The Man Who Created Nigiri Sushi

Prior to the 1800’s, sushi was made from fish, salt and rice that took time to ferment. In this same time period, shops created a new way to make sushi by marinating the fish or rice and then rolling it to pack into boxes.

Sushi became available to even more people when Yohei Hanaya, the son of a Japanese grocer, started selling his nigiri sushi first from a box on his back, and then from his sushi stand. And not only was Yohei’s sushi delicious, but it was also fast, allowing for busy Edo workers to order and eat on the run. This forever changed the way we eat sushi. 

Nigiri-inset-for-Nigiri-Tips-page