【Reading】こしょうだい

【English Name】Sweetlips

The koshodai (painted sweetlips, Plectorhinchus cinctus) is a white-fleshed saltwater fish of the genus Plectorhinchus in the family Haemulidae, a connoisseur's sushi topping. About 60 cm in body length with a laterally compressed oval shape, it is pale grayish-brown with three diagonal dark-brown bands, and the pepper-like spots near the dorsal fin are the origin of its name ("kosho" means pepper). Distributed from the East China Sea to the Red Sea and northern Australia, it is caught with set nets and gill nets. Characterized by refined sweetness, moderate fat, and a firm texture, it suits nigiri, sashimi, and salt-grilling. It has many local names, such as ogondai in Chiba, gishi in Shizuoka, and kaigure in Wakayama and Mie.