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Aji (Horse Mackerel) Sushi

Horse Mackerel (Aji)

Silver-skinned Fish

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Family Carangidae, Subfamily Caranginae

In Japan, ma-aji (Japanese jack mackerel) is the most commonly known species, but horse mackerel inhabit tropical and temperate waters worldwide with many different species. The flesh is mainly pink, possessing characteristics of both red and white fish, and with good fat content, it is enjoyed as food throughout the world.

While there are over a hundred species of horse mackerel worldwide, aji generally refers to ma-aji (Japanese jack mackerel). Aji (ma-aji) is found along coasts throughout Japan and is fundamentally a migratory fish, though it can be caught both offshore and in bays. Oceanic aji are constantly swimming, resulting in firm flesh with less fat, while aji that have settled in inner bays are called "setsuki-aji" (resident aji) and are known for being especially delicious due to their higher fat content. Famous branded setsuki-aji include Seki-aji from Saganoseki in Oita Prefecture, Gon-aji from the Goto Sea in Nagasaki Prefecture, and Donchicchi-aji from Shimane Prefecture.

Aji is a familiar fish enjoyed throughout Japan, and it is also extremely popular for sport fishing. It is known as a fish that is easy for beginners and families to catch, and since it can be caught from breakwaters and seawalls, even amateurs can reel in fatty setsuki-aji.

The Representative Silver-Skinned Fish of Edomae Sushi

Since aji is abundant in Tokyo Bay, it has long been the first fish that comes to mind when people think of hikari-mono (silver-skinned fish) - a true representative of Edomae sushi. Although it is a type of blue fish, it has relatively little odor or off-putting flavor. When very fresh, it is delicious as raw sashimi and is frequently used as a sushi topping. In the past, it was common to cure aji with vinegar or salt before shaping it into nigiri, but from around the period of rapid economic growth onward, it began to be served raw as well. Some sushi chefs insist on serving it raw during the spring-to-summer peak season and vinegar-cured at other times.

While aji nigiri sushi is the most well-known form, because horse mackerel is caught nationwide, it is also widely used in regional sushi. Oita Prefecture's Saiki City has "aji no maru-zushi," a whole-fish sushi made by removing the innards, curing the aji with salt and vinegar, stuffing it with vinegared rice, and wrapping it with red shiso leaves.
Edomae aji sushi with decorative knife work Edomae aji sushi with decorative knife work

The Delightful Origin of the Name "Aji"

In Japanese, the kanji for aji (horse mackerel) combines the characters for "fish" and "three." Its origin has several theories: one says it's because the fish is so delicious it makes you surrender (mairu); another says the character "three" was used because the most delicious season was the third month of the old calendar; and yet another suggests it was simply a misspelling of a character meaning "fishy-smelling." A fitting set of origin stories for a fish that has been beloved as a tasty, everyday fish since ancient times.

Simple and delicious aji with grated yam over rice

In Japanese, the kanji for aji (horse mackerel) combines the characters for "fish" and "three." Its origin has several theories: one says it's because the fish is so delicious it makes you surrender (mairu); another says the character "three" was used because the most delicious season was the third month of the old calendar; and yet another suggests it was simply a misspelling of a character meaning "fishy-smelling." A fitting set of origin stories for a fish that has been beloved as a tasty, everyday fish since ancient times.

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