【Reading】めのじ

【English Name】Menoji (Sushi Counter Code for Five)

Menoji is one of the regional names for the largescale blackfish (mejina; scientific name: Girella punctata), a designation that has been used in some areas around the Kanto region.

Mejina is a saltwater fish belonging to the family Girellidae of the order Perciformes. Its body color is a bluish dark blackish-brown, with a somewhat flat, oval body shape. It is widely loved by anglers as a target fish for rock fishing, and is called by different names depending on the region, such as "gure" (mainly in Kansai) and "kuro" (mainly in Kyushu).

As a sushi topping, it is classified as a white-fleshed fish. It is considered delicious in winter when it takes on fat, and its flesh, though delicate, has a moderate umami. When fresh, it can be served as sashimi or nigiri. On the other hand, it also has an aspect of being a fish prone to a rocky-shore odor, and its flavor tends to vary depending on the place of origin and the season. Individuals caught offshore in the cold season have their odor suppressed, and it is not uncommon to see them handled at sushi restaurants.