inari-zushi

Inari-zushi is Japanese sushi made by filling fried-tofu pouches with seasoned rice. The pouches, called aburaage, are simmered in a sweet and savory dashi-based liquid before being filled. Rice is dressed with vinegar, sugar and salt, and sesame seeds may be mixed in. The soft tofu surrounds the rice rather than a sheet of nori.^[1]

Inari-zushi appears in bento boxes, supermarkets and family meals. Shapes vary: oval or rectangular forms are common around Tokyo, while triangular ones are associated with Osaka. Some preparations mix vegetables or mushrooms into the rice; others leave the pouch open and add toppings. The name refers to the Inari deity and a tradition connecting its fox messengers with fried tofu. Ingredients in the broth and toppings vary, so a tofu wrapper alone does not establish a vegetarian preparation.^[1]