Category Archives: Fish

Local Shizuoka Fish & Seafood at Parche Fish Market In Shizuoka City: Including “Red mackerel/Bonnetmouth!

November 21, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

With the coming of winter, the Fish Market at Parche inside the Shizuoka JR Station is always a great place to make new discoveries and and also find more about the fish regularly caught in Shizuoka Prefecture!

First of all, it is always a good idea to check the “mixed batch of the day”!

Wanigochi/鰐鯒/Bartail flathead.
Houbou/方々: red gurnard, red robin.
Inada/イナダ: Young Buri/鰤/Yellowtail.
Isaki/伊佐木、伊佐幾、鶏魚: chicken grunt.
Koshyo (Koshiodai)/胡椒鯛: crescent sweetlips.
Mejina/眼仁奈: largescale blackfish.
Kurodai/黒鯛: Japanese black porgy.
Suzuki/鱸: Japanese seabass, Japanese dace.
Kasago/笠子、瘡魚: False kelpfish, Marbled rockfish.
Shiratai/白鯛: white snapper.
Kawahagi/皮剥: filefish, leather jacket.
Anago/穴子/: conger eel (not from Shizuoka, but from Miyazaki Prefecture)

impressive Suzuki/鱸: Japanese seabass, Japanese dace!

Let’s look around for some unusual species first!
Now, what are those vivid red prawns?

Tougarashi Ebi/唐辛子海老/Red chili prawns!
Actually, it is a variety of large prawn/Botan ebi/牡丹海老 found in Suruga Bay!

Now, what are those beautiful red fish in the same bucket as mackerels?

Aka saba/赤サバ/Red mackerels?

Actually, it is called so only in Suruga Bay and Kanto area. The English name is “Bonnetmouth/Pacific Bonnetmouth”. In other areas of japan it is called “Hachibiki/葉血引”!

Alright, let’s look at the more common species found in ur Prefecture!
What is this shellfish?

Asari/浅利/Japanese littleneck, Manila clam!

Beautiful squids!

Akaika/赤烏賊: red squid

Splendid long silvery fish!

Tachiuo/太刀魚、魛: scabbard fish, cutlass fish!

Aka kasago/赤笠子、赤瘡魚: rockfish, marbled rockfish, scorpionfish!

Madai/真鯛: Japanese seabream!

Karasudai/烏鯛：another name for Ishidai/石鯛: striped beakfish, barred knifejaw！

Top: Madai/真鯛: Japanese seabream!
Bottom: Azukihata/小豆羽太, another name for Kijihata/雉羽太(also called Akou/茂魚,石茂魚): redspotted grouper!

Again, Madai/真鯛: Japanese seabream!

Himekari/姫光: a rare deep sea fish found in Suruga Bay near Numazu City

Onikasago/鬼笠子、鬼瘡魚: Devil scorpion fish!

Akahata/赤羽太: Blacktip grouper!

Higetara/髭鱈: snubnose brotula!

Kuro Mebaru/黒眼張、黒眼張魚、黒鮴/Black Japanese sea perch!

Aka Shitabirame/赤舌平目: Red sole

Kaiwari/貝割: whitefin trevally!

To finish1
Top: Kasago/笠子、瘡魚: False kelpfish, Marbled rockfish
Bottom: Akahata/赤羽太: an expensive variety of red grouper, epinephelus fasciatus

See you there again soon!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Gizzard Shad, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish Species 9: Kohada/Gizzard Shad

November 11, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kohada/コハダ、or “small skin” actually is not the Japanese name of gizzard shad, but a generic name for the small fish as sashimi or sushi.
The real Japanese name for gizzard shad is konoshiro/コノシロ, and even the same fish goes by other names depending on its size:
-Up to 5 cm: shinko/シンコ
-Around 10 cm: kohada/コハダ
-More than 15 cm: konoshiro/コノシロ

Although the main fishing/angling season is around November~December, it can be found in good sushi restaurants all year round.
This said, in July, it will be the small shinko season.

Choose fresh specimens. Fish with reddish eyes and flaking scales should be avoided.
The fish is particularly popular pickled in salt and vinegar before being served either as sashimi or sushi, as the smell emanating form the grilled fish is too strong for many.

Kohada maki, with no rice, is an interesting morsel for people wishing to savour it alone with a great drink.

But it is most popular as sushi!
The small size of the fish allows for all kinds of combinations, but the fun, and the skill, reside in the “shallow cutting” practiced by many chefs for best taste.

The cutting techniques are almost infinite.
I hope that the following pictures will give an idea of what to expect, or create!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Filefish, Fish, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish Species 8: Kawahagi/Thread-sail Filefish

November 5, 2014 dragonlife 3 Comments

Kawahagi or Thread-sail Filefish (or simply Filefish) is an angler’s favorite in summer, although it is caught almost all year round in Shizuoka.
Like any other fishes, it has other names such as “Gihagi, “Hagi”, “Gyuu”, “Subuta” or “bakuchiuchi”.
It is fairly common in Central and South Japan.
It is called Leather jJcket down in Australia where it is considered a pest!

The skin should be rough like that of a shark and brightly coloured.
Avoid sticky skin fish.
The bigger the size, the greater the taste (anglers, enjoy!)

In Kansai area, it replaces Fugu/Globefish when it is out of season for its similarity as sashimi.

Actually it makes for superlative sashimi as demonstrated by the above O-Tsukuri served at Sushi Ko in Shizuoka City!

The same served with its own liver dip!

