Ehomaki (恵方巻), which is made up of the kanji for 恵 (favoured, blessed), 方 (direction), and 巻 (roll), is a thick sushi roll containing a variety of toppings packed in and is eaten on the evening of setsubun, which marks the last day of winter.
Both setsubun (節分), the last day of winter and risshun, (立春), the first day of spring, are associated with the old lunar calendar. And although Japan has since switched to the Gregorian calendar, many people in Japan continue to celebrate many of the traditions connected to the Lunar New Year.
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Setsubun is usually (but not always) held on the 3rd of February of the year and brings with it a host of special celebrations such as mamemaki (bean throwing) and decorating with hiiragi iwashi (a holly branch attached to a sardine head)!
What is Ehomaki, And Where Did it Start?
It is thought that people began eating ehomaki in Osaka during the Edo period. Until recently, it was mainly practised by those living in the Kansai region; however, a nationwide marketing campaign led by larger supermarkets and convenience stores brought the custom to the rest of Japan.
Although appearance-wise, ehomaki is comparable to sushi, unlike sushi, ehomaki is left uncut and eaten as is. Another notable difference between the two is that ehomaki usually contains seven toppings, representing the 7 Gods of Fortune who bring wealth and happiness.
Seven is also seen as a lucky number in Japan, so if you go for an ehomaki with seven toppings, you may be able to attract even more luck!
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There are no set rules on which ingredients should be used for ehomaki, but it’s not uncommon to see roe, cucumber, salmon, crabstick and shiitake mushrooms, amongst many other things! Yum!
The Three Rules of Ehomaki
1. Ehomaki should be eaten facing the lucky direction of the year
Every year, the lucky direction (恵方 eho) for that year is decided based on the Chinese astrological calendar. This year’s lucky direction for 2025 is West-Southwest (西南西, Sei-nansei)!
So, if you decide to buy ehomaki this year, remember to eat while facing West-Southwest!
2. Ehomaki should be eaten in silence
It is believed that if you talk while eating ehomaki, all the good fortune that ehomaki is supposed to bring will escape.
3. Ehomaki must not be cut into smaller pieces
You should never cut the edges off an ehomaki; otherwise, it is said that you’re cutting off your fortune!
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A Twist on Tradition!
Since COVID-19 there have been many changes in Japan, especially within the food industry. More places offer takeout and have added specialty menu items, like this tasty roll. Some restaurants have even added their own twist to ehomaki, from rolls that are sprinkled with gold foil to rolls wrapped in Wagyu beef instead of nori (seaweed)!
Some high-end restaurants will have set menus that include ehomaki, but will likely be reservation-only, so we advise to book ahead or visit the respective restaurant’s site for more details. If you’re not into the fancy dinner style, then you can simply stop by your local supermarket or convenience store and buy one.
Controversy
Although eating ehomaki is a fun and traditional way to welcome in spring, it hasn’t been without controversy.
Like most other high-income countries, Japan has had a long-running problem with food waste. Every year, when department stores and supermarkets begin preparing for Setsubun, they prepare vast amounts of ehomaki that go to waste if they aren’t sold.
Back in 2018, there was some controversy around large amounts of ehomaki being wasted by supermarkets that had been overproducing the rolls to meet their customers’ needs. To try and avoid a repeat this year, many people are calling out for convenience and department stores to watch out for their waste, while many restaurants are operating on a reservation-only system to avoid the same.
So, this year, if you’ve got some time, why not try making your own ehomaki at home? Here’s a quick and easy recipe:
Ehomaki Recipe:
Ingredients:
- Rolled omelette
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Kanpyo (dried gourd strips)
- Cooked eel or seafood (optional)
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Pickled vegetables
- Cooked short-grain rice
- Nori (Seaweed) sheets
Tools:
- Sushi mat (for rolling)
- if you don’t have one you can simply use the clear wrap and roll on a table
- small bowl of water
- clear wrap (for rolling)
Steps:
- Using your sushi mat, place the clear wrap on top and then lay your nori sheet on top.
- dipping your hand in the bowl of water, grab a small amount of rice and spread a thin layer on the nori, dipping your hands once the rice begins to stick to them.
- Once the rice has been evenly spread, lay a slice of the omelette, cucumber, kanpyo, seafood (if added), shiitake mushrooms, and pickled vegetables to the end closest to you.
- If using the sushi mat, start rolling it by pulling the mat up and around the roll, once its been rolled properly you can remove it and enjoy!
- If you don’t have a sushi mat, you can follow the same steps using clear plastic wrap.
Attract Good Fortune For The Year Ahead Through Ehomaki!
Whether you choose to enjoy the Setsubun festivities at home or at a restaurant, ensure that you’re following the rules and face the proper way to bring good fortune for the year ahead.
This year, why not try taking part in traditions like mamemaki and hiiragi iwashi to get you in the mood to welcome in spring?
For More Related Articles:
- Setsubun – The Bean-Throwing Festival in Japan is Today!
- 5 Epic Japanese Festivals to Put in Your Diary for Next Summer!
- 4 Seasonal Japanese Vegetables to Eat in Spring
- Does Japan Celebrate Chinese New Year? Lunar New Year in Japan
- Hina Matsuri: A Celebration of Girls
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