Nigiri sushi, now popular worldwide, was first made in Edo (Tokyo) in the mid-19th century.
At the time, nigiri sushi was made using fish caught in the Edo area and prepared with salt and rice vinegar. It was a popular street food among the Edo people. Matazaemon Nakano, who founded Mizkan in 1804 in Bishu Handa, invented a new vinegar made from sake lees. This vinegar could be used in sushi rice instead of rice vinegar.
With its unique flavor, Mizkan’s sake lees vinegar became popular among sushi chefs.
The strong connection between sushi and Mizkan continues even today, as sushi has become popular worldwide.