If you are a vegan but eagerly want to try out some sushi, do not worry! There are many vegan options for you out there, and Shinko sushi is one of them.
While most people are familiar with traditional non-veg sushi rolls having raw fish in them, many variations can be explored. Shinko maki – also known as takuan maki, is a favorite among vegans.
What Is Shinko Sushi? This delicious roll is made with pickled vegetables, mainly daikon, and is a great way to enjoy a change in taste and texture. Shinko sushi is a basic type of sushi usually stuffed only with strips of takuan or daikon or Oshinko.
Read on to know more about this simple but delicious and healthy sushi, its different names, and how to make it.
The History of Shinko Sushi
The origins of Shinko sushi are pretty humble. It is said that this type of sushi was created to be an easy and quick snack for farmers and field workers in ancient Japan.
The pickled vegetables used in Shinko sushi were a great way to preserve them for a long time to be taken on journeys.
Over the years, Shinko sushi has become popular as an easy and tasty vegan sushi option. It is now enjoyed by people all over the world and can be easily made at home too!
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How Did Shinko Sushi Get Its Name?
This vegan sushi can be called in a few names because of the stuffing it uses. It is called Takuan sushi, Oshinko sushi, and also Shinko sushi. Moreover, it is more popularly known as Oshinko or Takuan sushi.
There is a little confusion among people regarding its name and any difference among the three( Shinko, Takuan, and Oshoinko ).
Shinko is a name for fish, but it is also a generic term for pickles. Shinko rolls get the name from this term because of the use of pickled radish. Sushi rolls made with pickled daikon radish are known as Shinko sushi or Shinko Maki.
Takuan is a name for pickled daikon( white radish). Takuan Soho is credited with creating this yellow pickle in Japan.
Oshinko is a name for pickled vegetables but most commonly daikon or radish. Again, this falls under Tsukemono. The two are also used synonymously. It means a fresh aroma and has a short pickling time.
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How Is Shinko Sushi Made?
Making Shinko sushi is quite simple and does not require special skills or ingredients. But the making of the Shinko itself may be a little time-consuming, yet it is a simple process.
Before preparing a Shinko sushi, it is necessary to make the pickle or buy it from an Asian store. The pickles again have different names in different parts of Asia. So, get familiar with the names beforehand!
Shinko/Takuan/Oshinko Preparation
Different people and cultures follow different procedures for this. There is no correct way for doing this; instead, all are correct.
And it is necessary to pick the correct type of radish for this pickling. You need a Daikon radish here, which is white and not red. The red radishes have a peppery taste, but the Daikon ones taste sweet.
Let’s not waste time and get straight to the recipe! Here’s how to make pickled daikon radish:
- Peel 1 lb daikon radish This step can be done with a potato peeler.
- Cut the daikon radish into bite-sized pieces with a sharp knife.
- Set aside sliced daikon radishes in the jar.
- Take 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp salt, 2/3 cup sugar, and yellow food color or turmeric to give the bright yellow color. You can also add red chili pepper.
- Pour into your stripped radish jar. Cover all daikon strips with the mixture.
- Refrigerate for two to three days to allow for pickling.
Shinko Sushi Preparation
The next step is to prepare the Shinko Sushi Or Shinko Maki:
Ingredients:
4 half-sized seaweed sheets, 1 portion of Sushi rice, and 1 radish
Preparation:
- Roast seaweed sheets on one side.
- Slice pickled radish.
- Spread rice on the seaweed sheets and put the Shinko on it.
- To finish, roll the radish strips and rice into a Maki roll.
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What Is the Taste and Texture of Shinko Roll?
In a Shinko roll, the Shinko or Takuan is the keystone. This is what gives the prominent taste to Shinko sushi.
Shinko has a distinct appearance and a flavor that is even more distinct. They’re long, slender, and bright yellow in color. They also have a crunchy, salty, slightly spicy, and unexpectedly sweet flavor. They also have a pungent flavor along with these.
A sushi roll with seaweed sheets and sushi rice has an added taste of vinegared rice and briny nori sheets. Still, the flavor of Shinko overpowers the taste of rice and nori sheets.
So, the taste of Shinko sushi is a mixture of salty, sweet, tart, pungent, and crunchy.
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Health Benefits of Shinko Sushi
This sushi is not only delicious but also healthy. As it is made of pickled radish, it has many health benefits. Some of them are given below;
- Pickled radish in Shinko sushi is rich in fiber which is good for digestion and prevents constipation.
- It also helps in weight loss as it makes you feel fuller for a longer time and controls your cravings. This, in turn, reduces your calorie intake.
- Shinko sushi is also rich in Vitamin C, an immunity-boosting vitamin because of its pickled radish.
- It helps in forming red blood cells and aids in iron absorption.
- It contains many enzymes that aid in digestion.
- It provides probiotic health benefits.
- Shinko sushi fights inflammation.
- It prevents depression and anxiety.
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Where Can You Buy Shinko Sushi?
You can purchase Shinko sushi at many Asian markets. You may also be able to find it at some health food stores. If you cannot find it locally, you can order it online from several retailers.
When shopping for Shinko sushi, look for crisp radishes free of blemishes. Avoid radishes that are soft or wilted. The pickling liquid should be clear and free of sediment.
Is Shinko Sushi Vegetarian?
Shinko sushi is a vegetarian dish. It does not contain any meat or fish. Instead, it is made of pickled radish.
But if anyone wants to use any kind of fish or meat in it to experiment with it, then it will no more be vegan sushi. Basically, it is vegan sushi.
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What Is the Best Way to Eat Shinko Sushi?
Shinko sushi is best enjoyed as a snack or appetizer. Furthermore, it can be served as part of a larger meal. You can eat it by itself or with soy sauce and wasabi paste.
When you’re ready to eat your Shinko or Takuan, remove it from the pickling liquid, slice it into bite-sized pieces, and put it in your sushi. Serve it with soy sauce and wasabi paste, if desired.
Some people also eat the Shinko or Takuan by themselves as a snack or appetizer. Again some serve in a bento box; some eat it at the end of their meal to aid digestion.
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What Are Things One Should Consider When Ordering Shinko Sushi?
One should consider the quality of the radishes and the pickling liquid when ordering Shinko sushi. The radishes should be crisp and free of blemishes, and the pickling liquid should be clear and free of sediment.
One should also consider whether they want their sushi to be spicy or not. Some rolls come with spicy pickled radishes, while others do not.
Finally, one should consider the price and whether the sushi is made fresh or frozen. Fresh sushi will be more expensive but will taste better than frozen sushi.
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Conclusion: What Is Shinko Sushi?
Shinko maki is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a tasty and refreshing vegan sushi option. You don’t deserve to miss out on sushi a delicacy of Japan, just because you are vegan when you have this perfect vegan option.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Shinko sushi. Now that you know how to make it and what it tastes like, be sure to give it a try!