It can make for a spectacular sashimi presentation as a whole fish sashimi plate!

Both its flesh and liver can served raw!

Australians would be surprised to discover it served as tartare on Italian-style crostinis!

The perfect Kawahagi sushi nigiri must have be topped with its liver!

Cut in small slices, it makes for beautiful sushi gunkan!

Cooked, it is very popular simmered in soy sauce, mirin and sugar. A great accompaniment for a nice bowl of freshly steamed rice!

If you want to serve it as tempura, first season it with umeboshi/Japanese pickled plums flesh of the sweet kind.

Now, what does this remind you of? Foie gras? Almost right! Grilled kawahagi Liver!

——————————————————————
Savoring the full Filefish meal at Sushi Ko, Shizuoka City:

Back in June, as I had to atone for some somewhat egoistical pleasure-seeking, I took the Missus to our favourite Sushi Restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely Sushi Ko,located along Aoba Park.

Although we did order the inevitable favourites, “katsuo/bonito” sashimi, “Shirako to Ankimo/Combination of Cod Sperm sacs and Frogfish/Monkfish liver”, “Pon Kara Maguro/Deep-fried tuna cubes”, “Shishamo/Spirinchus lanceolatus”, “Hotate/Scallops”, “Maguro Zuke/Marinated Tuna sushi”, and “Amaebi nigiri to Shiraebi Gunkan/Sweet shrimp and white shrimp sushi”, the star of the day was “Kawahagi/Filefish”!

The chef took a splendid live specimen (see top pic) just caught off Mochimune coast in Shizuoka City out of the “aquarium” and proceeded to serve the complete fish in three different manners:

“O-Tsukuri”:
After having taken away the inedible skin, the chef first cut the fillets into very thin slices to be served with thin leeks and dip sauce made of ponzu mixed with the fresh liver of the same fish. As now is the best season, those comparatively thin fish come up with enormous livers!

“O nigiri”:
The chef managed to keep four slices aside to prepare nigiri with the fish flesh topped with a piece of its liver, some “momiji oroshi/grated daikon with chili pepper” and seasoned with ponzu!

“Kara age”:
The “cheeks bones” with their meat were last deep-fried and served as they are with some lemon. Simple and great!
All this with one single fish!

Sushi Ko
shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho. 2-3-1 (Aoba Koen)
Tel.: 054-2512898
Business Hours： 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 （Sundays）
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bonito, Fish, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish Species 7: Katsuo/Bonito

November 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Bonito or “katsuo/鰹” in Japanese are extensively caught by fishermen from Numazu, Shimizu, Yaizu and Omaezaki Harbors (all Shizuoka Prefecture). The main fishing areas are Shizuoka, Mie, Kochi & Miyazaki Prefectures.
It is also called “katsu” (Tohoku Region), “Honkatsuo” (Kyushu Island), “Magatsuo” (Shikoku and Kyushu Islands. N.B.: the same name designates another fish in other parts of Japan!), “Suji” (Yamaguchi & Wakayam Pref.).
It appears on the markets early Spring~Autumn as “sho gatsuo” (first bonito in Spring) and “modori gatsuo” (return bonito end of Autumn).
They are traditionally line-caught but nets have been used extensively in recent years.

It can be appreciated raw, as sashimi with its skin or without it, preferably served with a saucer of soy sauce (shoyu) mixed with thin slices of fresh garlic, or with wasabi, a touch of lemon and shoyu,

or as nigiri topped with grated fresh ginger a thin slice of garlic, unless you prefer grated fresh ginger with chopped thin leeks.

The same is done with lightly grilled/aburi (or tataki) bonito as sushi nigiri.

Another very popular way to eat it that will please Europeans and North Americans alike, is “tataki”.

The fish is first seared/grilled over charcoal until it is lightly cooked on the whole outside then plunged into iced water to stop it from cooking any longer. It is then cut into large slices and served with freshly chopped garlic and thin leeks, “shiso” leaves (perilla/beefsteak plant) and wasabi.

Note 1: in restaurants specify whether you want the skin or not when ordering sashimi.

Note 2: the same fish is a staple food in Sri Lanka where it is first smoked and then prepared as soup or curry!

It is one of the most versatile fish in Japan.
It can be appreciated in many ways:
As a simple donburi/on a bowl or rice at home (see above picture),

Lightly seared and served as carpaccio,

as bogata sushi/whole fish stuffed with sushi rice,

as oshizushi/pressed sushi,

but my favorite is probably as zuke/marinated in soy sauce, mirin, sake, etc. before being served with a slice of garlic!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Japanese Fish, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish Species 6: Kampachi/Amberjack

October 19, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

With the first days of Autumn upon us, Kampachi or Amberjack is appearing on our plates in Japan!

The fish seems to have so many names in any language: Amberjack, Purplish Amberjack, Yellowtail, Greater Yellowtail, and Ruderfish in English, whereas in Japanese it is called Kampachi, Akahana, Kampa, or Shokko among others, not accounting for regional names!.

It is caught along Central and South Honshu Island, including a lot in Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture!
It is a very popular fish as it happens to come just in between Hiramasa/Young Japanese Amberjack-Five ray Yellowtail in Summer and Buri/Mature Japanese Amberjack-Five Ray Yellowtail in Winter, making a favourite for the season, but bringinga lot of confusion on foreign tables because of the similar names.
Kampachi (Seriola dumerili (Risso) in Latin) and Buri (Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck and Schlegel in Latin) are very similar but their season is different. Beware of scams! Actually the meat looks different.

