to self-digestion.

ATP is broken down as follows, but in living fish, only the reaction up to AMP occurs. Once broken down to AMP, it is regenerated as ATP.

ATP→Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)→Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)→inosinic acid (IMP)→hypoxanthine riboside (HxR)→Hypoxanthine (Hx)

In fish after death, inosine monophosphate (IMP) is produced from AMP by an enzyme called adenosine deaminase (ADA). This is called maturing. Inosine monophosphate is not found in cells immediately after death. Maturation is required for the production of inosine monophosphate. If it goes further, it will go bad and HxR (inosine) and Hx (hypoxanthine) will be produced.

The umami created by self-digestion of ATP is “maturing (Jukusei)” and the process after that is “rotting.”

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Revision date: March 17, 2025

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Where should soy sauce be applied to the sushi?

The most delicious way to eat sushi at restaurants where the sushi chef applies Nikiri (soy sauce perfectly evaporated with sake) for you is just the way it was prepared. However, at restaurants where sauce is not applied for you, the sushi is eaten by dipping it in soy sauce. The soy sauce used for dipping is provided for you at the counter or table. Many restaurants use the same evaporation formula for the dipping soy sauce.

Soy sauce for dipping is put into a small dish for use, but don’t put in too much. It depends on the depth of the small dish, but the diameter of the circle of soy sauce after being poured should be approximately 25mm.

When dipping sushi into the soy sauce, turning it upside down (although it will be somewhat tilted) and dipping the topping seems to be the most common method. If you keep the topping on the bottom when you put the sushi in your mouth, the flavors of the soy sauce and the fish are in complete harmony and the delicious taste spreads through your mouth. There is also an opinion that turning the sushi upside down for dipping is unacceptable practice. There are also some with the opinion that whether to eat with your hands or chopsticks depends on the situation.

Make sure not to get any soy sauce on the Shari (vinegar rice). You don’t want to add unnecessary saltiness to the Shari, which has already been seasoned. It would be a terrible waste to cancel out the exquisite balance of the topping, wasabi and Shari with the saltiness of soy sauce.

Why doesn’t rice stick to the sushi chef’s hands?

A photo of shaping nigiri sushi — Sushi chef is making nigiri sushi.

One of the pleasures of sitting at a sushi counter is watching the sushi master work his craft.

He holds the topping between the index finger and thumb of his left hand while simultaneously grabbing the shari (vinegared rice) with his left hand. He gently squeezes the shari and then moves the topping from his left hand to the top of that shari in a fluid motion. This entire process of shaping the shari to the finished piece of sushi takes less than six seconds. Every movement is precise and purposeful.

However, no matter how many pieces the chef makes one after another, you’ll never see a grain of rice stick to his hands. If you or I were to make even one piece of sushi, our hands would be covered in rice. So why doesn’t it happen to them? Their hands don’t look oiled. Perhaps sushi chefs have especially smooth or slick hands compared to us average Joes?

Of course not. This is actually thanks to the vinegar.

The chefs keep a bowl of vinegar close by, which they constantly use to wet their hands. If the sushi chef’s hands are dry, the rice grains tend to stick to them, so the rice needs to be moistened just enough.

This is called “Tezu” or vinegared water, which both disinfects the hands and cools their palms. When the vinegar evaporates, it takes the heat from the hands with it.

Normally hands reach temperatures of 33-34 degrees Celsius (91-93 degrees Fahrenheit), but sushi chefs cool their hands to approximately 30 degrees Celsius (86 F). This transfers the heat from the hands to the shari, keeping it from getting sticky. In other words, not a single grain of rice sticks to their hands.

Also, the stickiness of rice is mainly caused by starch (especially amylopectin) gelatinizing with water and heat, but vinegar contains acetic acid, which acidifies the pH, so under these conditions, the structure of the starch changes slightly, inhibiting the formation of stickiness (the sticky component).

Additionally, vinegared rice becomes sticky if there is too much moisture, and conversely, if there is too little moisture, it becomes dry and difficult to shape. Therefore, the moisture content and temperature are carefully adjusted to achieve the perfect balance.

