May Fukuoka Fish Market Recommendation

MADAI – Sea Bream
Madai - Seabream (wild)

Madai – Seabream (wild)  / Genkai-Nada / Nagasaki

Japanese people simply love this fish. It has a long history of being served on special occasions in Japan. This fish has a delicious fatty part under the skin. “Shimokawa-tsukuri” is the best sashimi style to make use of the tasty fatty parts. Roasting the fat along with the skin is also a recommended method of eating sea bream.

日本人に昔から愛されてきた魚です。お刺身や寿司には皮下の脂の美味しいさを活かすために霜皮造りにしたり、皮目を炙るなどします。最近は養殖物も普及しましたが、天然真鯛の美味しさは別格のようです。

 

 

HIRAME – Wild Fluke

Hirame - Fluke

Hirame – Fluke / Kyushu

In recent years, there is a large amount of farm-raised hirame in the fish market, but wild hirame in this season has an incomparable taste.

近年は養殖物が増えることにより、旬が意識されなくなりましたがこの時期の天然物は身が締まり天然物とは比較にならない美味しさです。

 

 

KISU – Smelt / Whiting

Kisu – Smelt / whiting / Fukuoka

The most delicious season for Kisu is generally said to start in June, but in the Kyushu region, the best season begins in April. Some of the best ways to eat this fish include the “yakishimo” method where you grill the skin with a burner then drop it in ice water, as well as the “konbujime” method where you lightly salt and wrap it in kelp.

産卵のため岸近くに回遊してきたキスを獲るそうごち網・流しさし網漁業が5月に解禁されて、新鮮なキスが店頭にならびます。きれいな砂の海底を好む魚で、綺麗な海が広がる志賀島は良質なキスが良く穫れる漁場となっています。

 

 

KANPACHI – Amberjack
Kampachi - Amberjack

Kampachi – Amberjack / Ooita

The fresh meat of kanpachi has less fat content compared to other yellowtail family fishes (Buri, Hiramasa).
Wild kanpachi has a higher value in the fish market than other yellowtail family fishes because the catch quota of wild kanpachi (amberjack) is smaller than that of wild buri and hiramasa.

ブリ御三家といわれるのはブリ、ヒラマサそしてカンパチ。カンパチはその中で最も脂が少ない分、身が引き締まった品の良い美味しさがあります。
天然ものはブリやヒラマサより漁獲量が少ないということもあり市場では高級魚として扱われます。寿司、刺身その他しゃぶしゃぶや照り焼きにもお使いください。

 

 

INADA/YAZU – Young Yellowtail

Inada (Yazu) – Yellowtail Young  / Saga / Nagassaki / Fukuoka

Yazu is a “Shusseuo” name of young yellowtail in Fukuoka area market. It has less fatty meat compare to Buri. It has elegant sweetness and satisfying texture.

ブリの若魚で、地方によっては違う呼び名になります。脂が乗ったブリに比べるとさっぱりとした爽やかな味わいで、ハリのある食感が特徴です。価格も手頃で刺身・照り焼・から揚げなどが美味です。

 

 

HIRAMASA – Yellowtail Amberjack

Hiramasa – Yellowtail Amberjack  / Tsushima Island

This fish doesn’t have as much fat as Buri, but has more fat and “umami” content compared to kanpachi.

ブリほど脂は多くなく、カンパチよりも脂、旨みが多い魚で、鮮度の良い物は刺身でこりこりした食感を、一日ほど寝かしたものは、まったりとした旨みを味わえます。

 

 

ISAKI – Japanese Grunt fish

Isaki – Japanese grunt fish / Genkai-Nada / Nagasaki

The best season for Isaki comes around early summer, which is when Isaki ride the Tsushima current through the offshore area of Iki Island and arrive at the Chikuzen Sea to lay eggs.
Isaki travel in flocks, and these flocks are often seen in places like artificial reefs. It is a white meat fish with a unique flavor and the perfect amount of fat, which can be enjoyed especially with the large-sized Isakis.

イサキは産卵のため、対馬暖流に乗って壱岐沖を通り、旬を迎える初夏頃に筑前海にやってきます。また、群れをつくる魚で、人工魚礁などには必ずイサキの群れが見られます。身は白身で、特に大型のイサキは、特有の風味と適度な脂の乗り具合でたいへん美味しく、刺身・塩焼・ソテーで賞味します。

 

 

AJI “IZUMI” – Hourse Mackerel

Izumi Aji – Horse mackerel / Izumi, Kumamoto

Nonmigratory-type yellow horse mackerel that grows up in coastal bays and attains a golden color and round form. This fish has moderate fat content and very high quality flesh with a delicious sweetness.

