TOTAL TIME : 5 MINS
Surrounded by the sea, Sasebo is rich in seafood. Although it is difficult to clean and cut raw fish, you can get a variety of packaged fresh sashimi at supermarkets. Now flatfish or hirame (ヒラメ）is in season until February, and sea bream or tai (鯛）follows until in April since they store fat during these period in preparation for spawning. Flatfish and sea bream are both expensive in Tokyo, but in Sasebo they are available at low prices! You should definitely try them while you’re living in or visiting.
海に囲まれた佐世保は海の幸が豊富。生の魚をさばくのは難しいですが、スーパーに行くと新鮮なパック入りの刺身が並んでいます。２月まではヒラメが旬、春先の鯛は油が乗っておいしいですよ。ヒラメも鯛もヒラマサも、東京では高級魚！でも佐世保なら安く手に入ります。ぜひ食べてみてくださいね。
Delicious Fish in Sasebo|佐世保のおいしい魚
1. ヒラメ/ひらめ/平目/Hirame/Flatfish
In season: winter (December to February).
Taste: lean, mild and delicate
2. タイ/たい/鯛/Tai/Sea Bream
In season: winter to spring (until April)
Taste: firm-flesh, very mild and rich
3. ヒラス/ひらす/Hirasu/Yellowtail Amberjack
Hirasu is a local name in Kyushu. It’s called Hiramasa (ヒラマサ/ひらまさ）in general.
In season: spring to summer.
Taste: fatty, chewy, creamy and rich
4. ハマチ/はまち/Hamachi/Young Japanese Amberjack
In season: summer to autumn.
Taste: firm yet creamy and mild
5. アジ/あじ/Aji/Horse Mackerel
In season: summer to autumn.
Taste: firm yet creamy and mild
How to Eat |食べ方
【Ingredients】
□ any pre-packaged sashimi (raw fish), sliced
□ 1 tbsp soy sauce per person
＊You can use any soy sauce but there is a special soy sauce for sushi or sashimi (Sashimi Shoyu) which is brewed twice and has richer flavor.
□ preferable amount of wasabi or yuzu kosyo
＊Sometimes a small packet of wasabi is included in the sashimi pack. Or you can buy a tube paste. Yuzu kosyo is a Japanese condiment made from chili peppers and yuzu peels.
(単語）
1. chicken thigh 鶏モモ肉、2. bonito flakes かつお節、 3. 1 bundle of 1束の～、4. dried kelp 干した昆布、5. fish cake かまぼこ
【How to Make|作り方】
１． Keep the sashimi cool in the fridge until just before you eat it. Prepare a small plate per each person.
２．Pour 1 tbsp of soy sauce on each plate.
３．Add preferable amount of wasabi or yuzu kosyo and mix them.
４．Eat sliced sashimi one by one dipping into the sauce. Adjust the amount you dip according to your preference.
For hirame (flatfish), ponzu is also delicious for dipping sauce. ヒラメの場合はポン酢でもおいしいよ。
