It is said that although people dislike the distinctive smell of decay before getting used to it, Nare-zushi is as delicious and addicts people when they get used to such smell, because protein of fish meat is broken down into amino acid which brings a delicious taste.
食べなれない内は独特の腐敗臭が嫌われるが、魚肉のタンパク質がうまみ成分であるアミノ酸へ分解されるため、一旦慣れると病みつきになるほど美味であるとされる。