Today (3 February) in Japan is setsubun, i.e. in Japan’s old calendar, it’s the day before spring begins. Beans are the food du jour, to kick out the bad and welcome the good…luck.
But sushi would also like a word.
Ehomaki is the roll of setsubun. While facing a specific direction, finishing the entire thing will bring even more luck. They’re certainly more corpulent than standard issue nigiri, but they’ve got nothing on this ehomaki that would make East German Olympians blush:
The Japanese 極太 atop the pair says “very thick,” no sh*t. One costs around 140USD, and could feed Brunei. To the left of the duo is a more common ehomaki shape.
More like aho-maki, but that’s a story for another forum.
FTR, you’re supposed to face south-southeast to throw beans this year while munching on your ehomaki this year. Also, if this is your first time, eat it like you would a burrito. That is, take bites off the entire thing. Don’t slice it. And the beans should be dried (uncooked). Throwing cooked beans just makes a mess!
This seems like it kinda justifies the American super-lucky-dragon-unagi-tempura-crunch rolls, just without the inevitable sriracha mayo and garlic sauce over everything…
