What does “Namida (sushi)” mean?(NAMIDA)
wasabi (Wasabia japonica)old name of Tokyo
Sushi chefs refer to wasabi as “Namida” because eating wasabi causes a twinge in the nose that brings tears to the eyes. Thin nori rolls with grated or chopped leaf or stem wasabi as garnish are called “Namida-maki. Wasabi has long been used as a spice with antibacterial effects against odors and food poisoning pathogens. The use of wasabi in sushi began in the late Edo period (1603-1868), when nigirizushi (hand-rolled sushi) was introduced. It is widely believed that the first sushi chef in Edo, Hanaya Yohei, was the first to use wasabi.
