Dean & Deluca’s Fancy Good Luck Sushi Rolls: Celebrating Setsubun in Style

Have you tried Dean & Deluca’s Fancy Good Luck Sushi Rolls?

In Japan, as winter thaws into spring, the Setsubun festival takes center stage on February 3, signaling good luck and fortune. Families engage in the festive mamemaki, playfully tossing soybeans to banish demons and usher in good health. 

But the culinary star of the show is the ehomaki, a delightfully oversized sushi roll brimming with gourmet fillings.

The practice involves relishing this delicacy in silence while facing the year’s lucky direction—determined by the zodiac—to secure prosperity. 

   

In the bustling aisles of grocery stores spanning from Kanto to Kansai, these rolls are a sought-after treat. 

Ehomaki varieties cater to all palates, whether it’s a roll with a heart of gold featuring tuna and crab or a fusion like the Wagyu roast beef roll sprinkled with yuzu and wrapped in tradition.

Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores are the arenas where these special rolls make their seasonal debut. In a twist, some rolls embrace international tastes, by inventive combinations such as beef marinated in citrusy ponzu. 

Each bite promises to be a blend of the rich flavors of the sea, like shrimp and salmon, or a celebration of the land with tender roast beef paired with fragrant Yuzu.

Ehomaki Options:

• Sea’s Bounty: Tuna, yellowtail, crab, and ikura wrapped with sea bream and veggies.

• East Meets West: Wagyu beef infused with yuzu and rapeseed flowers, sushi rice enrobed in nori.

• Celestial Crunch: Shrimp, salmon, and crispy tobikko, all complimented by a sweet tamagoyaki omelet.

Prices and Availability:

• Starting at 1,800 yen, the indulgence scales up with the fillings.
• Rare finds: Limited quantities ensure a race to secure these rolls.
• Available at select Dean & DeLuca locations, emphasizing the need to preorder for guaranteed satisfaction.

Eating an ehomaki is a moment of savory reflection infused with tradition. As you partake, imagine the joy of welcoming a new season filled with promise. 

• Related: 15 Budget Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo Shibuya and Shinjuku

So, mark your calendars, because nothing says ‘out with the demons, in with the fortune’ quite like a mouthwatering sushi roll on Setsubun.

What is the Lucky Sushi for Setsubun?

During Setsubun, it’s a tradition to enjoy a special type of sushi called Ehomaki. This lucky direction roll is more than just a meal; it’s part of a ritual believed to bring about good fortune for the year.

Facing Which Way While Eating Ehomaki in 2024?

When munching on your Ehomaki in 2024, remember to face northeast. It’s said that aligning yourself with the year’s lucky compass direction amplifies the sushi roll’s positive vibes.

Ehomaki Munching Ritual

Want a boost of luck from your Ehomaki? Here’s how to do it:

• Don’t chat: Stay silent while eating.
• Intention matters: Contemplate your wishes for the year as you enjoy the roll.

Ehomaki: Setsubun’s Tasty Tradition

Ehomaki translates to lucky direction roll and during Setsubun, it’s more than just food – it’s a tradition. While clinging to silence, the whole roll is consumed, pondering your desires for the year ahead. This ritual is thought to sweep away evil and attract fortune.

Luck and Ehomaki in Japanese Beliefs

In Japanese culture, Ehomaki is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. This custom, which includes devouring the entire sushi roll while facing the lucky yearly direction, represents a deliciously unique way to welcome a year of good fortune.

Ehomaki Fillings Inside Out

Here’s a quick peek at what might be in your sushi roll:

• Seafood: Tuna, prawn, or crab
• Vegetables: Cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, and pickled radish
• Extras: Omelette, fermented soybeans (natto), or shiso leaves

Remember, the Ehomaki is often filled to the brim, representing bounty and abundance.