In short, it’s not magic or special skin — it’s the calculated use of vinegar, moisture, and temperature control that keeps sushi chefs’ hands rice-free.

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Revision date: June 16, 2025

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Why is freshly-caught fish allowed to age?

The most delicious time to eat fish differs depending on if it is served as sashimi, as sushi, or boiled. Fresh does not necessarily mean delicious. For example, Japanese Amberjack should be used in sashimi 3-5 days after being caught, in sushi a week after being caught and it can be used in a stew or boiled once it turns black around the edges. This is because the inosine acid, which is responsible for the umami taste, increases after rigor mortis ends and understanding the timing of the peak in flavor is up to the skill of the sushi chef.

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Revision date: March 12, 2018

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Prior to WWII, there were chefs whose only job was making vinegar rice!

From the end of the Edo period through the Meiji period, rice was cooked using firewood and a pot. It is not easy to get the fire at the right temperature and the rice has to be cooked to the same texture regardless of where it came from or the size of the grains, so at the time the task required a skilled chef. Therefore, there were “Shari-ya” employed by sushi restaurants who specialized in cooking rice. “Shari-ya” focused on this single task and were not involved in the actual making of the sushi after the rice was passed on to the chefs.

What makes a good sushi chef?

The balance between Shari (vinegar rice) and the topping is important in sushi. No matter how good the topping, the sushi won’t be good if the Shari isn’t right for it. More restaurants have been using red vinegar lately, but even if you use a Shari with a strong taste like red vinegar, the balance will be destroyed if the topping has a weaker flavor. Seasoning that goes well with various toppings that doesn’t stand out too much is ideal.

It works the other way, too. If the Shari is too weak, the sushi won’t be delicious no matter how good the topping. Even if the topping is not premium quality, if the Shari is matched perfectly, the sushi will be perfect. In other words, a good sushi chef is someone who can make sushi with perfectly matching toppings and Shari.

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Revision date: December 18, 2017

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Is Nigiri sushi made by a Master Really Transparent?!

A photo of shari — There is a moderate amount of space between the grains of rice.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” says the sushi chef as he places a nigiri sushi in front of you, pieces of rice falling out. You may be served this kind of nigiri sushi at restaurants that have lines out the door. Of course, nigiri sushi that falls apart before it reaches your lips is a no-go.

Good nigiri sushi looks solid, but the rice naturally falls apart when you put it in your mouth. Secondly, the loosened rice absorbs the saliva that has the flavor of the topping, and does not make your mouth sticky.

On the other hand, if the rice is pressed tightly, it does not absorb the saliva. The taste of the toppings continues to linger in your mouth and gradually becomes a nuisance. In short, when they press the sushi, the surface is firmly pressed, but the inside is fluffy. This is the perfect way to press sushi.

At first, they will be too focused on the shape, their fingers will be too tense, and they will be pressing too hard. Once they relax their fingers and get a sense of the subtle pressure, they will be a full-fledged sushi chef. It is said that they should press the shari as if they were wrapping it in air.

For example, shari pressed for gunkanmaki should be hard enough to crumble after being placed on their index finger for five seconds. For nigiri sushi, it should be hard enough to sink a few millimeters when placed on a plate under the weight of the topping.

A master sushi chef is at the next level, and it is said that “nigiri sushi made by a master can be seen through when held up to the light.” He holds the sushi very gently. And it doesn’t lose its shape.

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Revision date: June 13, 2025

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Once you try Kuruma ebi sushi, you’ll never want any other shrimp.

Sushi Shrimp Overview

Shrimp used in sushi is typically evaluated based on six criteria: color, sweetness, umami, aroma, texture, and cost. This evaluation excludes sweet shrimp and botan shrimp, which are eaten raw.

Among shrimp that are cooked—usually by boiling—and served in sushi restaurants, including conveyor belt sushi, the most commonly used are banamei shrimp (farmed), black tiger shrimp (farmed), and kuruma shrimp (wild or farmed).

In Japan, annual shrimp consumption is estimated at around 250,000 tons. Of this, banana shrimp and black tiger shrimp make up approximately 80%, while kuruma shrimp accounts for less than one-tenth of banamei shrimp’s volume.