Kampachi vs Buri Sushi nigiri

Natural Kampachi is quite rare in Japan these days whereas human-raised are plenty.

Claasic way to present a kamppachi sushi nigiri.

Kampachi is savoured in many ways: Sashimi & Sushi, Grilled (Yakimono), Simmered (Nizuke), Meuniere and fried.
Choose comparatibely small specimens. Beware of the large cheap specimens!
Ask for a variation in Sushi called “Kampachi Aburi”?kampachi lightly grilled on one side: a beauty!

Kampachi ramen!

Kampachi Donburi!

Grilled kampachi!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Japanese Fish, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish Species 5: Ishigarei/Stone Flounder

October 15, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Ishigarei, イシガレイ、石鰈 in Japanese, is another popular flatfish/flounder in this country. For the specialists the Englidh name is stone flounder, and its Latin name Kareus bicoloratus. Interestingly enough these fishe are commonly called flatfish in Englisｈ, whereas the Japanese write them as “leaf Fishes”!

In Japan, depending upon the region it will be called other names, such as Ishimochi, Ishimochigarei or Shirogarei.
Their season is mainly in Summer in Hokkaido and Eastern Japan, although they might appear a lot earlier in Shizuoka.

Ishigarei is considered the best of all flounders in this country. People generally avoid to catch them during the female egg incubation, but the same egg-bearing fish are a delicacy in Tokyo.

Always choose “lively” specimens when buying them as the taste will soon deteriorate if the fish is not dressed quickly first.
If angler-friend of yours calls on the phone with one of them, don’t discuss and buy the fish!

Stone flounders make for such superlative sashimi that it becomes a bit of a waste to consume it in another way.

But who would pass such a Japanese-style carpaccio?

Or an Italian Carpaccio?

Sushi lovers will appreciate it as a sushi nigiri!

A truly extravagant sushi nigiri display. Eat it quickly!

Alright, you were not lucky enough to get it absolutely fresh.
In this case simmer it the Japanese way as Ishigarei Ni (Ni stands for simmer) with soy sauce, sake, mirin and ginger!

Or do it the Italian way with olive oil and dry tomatoes!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Fish Markets, Shizuoka City

Local Shizuoka Fish & Seafood at Parche Fish Market in Shizuoka City: including Shirasu/Sardine Whiting!

September 9, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Autumn seems hesitant to come to us here in Shizuoka and blazing hot days are alternating with cool overcast skies. But the fish don’t seem to change much yet at Parche Market in Shizuoka JR Station!
Better have another look!

The “mixed batch”!
I wonder what they have?

Most of them from Shizuoka Prefecture:
Hirame/平目、鮃、比目魚: sole, flatfish, Kuchimi/口美 (also called Fuefukidai/笛吹鯛): Adjutant, Aoigochi/青い鯒、青い牛尾魚: blue flathead, Kanpachi/間八、環八: greater amberjack, Japanese amberjack, Koshyo (Koshiodai)/胡椒鯛: crescent sweetlips, Madai/真鯛: Japanese seabream, Bora/鯔: mullet, and Umazura/馬面 (also called Umazurahagi/馬面剥): black scraper, Filefish, Scraper, a large variety of filefish!

Beautiful fish!

What kind of squids are they?

Surume ika/鯣烏賊: Japanese flying squid, Japanese common squid, Pacific flying squid from Sagara!

Beautiful seabreams there!

Tennen Madai/天然真鯛: wild Japanese seabream! Expensive!

Onikasago/鬼笠子、鬼瘡魚: Devil scorpion fish!

Hirame/平目、鮃、比目魚: sole, flatfish!

Isaki/伊佐木、伊佐幾、鶏魚: chicken grunt!

Bankokarei/バンコ鰈： a small variety of turbot!

Amadai/甘鯛: tilefish!

Akamutsu/赤鱫、赤鯥 (also called Nodokuro/喉黒): rosy seabass, red gnomefish!

Tamagashira/タマガシラ: Monocle-bream.Redbelt monocle-bream!

Mizukamasu/水魳、水梭魚、水梭子魚: a variety of Japanese barracuda!

Renkodai/連子鯛: Yellowback seabream!

Hedai/平鯛: goldlined seabream-tarwhine-stumpnose!

Maaji/真鯵: Japanese jack mackerel!

Akaika/赤烏賊: red squid, ommastrephes bartramii!

Kasago/笠子、瘡魚: False kelpfish, Marbled rockfish!

Shirasu/白子(Namashirasu/生白子 if raw): sardine whiting!
A Shizuoka specialty!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fish, Japanese Fish, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish Species 4: Hirame/Olive Flounder, Bastard Halibut, Tonguefish, Sole

August 22, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Hirame/平目

“Hirame” could be translated in many ways depending of your country of origin: Flat Fish, Sole, Ｔurbot (although the latter should define “karei”) and what else. There are many varieties, wild or human-rasied. In Japanese, the names are numerous: Hirame, Shitabirame, Ooguchikarei, Oyanirami, etc.

Actually they can be divided into two main groups:

1)The Olive flounder or Bastard halibut (Paralichthys olivaceus; Japanese: ヒラメ/平目) is a species of large-tooth flounder native to the north-western Pacific Ocean.
It is often referred to as the Japanese flatfish or Korea(n) flatfish (광어) when mentioned in the context of those countries.
It is the most common flatfish species raised in aquaculture in Korea. They are raised in Japan and China as well.

