Whereas this island is legendary for its blue sea and inexperienced olive bushes, there may be one other tasty secret you will need to uncover. It’s known as Hishio Don. This particular rice bowl is a neighborhood treasure that permits you to style the deep, heat historical past of Japan in each chunk.
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What’s Hishio Don?

In easy phrases, “don” means an enormous bowl of rice with toppings. “Hishio” is the particular half. It’s an historic sauce that’s the “grandfather” of recent soy sauce and miso. It’s made by fermenting grains like soybeans and barley with salt and a particular mould known as koji.
To be an actual “Shodoshima Hishio Don,” a restaurant should observe three easy guidelines. Firstly, they have to use “Hishio” or “Moromi” (the tasty mash used to make soy sauce) made proper right here on the island. Secondly, the toppings have to be contemporary meals from the island, like native fish, beef, or greens. Lastly, they have to serve native pickles or snacks on the facet. This makes each bowl an entire island meal!
A Present from the Previous – Historical past of Hishio Don

The story of Hishio may be very lengthy and thrilling. It first got here to Japan from China about 3,000 years in the past. By the 12 months 701, it was so essential that the Japanese authorities had a particular workplace to take care of it.
For over 400 years, the individuals of Shodoshima have been masters of constructing soy sauce. They created Hishio Don to share their conventional fermenting abilities with guests in a means that’s yummy and simple to get pleasure from. Whenever you eat this bowl, you might be having fun with a recipe that has been liked for hundreds of years!
Why It Is Good for Your Physique
Hishio Don isn’t just tasty; additionally it is a “superfood” to your physique!
- Wholesome Abdomen: As a result of Hishio is a fermented meals, it comprises “good” micro organism. This helps your tummy keep completely satisfied and makes it simpler to your physique to absorb nutritional vitamins.
- Robust Muscle groups: The primary ingredient is soybeans, that are filled with plant protein. Therefore, this offers you the vitality you could discover the island!
- Coronary heart Well being: Components like soy and barley have pure helpers that may assist preserve your blood strain at a wholesome stage.
A Should-Go to Spot on attempting out Hishio Don
Shodoshima Olive Backyard (小豆島 オリーブ園)

If you would like the very best Hishio Don with a world-class view, you will need to go to the restaurant on the Shodoshima Olive Backyard (typically known as the Olive Palace). This restaurant is really particular. It sits excessive on a hill with big home windows that offer you a panoramic view of the glowing blue Seto Inland Sea. As you eat, you may see the oldest olive tree in Japan and exquisite artwork sculptures within the park.
I extremely advocate their “Hishio Don with Moromi Miso and Loads of Greens.” They prepare dinner floor meat in 100% island olive oil and season it with deep, salty-sweet moromi miso. It’s topped with colourful native greens and served with crispy olive pickles. The flavour is wealthy and satisfying! In case you are fortunate, you would possibly even get one among their 10 each day parts of Olive Beef Hishio Don, which makes use of steak from cows that eat toasted olives.
Takeaway
Hishio Don is a incredible bowl of rice that connects Japan’s historic previous with the contemporary flavors of right this moment. It’s a wholesome and filling alternative that reveals off the very best of Shodoshima Island. Whether or not you like juicy meat or contemporary island veggies, this bowl will make your coronary heart and abdomen very completely satisfied!
Your meals journey in Japan is simply starting, so get able to strive much more unbelievable flavors! You completely should strive Natto, Tsukudani, and Shodoshima Somen to expertise the total energy of conventional Japanese cooking!
Hishio-don FAQ
What’s Hishio-don?
It’s a savory rice bowl from Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture. Cooks make it with native soy sauce or moromi (fermented soy mash) and contemporary island substances. Meals lovers understand it for its wealthy umami taste and strict native ingredient guidelines.
The place does Hishio-don come from?
This native rice bowl originates from Shodoshima. Native restaurant house owners created it to advertise the island’s historic soy sauce and olive industries.
What does Hishio-don style like?
It delivers a deep, savory, and umami-rich taste. The feel varies relying on the precise meat or seafood toppings. Diners typically evaluate it to a hearty teriyaki bowl however with a way more complicated, fermented punch.
The place can I eat Hishio-don in Japan?
You will see that the very best bowls completely on Shodoshima. Well-known spots embrace native diners, resort eating places, and ferry terminals. Cooks proudly serve their very own distinctive variations in all places on the island.
How a lot does Hishio-don value?
A hearty bowl sometimes prices between 1,000 and a pair of,000 yen. Costs differ enormously relying on the restaurant and the premium native seafood or pork you choose.
Is Hishio-don vegetarian or vegan pleasant?
Conventional recipes function native pork or contemporary fish. Vegans and vegetarians can’t eat the usual restaurant variations, however they’ll simply prepare dinner plant-based bowls at dwelling utilizing tofu and genuine native soy sauce.
What are the primary substances in Hishio-don?
The primary substances embrace white rice, Shodoshima soy sauce or moromi, native greens, and island olive oil. The fermented moromi offers the dish its distinctive savory depth.
Can I make Hishio-don at dwelling?
Sure, you may simply make this dish at dwelling. Japanese grocery shops inventory the important thing ingredient — unrefined soy sauce (moromi). Dwelling cooks merely grill their favourite toppings and blend them with the sauce over sizzling rice.
What’s the distinction between Hishio-don and a daily rice bowl?
The primary distinction includes the strict culinary guidelines. This Shodoshima specialty requires genuine island soy sauce and native olive oil, whereas a daily rice bowl makes use of normal mass-produced seasonings.
Is Hishio-don fashionable exterior Japan?
It stays fully unknown exterior Japan. You’ll not often discover this particular regional dish at Japanese eating places overseas. This distinctive culinary creation efficiently maintains its particular standing fully inside Kagawa Prefecture.