Banamei Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Banamei shrimp is the world’s most widely farmed white shrimp and is commonly used in Japan, especially in conveyor belt sushi and supermarkets.

When cooked, its color shifts from pale pink to a soft orange, creating a clean, uniform appearance ideal for commercial use. Its sweetness is mild and understated, offering a balanced flavor that blends well with vinegared rice.

The umami is gentle and neutral, without any strong distinctive notes, making it a good companion to other ingredients. However, its aroma is weak, especially when cooked without the shell, which is why it’s rarely used in high-end sushi establishments where fragrance is prized.

The texture is soft and slightly moist, particularly after freezing and thawing, making it easy to eat for all ages.

Where banamei shrimp excels is in cost-effectiveness. Its high yield, low price, and ease of processing make it a go-to option for volume-based food service. Though not remarkable in any single aspect, its consistency and affordability make it indispensable for everyday sushi.

Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

Black tiger shrimp, named for its dark striped shell, is a large species that once dominated global shrimp farming. It remains popular in Japan as a sushi and tempura ingredient, even as banamei shrimp has become more prevalent.

When cooked, it shows a vivid red-orange border contrasting with its white flesh—a striking visual that enhances the presentation of nigiri sushi. This eye-catching appearance makes it popular in local and mid-range sushi restaurants.

It has a slightly richer sweetness than banamei shrimp, paired with moderate umami and a clean, balanced flavor. While its raw aroma is faint, cooking brings out a subtle shrimp-like fragrance that complements the delicate scents of sushi.

Its texture is firm and springy, retaining its structure even after freezing, which makes it suitable for processing. This satisfying chew is one of the reasons it’s favored in sushi preparation.

Although farming costs have risen in recent years, black tiger shrimp still provides solid value as a mid-tier option. It’s more expensive than banamei shrimp but cheaper than kuruma shrimp, making it a practical choice for many sushi restaurants.

Overall, black tiger shrimp strikes a good balance between appearance, taste, and cost—neither luxurious nor cheap, but reliably satisfying.

Kuruma Shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus)

Kuruma shrimp is a premium species native to Japan and prized in both sushi and traditional kaiseki cuisine. Its excellence lies not only in its high status but in its culinary balance—color, sweetness, umami, aroma, and texture are all outstanding.

When cooked, it takes on a brilliant orange-red hue with a glossy finish that signals freshness and quality. In its raw state, it has a translucent reddish-brown shell that transforms into a visually stunning centerpiece after boiling—ideal for high-end sushi presentation.

Its sweetness is refined and natural, gradually unfolding with each bite and harmonizing beautifully with sushi rice. Unlike straightforward sugary sweetness, it carries a richness tied to the shrimp’s inherent umami.

That umami deepens when heated, resulting in a pure, well-defined flavor with a clean aftertaste. Expert sushi chefs often grill or steam kuruma shrimp lightly to draw out its full potential.

Its aroma is delicate and marine-like, intensifying when cooked and adding elegance to the dish. The texture is supple yet resilient, with fine muscle fibers that feel smooth on the tongue. Unlike the springy bite of banamei or black tiger shrimp, kuruma shrimp has a calm, refined elasticity—a “quiet luxury” that signals quality from the first bite.

Due to limited domestic production and a focus on wild-caught varieties, it comes at a premium price. Even farmed kuruma shrimp remains significantly more expensive than banamei or black tiger shrimp. As a result, it’s rarely used in conveyor belt sushi and is mostly reserved for upscale restaurants.

In traditional Edomae sushi, kuruma shrimp may be aged in kimizu oboro (sweetened egg vinegar oboro) for several days to enhance its umami and introduce a gentle acidity. Its preparation also requires care—shrimp naturally curl during boiling, so chefs make precise incisions or use skewers to keep them straight, a technique that showcases culinary skill.

In short, kuruma shrimp combines taste, aroma, beauty, and elegance into a single, premium ingredient. Though costly, it brings depth and refinement that elevates sushi to an art form—a true “star” of the sushi counter.