Shitabirame/舌平目

2) Tonguefishes (shitabirame/舌平目in Japanese) are a family, Cynoglossidae, of flatfishes. They are distinguished by the presence of a long hook on the snout overhanging the mouth, and the absence of pectoral fins. Their eyes are both on the left side of their body, which also lacks a pelvic fin.

The best season is Autumn to Winter. They are still available until Spring in Shizuoka Prefecture. Wild ones come from Hokkaido and Aomori. Human-fed ones mainly hail from Oita, Ehime, Mie, and Kagoshima Prefectures.

Hirame Sashimi

The domestic wild catch is around 7600 tonnes a year, while human-fed fish amount to around 7100 tonnes a year. A recent increase has been observed in recent years, though. A lot are imported from Korea through Fukuoka and Shimonoseki.
They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans, mainly in shallow waters and estuaries, though a few species found in deep sea floors, and a few in rivers.

Hirame can be enjoyed in many ways:
As sashimi, cut in various thickness, according to the chef’s preference and presented artfully.

It can be enjoyed cut in small dices, as tartare, especially shitabirame/tonguefish with tomato and strawberry!

Of course, hirame is great as sushi nigiri with all kinds of seasoning I prefer it just seasoned with a little lemon juice or yuzu (if available) and salt (preferably “snow salt” from Okinawa!

The Japanese have a fondness for “engawa”, that is the frilled border along the fillets which are usually thrown away in other countries. The texture is different, almost crunchy.

Hirame is great marinated with konbu/seaweed as konbujime/seaweed marinated.

The same konbujime hirame can be served as oshizushi/pressed sushi topped with more seaweed!

An interesting oshizusshi combination is hirame topped with kabu/turnip and seasoned with yuzu juice and zest!

It is also very popular dried as himono/干物, especially shitabirame/tonguefish.

Naturally the Japanese all kinds of hirame cooked in the French way in a simple and succulent manner as above,

or as a beautiful gratin!

Last, but not least, how about grilled hirame with uni/sea urchin sauce?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fish, Fish Markets, Shizuoka City

Local Shizuoka Fish & Seafood at Parche Fish Market in Shizuoka City: including Bermuda Fish!

August 21, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

With all the persisting heat slamming us every day I was wondering what fish could reach us at Parch Supermarket inside Shizuoka JR Station.
And I did find manage to some unusual specimens!

I was particularly attracted by these dark fish!

The one at the top from Nagasaki in Kyushu Prefecture was quite expensive but the one from Numazu harbor was reasonable!

Kuromutsu/黒鱫、黒鯥: Black gnomefish from Nagasaki!

Sabidachi/さびだち(also called Kuroshibikamasu/黒シビ梭魚): snake mackerel, Bermuda fish from Numazu harbor!
It is a variety of barracuda!

Beautiful fish there, too!

I was interested in the long silvery one from Yui harbor, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Tachiuo/太刀魚、魛: scabbard fish, cutlass fish!

Very fresh!

Typical fish from Shozuoka over there!

Peek season in Numazu City!

Maaji/真鯵: Japanese jack mackerel

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Buri, Fish, Yellowtail

Japanese Fish Species 3: Buri/Yellowtail

August 16, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

We are just between two distinct seasons for Buri/鰤 or Yellowtail, as Hiramasa or young Yellowtail is caught in Summer and Buri/Mature Yellowtail is caught in Winter.

How do you recognize them apart?

Buri has a “square chin” as they say in Japanese. Look at the back extremity of the mouth,

whereas it is more rounded for the hiramasa.

In Japan they are caught south of Hokkaido Island.
They come under many names: Wakashi, Inada, Warasa, Wakana, Hamachi and Mejiro.

Buri/Yellowyail is most popular when caught in rising waters in Winter when called Kan Buri/寒鰤 or “Cold Yellowtail.

Buri sashimi after light grill/Aburi/炙り

Young Yellowtails are best eaten as sahimi or

Buri Sushi

or as sashimi as they are leaner then.

Older buri, containing a lot of fat, are better eaten cooked

Buri Teriyaki,

Buri Ara with the whole head, or

Buri Mopponzu, including innards, especially liver and heart.

In the West of Japan, a New Year Meal cannot be conceived without buri!

Natural Buri catch accounts for 70,000~80,000 tonnes, while human-raised buri accounts for over 130,000 tonnes every year.
Imported buri account for less than 3,000 tonnes.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fish, Japanese Fish, Mullet

Japanese Fish Species 2: Bora/Mullet

August 12, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

There are at least 12 recognized kinds of mullet being caught all over the world.
The flathead mullet in particular is an important food fish for many around the world, and can be both fished and farmed. The roe of this mullet is salted, dried, and compressed to make a specialty food across the world, such as Korean myeongran jeot, Japanese karasumi, Italian botargo, and Egyptian batarekh . In Egypt, the fish itself is salted, dried, and pickled to make feseekh.

Flathead Mullet, Mugil Cephalus in Latin, or Bora/鯔/鰡 in Japanese will reach length of over 80 cm in Japan, although the average length will more around 50 cm.

It is caught south of Hokkaido near river mouths or in bays receiving lots of river waters.
Like any other fish, it will be called other names depending upon the region: Isegoi (Western Japan), Itanebora (Ehime Prefecture), Mabora (Hiroshima Prefecture), Tsukura (Okinawa), Kuchime, Mejiro, Hebuna, Haku, Makuchi, Kurome, or Merome.

It is a versatile fish:

Served raw as sashimi in Japanese Cuisine or,

as carpaccio in Italian style.

It is more unusual as sushi nigiri (front two) and will probably be found as such only locally.

