ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Nanbanzuke

Nanbanzuke is a type of Japanese pickle made by marinating fish or vegetables in a special sauce called nanban-zu.

Okay, so first, let's talk about pickles. Do you know what pickles are? They are vegetables or fruits that are soaked in a mixture of vinegar, salt, and spices. This helps to preserve the vegetables and also gives them a nice, tangy flavor.

Now, nanban-zu is a special type of pickle sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, mirin (a type of sweet rice wine), and other seasonings. It has a very unique taste – it's sour, sweet, and salty all at the same time.

When you want to make nanbanzuke, the first thing you do is slice up some fish or vegetables. Then, you put them in a bowl and pour the nanban-zu over them. You let the fish or vegetables soak in the sauce for a few hours (or sometimes even overnight) so that they can absorb all of the flavors.

After that, you can eat the nanbanzuke! It's often served as a side dish or appetizer in Japanese cuisine.

So, in summary: nanbanzuke is a type of Japanese pickle made by marinating fish or vegetables in a sauce called nanban-zu, which is made from vinegar, soy sauce, mirin, and other seasonings. The dish is sour, sweet, and salty, and is often served as a side dish or appetizer.
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