[fancy_header3]Name[/fancy_header3]
Binomial: Euthynnus affinis
English: Mackerel Tuna
Japanese: Suma-Katsuo
[fancy_header3]Deliciousness[/fancy_header3]
[fancy_header3]Cooking[/fancy_header3]
sashimi, tataki
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It’s got black dots on the belly under the pectoral fin. When you see those dots, whatever you do, DO NOT throw away the fish!
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This is called Mackerel Bonito, or Striped Bonito. Sarda orientalis. It’s got sharp teeth. The flesh is soft and watery, and pale pinkish in color. It’s not considered as delicacy as others but the taste is good. Especially at the end of summer when they start putting on some fats, the taste is just as good as other tunas. But sushi chefs don’t serve it usually because it can’t hold the shape of its own, it’s quick to go bad, and the color does not look like Katsuo. You should cook it to appreciate it.
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[fancy_header3]Remarks[/fancy_header3]
Probably this fish makes me the happiest when catch it. Not only because it’s delicious, but also this fish is migratory and it’s a luck to encounter them unless you are chasing them particularly.
Among all tunas, I think this is the tastiest. Very rich in flavor. Full of essential amino acids and unsaturated fats. Because of that, the fishmeat is really fast to go bad. Lucky to be a fisherman to know exactly how fresh the fish is.
When we cut sashimi out of tuna, we remove the bloody meat which runs alongside of the spine, because it’s too fishy. But you don’t have to do that with this bonito family, even the bloody parts and the guts are tasty. But because it has a distinct flavor, it goes well with garlic, ginger, onions and other rather strong herbs and spices.