To answer a query from Luke, it is more encountered cooked:
Deep-fried and served with a soy-based sauce is common to many asian countries.

Deep-fried before being served wit a sweet and sour sauce,

or the same again with tofu is popular in Taiwan (and in Japan!).

First steamed and then served with a sauce made with sweet pickled plum and miso is supposed to be of Chinese origin, but can be found again in many Asians countries.

But for all these recipes, the most valuable (and very expensive at that!) is the roe of the female mullets!

It is served as it is extravagantly in Japanese or Italian cuisine sashimi or carpaccio.

The combinations are infinite!

An extravagant salad of Japanese and Italian inspiration!

Grated over an extravagant pasta dish!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fat greenling, Fish, Japanese Fish

Japanese Fish Species 1: Ainame/Fat Greening

August 10, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Ainame/アイナメ/Hexagrammos otakii or Fat Greening is a truly Japanese seasonal fish, which has become a rarity as it lives only around the Japanese archipelago along rocky shores in water comparatively high in salt (some are also found around the Korean Peninsula).
Luckily enough it has been raised successfully in the Western part of Shizuoka Prefecture for the last few years.
Its rarity is caused by its popularity with anglers and its very fine taste.
A cousin of the rock fish, it is called many other names such as Aburako, Aburame and when young, Kujime.
The best season is in may and June. As it lay eggs in Winter, the taste loses its appeal.

It is a real morsel to be enjoyed in many ways:

As sashimi, even its skin is edible!

It makes for superb sushi nigiri!

Like any great white-fleshed fish, you must sample it in karaage/deep-fried!

The same karaage can be then marinated!

Another great way to enjoy it is to cook it as Japanese nimono, either slowly simmered or steamed and served with a soy sauce, sake and mirin sauce!

Of course it makes for a supreme delicacy “poelee” in French or Italian gastronomy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

English-Japanese lexicon, Fish, Japanese Fish

Japanese Fish: Japanese~English Lexicon (regularly amended)

August 1, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

I thought that such a lexicon would become handy both for English-speaking newcomers and long term residents!

I wrote the Japanese pronunciation first, the Chinese (Japanese kanji) characters and the English translations.

bear in mind that many fish have many names depending on the Japanese region. These are the common names.
If you have a question I will be glad to investigate!

A separate lexicon is being prepared for all other seafood!

——————————–
Traditional Japanese Fish Classification

Akami/赤身: red-fleshed fish (tuna, bonito, etc)
Amago/アマゴ: fresh water Red spotted masu trout, Satsukimasu salmon
Gyoran/魚卵: Fish roe (salmon roe, etc)
Hikarimono/光り物: “shining fish” (scabbard fis, etc.)
Nagamono/長もの: “long fish” (eels, etc.)
Saamon/サーモン: salmons
Shiromi/白身: white-fleshed fish (sole, etc.)

