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Sawara (Spanish Mackerel) Sushi

Japanese Spanish Mackerel (Sawara)

White Fish & Salmon

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Order Perciformes, Family Scombridae, Genus Scomberomorus

A large predatory saltwater fish exceeding 1 meter in length. Historically found mainly in southern Japan, it has gradually expanded its habitat and can now be caught as far north as Hokkaido. Its ovaries are used as an ingredient for karasumi (bottarga), and it is valued as food not only in Japan but also in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries.

A large predatory fish with an elongated body, a large mouth, and sharp teeth in its jaws. Adults often exceed 1 meter and feed mainly on horse mackerel, mackerel, and small fish. Although sawara's flesh appears white, leading many to think it is a white-fleshed fish, it is actually classified as red-fleshed based on its composition.

Like buri (yellowtail), sawara is a "promotion fish" whose name changes with its size: up to 50 cm it is called "sagoshi" or "sagochi," from 50 to 60 cm it is called "yanagi," and over 60 cm it is called "sawara." Larger sawara is considered more delicious but also more expensive, so sagoshi is also popular.

The kanji for sawara is written as "鰆" (fish + spring), because it is often seen along the coast in spring when it comes to spawn, earning the meaning "the fish that heralds spring." However, the peak flavor season is not spring but autumn to winter, and winter sawara is called "kan-zawara" (winter sawara), with fat content rivaling that of medium-fatty tuna (chutoro).

Sawara with a white, opaque appearance has more fat than those with a translucent look. Also, sawara's fat is sweet and rich, blending well with vinegared rice, making it an excellent pairing with sushi. Because it spoils quickly, raw sawara sushi is mainly available at restaurants near fishing ports, but vinegar-cured "shime-sawara" is also delicious, and torched sawara sushi with the skin seared is highly popular as well.

Sawara: Popular in Regional Sushi Too

In Okayama Prefecture, there is a regional dish using sawara called "sawara no kouko-zushi." Kouko refers to takuan (pickled daikon radish), and kouko-zushi is vinegared rice topped with vinegar-cured fish and julienned takuan. It is said to have originated as a way to celebrate abundant catches and pray for fishing safety.

In Kagawa Prefecture, the custom of preparing many sawara dishes and inviting relatives and family during the sawara fishing season in the Seto Inland Sea is called "haru-io" (spring celebratory fish). The main dish served at these gatherings is "oshinuki-zushi," a regional specialty in which vinegared rice is pressed into decorative molds shaped like cherry blossoms, then topped with vinegar-cured sawara, fava beans, rolled egg omelet, and Japanese pepper (sansho).
Sawara sushi glazed with tsume Sawara sushi glazed with tsume

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