回遊をせずに北薩摩の内海で育った瀬付きの黄アジは丸みを帯びた形となり、色は黄色に光り輝いています。脂のノリと身の締りに絶妙のバランスを持つ肉質はまさに黄金アジの名にふさわしい絶品です。

 

 

MAKOGAREI – Marbled Flounder

Makogarei ‐ Marbled sole / Genkai-nada

In Japan, the best season for flounder is winter, but the best season of Makogarei-Marbled Sole is from spring to the beginning of summer. It’s an all-rounded fish suited for any cooking methods.

カレイといえば冬が旬と言われますが、マコガレイは春から初夏が旬の魚です。
どんな料理にもイケル優等生な魚。味わい深い白身は、絶品です。ぜひご堪能ください。

ANAGO – Sea eel
Anago – Conger eel
Anago – Conger eel / Tsushima Island

Anago that is raised on the western offshore of Tsushima with abundant, high quality food, has a larger body than the common anago with better fat content as well. It really is the golden anago like its name says.

対馬の西沖でとれたアナゴは良質な餌を食べているために大きく育ち、脂が乗っている黄金のあなごです。

ISHIDAI – Rock porgy
Ishidai – Striped bakefish
Ishidai – Striped bakefish / Kyushu

Ishidai is a standard high-end fish in the Japanese seafood market. Its firm white meat is superb, and its flesh right next to the skin is very delicious as well. Please use Ishidai in your luxurious seafood dinners and enjoy!

定番の高級魚です。引き締まった身質は絶品です。また、皮目も抜群に旨い!
高級魚イシダイを使って豪勢な料理をお楽しみください。

KINMEDAI – Alfonsino
KINMEDAI – Alfonsino
KINMEDAI – Alfonsino / Tosashimizu, Kochi

The north-flowing “Kuroshio” ocean current brings a rich ocean harvest to Tosashimizu City in the southeastern part of Kochi, Japan.
Fishermen on small boats catch kinmedai one by one with fly fishing gear. The fish are handled very carefully, and in the evening of the same day they are packed for shipping to cities in the USA.

黒潮によって豊かに育ったキンメを一本づつ毛鉤で釣り上げました。小舟に乗った漁師さんが大切に扱ったキンメを夕競りで買い付け、そのままアメリカに向けて直送します。

TACHIUO – Beltfish
Tachiuo – Beltfish
Tachiuo – Beltfish / Oita / Tsushima / Goto Islands

The breeding season of tachiuo is June to October. In fall to winter, after the breeding season, the fish grows larger and the fatty taste is better.

タチウオの産卵期は6~10月で、食べ頃もその頃といわれます。これからが美味しくなる時期となります。

Grilled Tachiuo

RENKODAI – Yellowback seabream
Kidai / Renkodai – Yellowback sea bream
Kidai / Renkodai – Yellowback sea bream / Genkai-nada

In the Japan fish market, when this fish is compared to Madai (sea-bream), the name value is lower but the taste is just as good. Roasting with some skin left on enhances the delicious taste.

マダイそっくりの美しい姿形をしており、大きさも手頃であることから、マダイのかわりに祝宴などで尾頭つきの塩焼きや煮つけに利用されます。酢締めも美味しく小鯛の笹漬は京都や兵庫の名物料理として知られてます。

SUZUKI – Japanese Sea perch
Suzuki – Japanese Sea Bass
Suzuki – Japanese Sea Bass / Fukuoka

In the Japan fish market, when this fish is compared to Madai (sea-bream), the name value is lower but the taste is just as good. Roasting with some skin left on enhances the delicious taste.

白身魚の代表格です。洗いにして食べられたり、焼き物に良く使われますが、フレンチでも良く使われる素材でもあります。クセのない味わいは、納得の美味しさです。

AORI IKA – Bigfin reef squid
Aori Ika – Bigfin reef squid
Aori Ika – Bigfin reef squid / Kagoshima / Tsushima / Goto Islands

Aoriika is known as the king of squids, and its sashimi is considered to be of the finest quality in the squid family. Its flesh is rich in sweetness and is very soft but also has a good amount of strength in texture. It is a very popular and crucial item used in Edomae style sushi and tempura.

「イカの王様」とも呼ばれ、イカ類の刺身の中では最上のものとされます。肉質は柔らかくも適度な弾力に富みんで極上の甘みがあり、江戸前の寿司や天ぷらの寿司種として欠かすことのできないものです。春から夏の季節に産卵のため沿岸にやってくるところを多く漁獲されます。

YARI-IKA – Sear Squid
Yari Ika – Spear Squid
Yari Ika – Spear Squid / Kyushu

Large quantities of this squid are caught during their breeding season of winter to spring. The best tasting season is also winter to spring.
In Japan, if you like to eat squid, kensaki-ika is good for summer, yari-ika is good for winter, and kiomochi-yari-ika (with eggs inside) is very popular from winter to spring.