Fish varieties

Aburagarei/油鰈: a cheap variety of karei/鰈: righteye flounder, atheresthes evermanni Jordan and Starks
Aodai/青鯛: “blue snapper”, paracaesio caeruleus (Katayama)
Atorantikku saamon/アトランティックサーモン: Atlantic salmon
Ainame/鮎並、愛魚女: greenling
Akahata/赤羽太: an expensive variety of red grouper, epinephelus fasciatus
Aka isaki/赤伊佐木、赤伊佐幾、赤鶏魚/Red chicken grunt
Aka jinmiidai/赤仁羽鯛 (also called Sujiara/筋𩺊): Red-spotted rockcod, Blue spotted grouper
Akakamasu/赤梭魚、赤梭子魚、赤魳 (also called Honkamasu/本梭魚、本梭子魚、本魳): red barracuda, sphyraena pinguis Gunther
Aka kasago/赤笠子、赤瘡魚: rockfish, marbled rockfish, scorpionfish
Akamanbou/赤万包 (also called Mandai/万鯛): Opah,Moonfish
Aka mebaru/赤メバル: red Japanese sea perch-rockfish
Akamutsu/赤鱫、赤鯥 (also called Nodokuro/喉黒): rosy seabass, red gnomefish
Akou/茂魚,石茂魚 (also called kijihata/雉羽太): redspotted grouper
Akoudai/赤魚鯛: rose fish
Amadai/甘鯛: tilefish
Amenouo (Biwa masu)/岩魚, 鯇、天之魚（琵琶鱒）: Biwa trout, Biwa salmon (fresh water), char
Aanago/穴子、海鰻: conger eel
Ankou/鮟鱇、鮟: frogfish, monkfish
Ara/𩺊: sawedged perch
Ayu/鮎、香魚: ayu, ayu fish (fresh water)
Bachimaguro/鉢鮪・撥鮪(also known as Mebachi/目鉢。眼撥or as Mebachimaguro/目鉢鮪・眼撥鮪): big-eyed tuna
Bakemaguro/化け鮪(also called Koshinagamaguro/腰長鮪): longtail tuna, longtailed tuna, spot-side tuna (the smallest tuna in Japan)
Binchoumaguro/鬢長鮪 (also known as Binnaga/鬢長 and Tonbomaguro/蜻蛉鮪): Albacore
Binnaga/鬢長 (also known as Binchoumaguro/鬢長鮪 and Tonbomaguro/蜻蛉鮪): Albacore
Biwa masu (Amenouo)/ 琵琶鱒（岩魚, 鯇、天之魚）: Biwa trout, Biwa salmon (fresh water), char
Bora/鯔: mullet
Bouzu Konnnyaku/坊主蒟蒻 (also called Chikodai/チコ鯛 or Chidai/血鯛, although misleading): Chunky fathead, cubiceps squmixeps
Budai/ブ鯛: white-spotted parrotfish, Japanese parrotfish
Buri/鰤: yellowtail
Chidai/血鯛: Crimson sea-bream,Porgy
Chouzame/蝶鮫、鱘: sturgeon
Dojyou/鰌：loach
Ebisudai/恵比寿鯛: Deepwater squirrelfish, Ebisu perch, Giant squirrelfish
Ebodai (also called Ibodai)/えぼ鯛（疣鯛）: Japanese butterfish, Melon seed, Wart Perch　
Fuedai/笛鯛: star snapper
Fugu/鰒、河豚: Globefish
Fuka/鱶: shark
Funa/鮒: crucian carp (fresh water)
Ginzake/銀鮭: coho salmon, silver salmon
Gomasaba/胡麻鯖: blue mackerel
Goten anago/御殿穴子: a cheap variety of Anago/穴子: conger eel, arisoma meeki (Jordan and Snyder)
Hagatsuo/歯鰹: striped bonito
Hakkaku (also called Tokubire)/八角（トクビレ）: a variety of poacher, Podothecus sachi
Hamadai/浜鯛 (also called Onaga/尾長): flame snapper, longtailed red snapper, Onaga
Hamafuefukidai/浜笛吹鯛: a cheap variety of snapper, lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskal)
Hamo/鱧: pike eel
Hata/羽太: grouper, the expensive variety
Hata hata/鰰: a sandfish
Haze/蝦虎魚、鯊: goby
Hedai/平鯛: goldlined seabream-tarwhine-stumpnose
Higetara/髭鱈: snubnose brotula
Himedai/姫鯛: Crimson snapper,Sea-perch,Snapper
Hirame/平目、鮃、比目魚: sole, flatfish
Hiramasa/平政: yellowtail amberjack
Hirasaba/平鯖: chub mackerel, Pacific mackerel, blue mackerel
Hirasoudagatsuo/平宗田鰹: auxis, variety of bonito, bullet tuna
Hirasuzuki/平鱸: a variety of sea blackbass
Hokke/𩸽: Okhotsk atka mackerel, Arabesque greenling
Honkamasu/本梭魚、本梭子魚、本魳 (also called Akakamasu/赤梭魚、赤梭子魚、赤魳): red barracuda, sphyraena pinguis Gunther
Honmaguro/本鮪 (also called Kuromaguro/黒鮪): bluefin tuna
Hoshigarei/星鰈: “Star Turbot”,verasper variegatus (Temmink and Schlegel)
Houbou/方々: red gurnard, red robin
Ibodai (also called Ebodai)/ 疣鯛（えぼ鯛）: Japanese butterfish, Melon seed, Wart Perch　
Ikanago/玉筋魚: Japanese sand lance
Indomaguro印度鮪 (also known as Minamimaguro/南鮪): Southern Bluefin tuna
Irako anago/伊良子穴子: a cheap variety of Anago/穴子: conger eel, synaphobranchus kaupii Johnson
Isaki/伊佐木、伊佐幾、鶏魚: chicken grunt
Ishidai/石鯛: striped beakfish, barred knifejaw
Ishigaki-Ishigakidai/石垣-石垣鯛: spotted knifejaw
Ishigarei/石喰霊: stone flounder
Ishimochi/石持: silver croaker, white croaker, silver jewfish
Iso kasago/磯笠子、磯瘡魚: a variety of rockfish
Iwana/岩魚、嘉魚、鮇: char, charr
Kaiwari/貝割: whitefin trevally
Kajikimaguro/梶木鮪・旗魚鮪 (also known as Makajiki/真梶木・真旗魚): spearfish (blue) marlin
Kagokakidai/駕籠担鯛: Stripey, Microcanthus strigatus (Cuvier)
Kamasu/魳、梭魚、梭子魚: barracuda
Kanpachi/間八、環八: greater amberjack, Japanese amberjack
Karasugarei/烏鰈: Greenland halibut, Mock halibut, Bastard halibut, Black halibut, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Walbaum)
Karei/鰈: righteye flounder
Kasago/笠子、瘡魚: False kelpfish, Marbled rockfish
Kasugo/春子鯛: young Madai/真鯛: Japanese seabream
Katsuo/鰹: bonito
Kawahagi/皮剥: filefish, leather jacket
Kibinago/黍女子、黍魚子、吉備女子、吉備奈仔: silver-stripe round herring,
Kibire/黄鰭: yellowback seabream
Kihadamaguro/黄肌鮪 (also known as　Kiwada/キワダ(Tokyo, Wakayama), Gesunaga/ゲスナガ(Shizuoka), Mashipi/マシビ(Osaka, Kochi) and Kinhire/キンヒレ: yellowfin tuna
kijihata/雉羽太(also called Akou/茂魚,石茂魚): redspotted grouper
Kinki/金色魚: Thornhead, Idiot, Sebastolobus macrochir (Gunther)
Kinmedai/金目鯛: splendid alfonsino
Kintokidai/金時鯛: red bigeye
Kisu /鱚、鼠頭魚: sand boarer
Ko Aji/子鯵: very young horse mackerel (also called Mame aji/豆鯵)
Kochi/鯒、牛尾魚: flathead
Kohada (konoshiro)/小肌（鰶・鮗・鯯・鱅）: dotted gizzard shad
Koi/鯉: carp (fresh water)
Konoshiro (kohada)/小肌（鰶・鮗・鯯・鱅）: dotted gizzard shad
Korodai/胡蘆鯛: a cheap variety of snapper, diagramma pictum
Kose/コセ: A variety of Stripped jack, also called Shima aji/縞鯵!
Koshinagamaguro/腰長鮪 (also called Bakemaguro/化け鮪): longtail tuna, longtailed tuna, spot-side tuna (the smallest tuna in Japan)
