Oshi Sushi(oshizushi)

Oshizushi generally refers to any type of sushi in which rice and ingredients are placed in a mold and pressed to achieve a compact, dimensionally stable structure. The term oshi 押し means “to press” or “to squeeze”, referring to the characteristic method in which the ingredients are layered into a special mold known as oshibako and then pressed firmly. This process creates a compact, rectangular block of sushi that is cut into bite-sized pieces.

While hakozushi, for example, is a specific form of oshizushi with specific ingredients and a specific history, oshizushi can be more varied and include both traditional and more modern combinations of ingredients. Oshizushi is also common in other regions of Japan, not just Osaka, and includes variations such as battera, which are also made by pressing but may differ in shape and specific ingredients.