Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply somebody looking for a simple, mild sushi to go with your meal, you’ve got a friend in the cucumber roll. It’s a classic favorite at Sushi Hana’s Bothell Japanese restaurant, consisting of a piece of cucumber rolled up in a layer of rice.
In Japan, the cucumber roll is known as the kappamaki. This name comes from a legendary Japanese demon known as the kappa, which was said to be fond of cucumber. Kappas are frequently depicted as ape-like or turtle-like monsters walking about on two legs, often engaged in mischief that ranges from simple pranks to eating children and similar acts of malice. A kappa’s weakness is a bowl-like depression in the top of its head, filled with water. As the legend goes, you can protect yourself from a kappa by tricking it to bow so that it spills this water, which drains the kappa of strength.