Koshyo (Koshiodai)/胡椒鯛: crescent sweetlips
Kuchimidai/口美鯛 (also called Menada/目奈陀・目魚): haarder, redlip mullet, Liza haematocheila (Temminck and Schlegel)!
Other names I will have to add to the lexicon!
Kue/九絵、垢穢: longtooth grouper
Kurodai/黒鯛: Japanese black porgy
Kuromaguro/黒鮪(also called Honmaguro/本鮪): bluefin tuna
Kuro Mebaru/黒眼張、黒眼張魚、黒鮴/Black Japanese sea perch
Kuromutsu/黒鱫、黒鯥: Black gnomefish
Kuro shitabirame/黒舌平目: Black Sole
Kyuusen/九線・九仙 (also called Bera/ベラ): halichoeres poecilopterus (Temminck and Schlegel) a cheap variety of snapper in Eastern Japan, but an expensive one in Western Japan
Maaji/真鯵: Japanese jack mackerel
Ma anago/真穴子 (also called Maru anago/丸穴子): a cheap variety of Anago/穴子: conger eel, conger myriaster (Brevoort)
Madai/真鯛: Japanese seabream
Madara/真鱈: Pacific cod
Magarei/真鰈: flounder, yellow striped flounder, turbot, halibut
Maiwashi/真鰯: sardine
Makajiki/真梶木・真旗魚 (also known as Kajikimaguro/梶木鮪・旗魚鮪): spear fish (blue) marlin
Makubuu/マクブー (also called Shirokurabera/シロクラベラ): Okinawa Blackspot tuskfish, Choerodon shoenleinii (Valenciennes)
Mame aji/豆鯵: very young horse mackerel (also called Ko Aji/子鯵)
Managatsuo/真魚鰹: butterfish
Mandai/万鯛 (also called Akamanbou/赤万包): Opah,Moonfish
Maruaji/丸鯵: “round horse mackerel”, decpterus akaadsi Abe
Maru anago/丸穴子 (also called Ma anago/真穴子): a cheap variety of Anago/穴子: conger eel, conger myriaster (Brevoort)
Marusoudagatsuo/丸宗田鰹: auxis, variety of bonito, frigate tuna
Masu/鱒: trout
Masunosake/鱒の介: king salmon, chinok salmon
Matoudai/的鯛、馬頭鯛: John dory, St Peter’s fish
Matsukawagarei/松川鰈: An expensive variety of Japanese Karei/鰈: righteye flounder, verasper moseri Jordan and Gilbert
Mebachi/目鉢・眼撥 (also known as Mebachimaguro/目鉢鮪・眼撥鮪or as Bachimaguro/鉢鮪・撥鮪): big-eyed tuna
Mebachimaguro/目鉢鮪・眼撥鮪(also known as Mebachi/目鉢。眼撥or as Bachimaguro/鉢鮪・撥鮪): big-eyed tuna
Mebaru/眼張、眼張魚、鮴: Japanese sea perch, Japanese rock fish
Medai/目鯛: an expensive variety of Japanese snapper, hyperoglyphe japonica
Meichidai/目一鯛: an expensive variety of Japanese snapper, Gymnocranius griseus
Meitagarei/目板鰈: Frog-flounder, Finespotted flounder, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck and Schlegel
Mejina/眼仁奈: largescale blackfish
Mejiro/目白: young Buri/鰤: yellowtail
Mekajiki/眼梶木・眼旗魚: swordfish, broadbill
Menada/目奈陀・目魚 (also called Kuchimidai/口美鯛): haarder, redlip mullet, Liza haematocheila (Temminck and Schlegel)!
Menuke/目抜: a Japanese variety of rock fish/sea perch, “flame fish”, sebastes flammeus (Jordan and Starks)
Minaimaguro/ 南鮪 (also known as Indomaguro印度鮪): Southern Bluefin tuna
Mizukamasu/水魳、水梭魚、水梭子魚: a variety of Japanese barracuda
Mutsu/鱫、鯥: gnomefish
Namazu/鯰: catfish (fresh water)
Nanyoubudai/: blunt headed parrotfish, parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos (Bleeker)
Nishin/鯡・鰊: herring
Nodokuro/喉黒 (also called Akamutsu/赤鱫、赤鯥): Rosy seabass
Noresore/のれそれ: conger eel whiting
Oaka Aji/尾赤鯵:Red tail horse mackerel
Ohyou/大鮃: halibut
Okimebara/沖目張 (also called Usumebaru/薄目張): sebastes Thompson (Jordan and Hubbs): a variety of Japanese sea perch, Japanese rock fish
Okoze/虎魚、鰧: velvet fish
Onaga/尾長(also called Hamadai/浜鯛): flame snapper, longtailed red snapper, Onaga
Onigochi/鬼鯒、鬼牛尾魚/a variety of sand borer
Onikasago/鬼笠子、鬼瘡魚: Devil scorpion fish
Renkodai/連子鯛: Yellowback seabream
Saamon torauto/サーモントラウト: salmon trout
Sagoshi/サゴシ/Another name for Sawara/鰆/Japanese Spanish mackerel
Sake, Shake/鮭: salmon
Samegarei/鮫鰈: roughscale sole, clidoderma asperrimum (Temminck and schlegel)
Satsuki masu/皐月鱒: Red spotted masu trout, Satsukimasu salmon
Sakura masu/桜鱒: seema, cherry salmon, masu salmon
Same/鮫: shark
Sanma/秋刀魚、青串魚: mackerel pike
Sappa/鯥: Japanese shad
Sawara/鰆: Japanese Spanish mackerel
Sayori/細魚、針魚: halfbeak
Sennendai:千年鯛: Emperor red sanpper
Shiira/鱪、鱰: mahi mahi, dolphinfish
Shimaaji/縞鯵・島鯵: striped jack, white trevally
Shimanagatsuo/縞鰹: Striped butter fish (not to be confused with Suma/縞鰹: a variety of bonito found in South Japan/same kanji characters!)
Shinko/シンコ: young Kohada (konoshiro)/小肌（鰶・鮗・鯯・鱅）: dotted gizzard shad
Shirauo/白魚: white bait
Shirasu/白子(Namasirasu/生白子 if raw): sardine whiting
Shirokurabera/シロクラベラ (also called Makubuu/マクブー): Okinawa Blackspot tuskfish, Choerodon shoenleinii (Valenciennes)
Shiro mebaru/白眼張、白眼張魚、白鮴: white Japanese sea perch-rockfish
Shirosaba Fugu/白鯖河豚: a variety of globefish/puffer fish, lagocephalus wheeleri abe, tabeta and kitahama
Shishamo/柳葉魚: Shishamo (meaning willow leaf fish, a kind of Japanese smelt), Spirinchus lanceolatus
Soi or Kurosoi/曽以,　黒曽以: a variety of black rockfish, sebastes schlegeli, 1880
Sujiara/筋𩺊 (also called Aka jinmiidai/赤仁羽鯛): red-spotted rockcod, blue spotted grouper, plectropomus leoparadus(Lacepède,1802)
Suma/縞鰹: a variety of bonito found in South Japan. Not to be confused with Shimanagatsuo/縞鰹(same kanji characters!): striped butter fish
Suzuki/鱸: Japanese seabass, Japanese dace
Tachiuo/太刀魚、魛: scabbard fish, cutlass fish
Tai/鯛: Seabream (in Japan, it means the best variety!), red snapper
Taiseiyoumaguro/大西洋鮪: Atlantic (including Mediterranean) bluefin tuna
Takabe/鰖: Yellowstriped Butterfish
Tara/鱈: cod
Tobiuo/飛魚: flying fish
Tonbomaguro/蜻蛉鮪(also known as Binchoumaguro/鬢長鮪 and Binnaga/鬢長): Albacore

