Sasa Zushi: The Sushi of Kanazawa

Kanazawa boasts a rich culinary heritage, showcasing a wide array of unique dishes. Among these, is sasa zushi a traditional sushi, often made using local fish and wrapped in bamboo leaves. It is not only a feast for the palate but also a representation of the region’s culture. 

Sasa Zushi

In Kanazawa, it is a tradition to eat pressed sushi– oshi zushi. For the locals, consuming oshi zushi during festivals and celebrations is an essential part of the region’s traditional cuisine. Sasa zushi is a variation of oshi zushi that is wrapped in bamboo leaves. 

Shiba Sushi, a popular establishment in Kanazawa, is well-known for its sasa zushi, with some branches even located in Tokyo. Fortunately, it is quite affordable, at around 1,000 yen for 10 pieces.

The sushi is wrapped in kuma zasa, a type of bamboo leaf. When you unwrap it, you will discover a rectangular piece of pressed sushi with a subtle bamboo fragrance. The sushi is smaller than an onigiri, so you might need to eat 5 to 6 pieces, or even a bit more, to feel full.

This kind of sushi has no need for soy sauce, which would overpower the subtle aroma of the bamboo leaves. Additionally, the process of pressing rice and a piece of fish together allows the flavors of the fish to blend nicely with the vinegary rice. 

Sasa zushi comes with a wide variety of fish. The mackerel variety usually has kelp or kombu on top. The kelp on top of the mackerel helps keep the surface of the mackerel from drying out, but the flavor of the kelp also gives the sushi a deeper taste. Osaka’s oshizushi often uses kombu as well.

The salmon has a thin slice of lemon on top and the lemon flavor permeated the entire dish, giving it a very refreshing taste. I think the salmon was the easiest to eat as it did not have a fishy smell almost at all. 

You can find sasa zushi at numerous restaurants and souvenir shops throughout Kanazawa, including popular spots at Kanazawa Station, where travelers can conveniently grab a taste of this local delicacy. For many residents, sasa zushi is more than just a meal; it is a cherished soul food.