繁殖のため接岸してくる冬から春にかけて多く漁獲されます。ヤリイカの旬は冬から春にかけてとなり、「夏のケンサキイカ、冬のヤリイカ」と言われています。
この冬から春に獲れる子持ちのヤリイカが大きく最も人気があります。

KO-IKA – Golden Cuttlefish
Mongo Ika – Cuttlefish
Mongo Ika – Cuttlefish / Genkai-nada / Kita-Satsuma

A type of squid called Ko-Ika, also called “Sumi-Ika” in the Kantō region, is a very popular and crucial seafood used for Edomae-style sushi and tempura. Due to its popularity, the market price of Ko-Ika is very expensive and can cost up to $200/KG in the beginning of its best season. The baby squids, called Shin-Ika, reach their best season and get shipped into the market from around July. Later, Ko-Ika will have its best season from late Autumn to early Spring.

関東ではスミイカの名前で呼ばれ、江戸前の寿司や天ぷらに欠かせない食材です。江戸前の寿司ネタとして人気が高く、寿司屋がこぞって求め、走りの時期にはキロあたり20000円前後にまで上がる高級品です。7月頃からコウイカの子である新イカが出回り、親イカは晩秋から初春にかけて旬を迎えます。
歯ごたえの良さが魅力の新イカに対して、たおやかな歯触りとねっとりとした甘みと旨みが親イカの魅力です。刺身はもちろん、天ぷらにしても非常に美味です。

KURUMA EBI – Japanese tiger shrimp
Kuruma Ebi
Kuruma Ebi

Delivery of farm-raised, wild, frozen, and live prawns of various types are available.

養殖、天然、冷凍、活けもの各種出荷可能です。

SHAKO – Mantis Crab
Shako Mukimi – Mantis shrimp
Shako Mukimi – Mantis shrimp / Kyushu

It is often caught in the sandy grounds of basins such as the Hakata Bay. The shape of its forefoot is like that of a praying mantis, hence the name “mantis shrimp” which is often used abroad.
Female shako with eggs, called Katsubushi, which can be seen during spawning season from spring to summer, are particularly delicious and loved by many. It can be enjoyed as sushi, tempura, or simply boiled.

博多湾などの内湾の砂泥地でよく獲れます。前足の形がカマキリを連想させますので、海外ではカマキリエビの名があります。  産卵期の春~夏にカツブシと呼ばれる卵をもった雌が特に美味で、喜ばれています。寿司だね・てんぷらの他ゆでて食べます。

SAZAE – Turban shell
Sazae – Turbo cornutus
Sazae – Turbo cornutus / Kyushu

It’s one of the most popular sea snails in the Japanese seafood market. The best season for this snail is from spring to summer.
Tsuboyaki (grilled) or sashimi are the best cooking styles for this snail.

春と夏が旬の日本ではメジャーな巻貝です。
独自の磯の香りは懐かしさを覚えるような香りが特徴です。つぼ焼きや刺身でお召しあがり下さい。

UNI – Sea urchin
Uni Sea Urchin Japan
Uni Sea Urchin Japan / Hokkaido

Ezobafun-UNI is a sea urchin harvested in the Hokkaido area and the four northern islands (south Kuril Islands). It has a beautiful orange color with a rich taste. This UNI is rare in the seafood market because of how little can be harvested from the ocean. It is a top-ranked UNI on the market because of its rich sweetness that cannot be compared to any other sea urchins. Some customers question the quality of sea urchins harvested at a location other than Hokkaido. However, the four northern islands is an ideal environment for sea urchins. This is a spot where warm and cold ocean currents meet, producing abundant plankton. There are also high quality sea kelp in this area for sea urchins to feed on. We ship top ranked UNI, mainly harvested around Habomai and Shakotan Islands.

北海道や北方四島捕れるエゾバフンウニはオレンジ色で濃厚な味わい、獲れる量がとても少ない希少な 雲丹です。バフンという名前のイメージとは違い、日本中で獲れる雲丹の中でも、他の追従を許さない濃厚で甘みのある最高級雲丹です。
北海道産でないと品質に不安を感じるお客様もいらっしゃるのですが、北方四島は暖流と寒流が交差することで豊富なプランクトンが発生します。また、棹前昆布などの高品質の昆布が多数生息する最高の雲丹の漁場です。北方四島の中でも根室半島から洋上3.7kmより連なる歯舞諸島と色丹島で獲れる、最高品質の雲丹を中心にお届けします。