Sohonke Mehariya

Sohonke Mehariya, on Bukkoji-dori in central Wakayama City, is credited with popularizing mehari-zushi, the rice ball wrapped in pickled takana (mustard leaf) that is one of the signature foods of the Kishu region encompassing Wakayama Prefecture. The dish began as a portable meal for woodcutters and farmers -- the name is said to derive from the wide-mouthed ('me-hari') bite needed to eat the large rice balls -- and this restaurant serves it in its original form alongside a broader izakaya menu of kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and oden (simmered hot pot). The dining room has a traditional, unfussy izakaya character with counter and table seating, casual dress, and a moderate noise level typical of a neighborhood spot popular with both locals and visitors seeking the regional specialty. Drinks run to standard izakaya fare -- beer, sake, and shochu -- rather than a curated wine list. The restaurant closes on Wednesdays and keeps a split lunch-and-dinner schedule; dinner reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends, since the mehari-zushi set draws a steady stream of diners specifically seeking out the dish's origin restaurant.