This is sad. Anyway, where does Sushi originate from?

Question

xD I'm PRETTY sure that Sushi originates from Japan, and I should know that too, seeing as I am Japanese-/American/. But anyway..yeah I'm having a debate with someone about where sushi originates from..which is sad. D:

Answer 1

Main article: History of sushi

The main idea in the preparation of sushi is the preservation and fermentation of fish with salt and rice, a process that has been traced back to China and Southeast Asia where fish and rice fermentation dishes still exist today. The science behind the fermentation of fish in rice is that the vinegar produced from the fermenting rice breaks the fish down into amino acids. This results into one of the five basic tastes, called umami in Japanese.[2] The oldest form of sushi in Japan, Narezushi still very closely resembles this process. In Japan, Narezushi evolved into Oshizushi and ultimately Edomae nigirizushi, which is what the world today knows as "sushi".

Modern Japanese sushi has little resemblance to the traditional lacto-fermented rice dish. Originally, when the fermented fish was taken out of the rice, only the fish was consumed and the fermented rice was discarded. The strong-tasting and -smelling funazushi, a kind of narezushi made near Lake Biwa in Japan, resembles the traditional fermented dish.

Beginning in the Muromachi period (1336–1573) of Japan, vinegar was added to the mixture for better taste and for preservation. The vinegar accentuated the rice's sourness, and was known to increase its life span, allowing the fermentation process to be shortened and eventually abandoned. In the following centuries, sushi in Osaka evolved into oshi-zushi, the seafood and the rice were pressed using wooden (usually bamboo) molds. By the mid 18th century, this form of sushi had reached Edo (contemporary Tokyo).[3]



Sushi by Hiroshige in Edo periodThe contemporary version, internationally known as "sushi," was invented by Hanaya Yohei (華屋与兵衛; 1799–1858) at the end of Edo period in Edo. The sushi invented by Hanaya was an early form of fast food that was not fermented, (therefore prepared quickly) and could be eaten with one's hands roadside or in a theatre.[3] Originally, this sushi was known as Edomae zushi, because it used freshly-caught fish in the Edo-mae (Edo Bay or Tokyo Bay). Though the fish used in modern sushi no longer usually come from Tokyo Bay, it is still formally known as Edomae nigirizushi.

Answer 2

sushi was introduced into Japan in the 7th century from China. People began making sushi to preserve fish by fermentation when there were no refrigerators. Since salt and rice were needed in order to ferment fish, sushi became to be closely related to rice in Japan.

Answer 3

It's from Japan

Answer 4

Japan

Answer 5

Yes it is Japanese .

Answer 6

Initial dea of "sushi" - i.e. for better preservation of vegetables/rice - originated from China/South East Asia. Many parts of Asia still have sushi like native dishes.

However, the Japanese were the ones who really developed and integrated the idea of sushi in their diet - mainly because their dependence on seafood which is more perishable than say, vegetables. This is one of the reasons why sushi is a much bigger part of the Japanese diet than other parts of Asia.

E.g. Korea also have their version of sushi called "Kimbap". It looks similar but tastes really different as it has a different filling. Also they usually put a thin layer of oil on Kimbap before serving it in restaurants.

Hope this helps.