Kichisen Sabazushi

Kichisen Sabazushi (Mackerel Sushi) 吉泉の鯖寿し Kichisen Sabazushi  吉泉の鯖寿し
Historically, Kyoto — the inland, landlocked capital — wasn’t much of a sushi town, but sabazushi was and is a very important part of the culinary culture. For centuries, Mackerel was harvested in fishing villages on the Sea of Japan coast and carried for several days on the ‘Mackerel Highway’ to Kyoto. The end of…
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Sakurazushi (Salted Sakura Leaf Tai Sushi)

Sakurazushi: Salted Sakura Leaf Tai (Sea Bream) Sushi  鯛桜寿し Sakurazushi: Salted Sakura Leaf Tai (Sea Bream) Sushi  鯛桜寿し
Just when you think that you have tried all the sushi in the world, you discover one in the very ‘un-sushi’ town of Kyoto that takes you aback! Sakurazushi, as made by Kichisen, is tai (sea bream) wrapped in salted sakura leaf. More than sublime!…
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Sea Bream Japanese Feast: Tai Sashimi, Tai Meshi, Tai Nitsuke

Sea Bream Japanese Feast: Tai Sashimi, Tai Meshi, Tai Nitsuke 鯛 Sea Bream Japanese Feast: Tai Sashimi, Tai Meshi,  Tai Nitsuke 鯛
Sea bream, or ‘tai’ in Japanese is one of the best loved fish and an important symbol in Japanese culture. It is in season in the spring and is called the ‘King of Fish’ in Japan. A whole tai is quite expensive and is enough for an entire meal.…
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Yakizakana: Grilled Hon Maguro Tuna Misozuke

Grilled Hon Maguro Tuna Misozuke 本まぐろの味噌漬け Hon Maguro Tuna Misozuke 本まぐろの味噌漬け
Misozuke creates a wonderful taste for grilled fish, chicken and even beef. Sake and mirin is added to miso paste, just like the kind used for soup, and then the fish is marinated for a day or two. I used a cut of tuna ‘throat’ for this.…
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Sake Kasu Zanmai: Grilled Hon Maguro Tuna ‘Throat’ Kasuzuke

Grilled Hon Maguro Nodo ‘Tuna Throat’ Kasuzuke 本まぐろ ‘のど’ 粕漬け
Grilled Hon Maguro Nodo 'Tuna Throat' Kasuzuke 本まぐろ 'のど' 粕漬け
What do you do when grilled ‘kama‘ fish collars no longer do it for you? Try fish throats! Yes, throat! (I had never even heard of this one.) I spotted these beautiful slices of maguro tuna throats in the store the other day and knew I had to…
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