🍱 Iri-meshi/Iriko-meshi

"Iri-meshi" is a dish in which whitebait is seasoned with vinegar or sauce sauce, then mixed with rice along with other ingredients such as fish cake, shiitake mushroom, konnyaku, and burdock root. Depending on the region, it is also referred to as "Iriko-meshi." It is a regional cuisine that has been passed down generation through generation for over 100 years. "Iri (iriko)" refers to the whitebait, and in the past, it was known as a rice dish that contained only whitebait. The key is to thoroughly marinate the iri (iriko). Another tip for making it more delicious is to properly season the finely chopped ingredients. Whitebait are often harvested in Wadajimacho, Komatsushima City, Tokushima. They are boiled and sun-dried immediately after catching, keeping them fresh and flavorful.