【Reading】えちぜんがれい

【English Name】Echizen Flounder

Echizen-garei is a general term for flatfish (karei) landed in the Sea of Japan off Fukui Prefecture (the former Echizen Province), often referring in particular to flathead flounder (akagarei).

The Echizen coast is known as an excellent fishing ground where the warm Tsushima Current and the cold deep waters of the Sea of Japan meet, and in winter, fatty flatfish are caught in abundance. Locally it has long been enjoyed as dried fish or simmered dishes, but with improvements in freshness-management technology, its reputation as sashimi and a sushi topping has been rising.

In sushi, in addition to nigiri with thinly cut flesh, nigiri of the engawa (the muscle along the fin) is favored. The flesh is light yet faintly sweet, while the engawa is characterized by a crunchy texture and rich fat.

Echizen Town in the Reihoku area of Fukui Prefecture and Mikuni Port in Sakai City are known as the main landing sites. It is one of Fukui's representative seafoods as a winter delicacy, ranking alongside Echizen crab.