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Sohonke Mehariya Shingu Honten

A perfect combination of Takana pickles and rice! Enjoy Nanki area’s local soul food.

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Mehari-zushi, oval-shaped rice balls wrapped in pickled takana, has been a popular soul food in the Nanki area around Shingu City for a long time. It is said that it was originally a staple in the lunch boxes of people working in the mountains and by the sea. It has gained popularity as a convenience food in recent years due to its wild flavor, a combination of pickled takana and rice, and its beautiful appearance that does not lose its shape even after a long time.

There are various theories about the name’s origin, but the most popular one is that it was called “Mehari (eyes wide open)” because people were surprised by its flavor and size. Soy sauce is commonly used to flavor rice, but there are many variations depending on the restaurant, such as using vinegar or pickled plums as ingredients.

Sohonke Mehariya was founded in 1962 and is known for being the first to commercialize Mehari-zushi. The main restaurant is in Shingu, and another branch is in front of JR Wakayama Station. Their unique feature is adding chopped pickled takana stems in the rice and flavoring it with a secret soy sauce-based sauce. Note that the Mehari-zushi are made by hand with hot rice after each order is placed, so you can enjoy warm Mehari-zushi like nowhere else. The flavor will be absorbed and changed if you let them rest for a while. You may want to eat some of it in the restaurant and take some out to enjoy a different flavor.

The Otameshi set (1,350 yen), which includes Mehari-zushi, kushikatsu (fried pork on sticks) and tonjiru (pork miso soup), is recommended. Mehari-zushi (4 for 640 yen) can be taken out.

Highlights

  • Mehari-zushi is Nanki area’s soul food, an oval-shaped rice ball wrapped in pickled takana.
  • At “Sohonke Mehariya Shingu Honten”, founded in 1962, the secret sauce is the key ingredient for the flavor.
  • The Mehari-zushi are made by hand with hot rice after each order is placed.

Photos

  • The appearance of Shingu Honten

    The appearance of Shingu Honten

  • Many other foods to choose besides Mehari-zushi.

    Many other foods to choose besides Mehari-zushi.

  • Must-try food, Mehari-zushi

    Must-try food, Mehari-zushi

  • Chopped takana pickle is in the rice.

    Chopped takana pickle is in the rice.

  • Oden with miso sauce.

    Oden with miso sauce.

  • There are various types of rooms available.

    There are various types of rooms available.

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Details

Name in Japanese
総本家めはりや 新宮本店
Postal Code
647-0006
Address
5-6 Yakushimachi, Shingu City, Wakayama
Telephone
0735-21-1238
Holiday
Wednesdays
Hours
11:00am-10:00pm(L.O.9:00pm)
Budget
2,000 yen ~3,000 yen
Directions
About 12 minutes on foot from JR Kisei Honsen Line, Shingu Station.
Credit Cards
Accepted(VISA, MasterCard)
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)