Torafugu/虎河豚・虎鰒: globefish
Tsubodai/つぼ鯛: pentaceros japonicus Doderlein (seabream variety)
Ugui/鯎、石斑魚: a Japanese dace, fresh water minnow
Umazura/馬面 (also called Umazurahagi/馬面剥): black scraper, Filefish, Scraper, a large variety of filefish
Umazurahagi/馬面剥(also called Umazura/馬面): black scraper, Filefish, Scraper, a large variety of filefish
Unagi/鰻: eel (only cooked)
Urumeiwashi/うるめ鰯: round Herring
Usumebaru/薄目張 (also called Okimebara/沖目張): sebastes Thompson (Jordan and Hubbs): a variety of Japanese sea perch, Japanese rock fish
Utsubo/鱓: moray eel
Wakasagi/公魚、鰙、若鷺: pond melt, Japanese melt (fresh water)
Yagara/矢柄: trumpet fish
———————————————–

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fish, Fish Markets, Shizuoka City

Local Shizuoka Fish & Seafood at Parche Fish Market in Shizuoka City: Including Shiira/Mahi Mahi!

July 22, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The recent typhoons and changeable weather of late had allowed me to look at the local fish available at Parche Fish Market inside Shizuoka JR Station but yesterday I finally could have a peek!

Now, what are these big fish?

Less than 6 US $ apiece! Now, this is cheap by Japanese standards!　caught off Atami City!

Shiira/シイラ/Mahi mahi or dorado/dolphinfish!

And what about these big, long silver fish?

At 23 US $, not so cheap, but they are big and super fresh! Caught off Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Tachiuo/太刀魚/Scabbard fish!

So fresh! This is a fish which tends to spoil off quickly!

What are these big flat fish on top?

At more than 3.50 US $ per 100 grams, not cheap!

Ishigarei/石喰霊/Stone flounder!
Top-class flounder in Japan!

The back!

The belly!

Kohada/コハダ/Dotted gizzard shad!
A sushi chef’s favorite!
Unusual in Shizuoka!

Kose/コセ/A variety of Stripped jack!

Takabe/たかべ/Yellowstriped Butterfish from Shimoda harbor!

Oaka Aji/尾赤あじ:Red tail horse mackerel!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fish, Fish Markets, Shizuoka City

Local Shizuoka Fish & Seafood at Parche Fish Market in Shizuoka City: Sushi Chef’s Heaven!

July 9, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Once again due to work I hadn’t ad much time to check what local fish and seafood were available at the Parche Market inside Shizuoka JR Station! Withe the coming typhoon I had doubts, but I discovered quite a few fish at very (comparatively) prices and I’m sure the fish will disappeared as I write about it, and I know some chefs are going to make some big margins!