Oshizushi (押し寿司, pressed sushi), also known as hako-zushi (箱寿司, box sushi), is a pressed sushi from the kansai region, a favorite and specialty of osaka. a block-shaped piece is formed using a wooden mold, called an oshibako. the chef lines the bottom of the oshibako with the toppings, covers them with sushi rice, and then presses the lid of the mold down to create a compact, rectilinear block. the block is removed from the mold and then cut into bite-sized pieces. particularly famous is battera (バッテラ, pressed mackerel sushi) or saba zushi (鯖寿司). in oshizushi, all the ingredients are either cooked or cured and raw fish is never used.