AKAMUTSU – Black throat
“Benihitomi” is a brand name of akamutsu, a fish caught in the oceans of the Tsushima and Iki Island area by the “Jigokunawa” fishing method. “Benihitomi” is called the “King of Akamutsu”.
対馬、壱岐の地獄縄という漁法でとれたアカムツを紅瞳と呼びます。最高の鮮度と脂ののりが特徴でアカムツの王様ともいわれます。
本格的な秋になり、戻り鰹が美味しい季節になりました。この時期の鰹はエサをたっぷりと食べ、しっかりと脂がのった「トロ鰹」です。初鰹のさっぱりとした味わい、戻り鰹のこってりとした濃厚な味わい、 その季節ごとの味覚と情緒をご堪能ください。
ANAGO – Conger eel
This fish is one of the basic sushi ingredenses for the authentic Japanese sushi restaurant. Recently, imports from other countries have been increasing, but conger eel from Japan is still the finest quality for sushi.
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。
INA-SABA – Mackerel (Wild)
Ina-Saba is a brand of Japanese mackerel that is caught in the rich sea of the Tsushima area. Only selected pieces are picked for Ina-Saba brand, according to the following strict standards:
1) Caught by pole-and-line 2) No scratches on the body 3) More than 6 hours cooling time immediately after harvest 4) Size
伊奈漁港に上がったサバの中から、厳格な基準を満たしたもののみが伊奈サバとして出荷されます。一本釣り、魚体に傷が無い、水揚げした直後水氷で6時間以上冷やし込みされたもの、5キロ前後でひと箱になるようにサイズ選別された物といった点が基準になります。
YAZU/INADA – Young Yellowtail
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 a 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。
KANPACHI – Amberjack
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、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。
HIRAMASA/HIRASU – Yellowtail amberjack
The shape of this fish is like Buri-Yellowtail but the grading of the taste in the Japan seafood market is higher than Buri. The taste of wild caught Hiramasa is one level higher.
ブリを細身にした姿形で、良く間違われます。全国的にみると、獲れる数が圧倒的にブリより少ないため、高級魚として知られていますが、暖かい海を回遊する性質から福岡では良いものが沢山あがります。
SAWARA – Spanish mackerel
Although known as a mainstay Spring fish, ‘cold’ Japanese Spanish Mackerel caught in the fall and winter are delicious due to their marbling.Very delicious as sashimi and absolutely exquisite when grilled. Vast styles of preparations such as Yuan Yaki with the hint of pumelo flavoring, Saikyo Zuke using sweet Kyoto miso, meuniere, and frying are popular, although of course, especially fresh catches can be enjoyed as sushi or sashimi.
代表的な春の魚の一つであるサワラですが、春だけではなく秋から冬の脂がのった寒サワラも極上の美味しさです。 刺身も抜群に美味しい魚ですが、焼き物としても極上の一品です。新鮮なものはお寿司やお刺身はもちろんの事、幽庵焼きや西京漬け、ムニエル、フライなど、幅広い料理方にお使いいただけます。
KOHADA – Gizzard shad
The best season for kohada in Fukuoka is fall to winter. Kohada is a very important ingredient in Edomae style sushi. It’s not too much to say that a sushi chef’s skill can be measured by the taste of his kohada nigiri sushi.
福岡では晩秋から冬が旬といわれます。江戸前鮨では「鮨は小鰭（コハダ）に止めをさす」と言われコハダの塩加減、酢締めの加減は鮨職人の腕の見せ所で、その鮨屋の看板にかかわるとされるほど重要な寿司ネタです。
IWASHI – Japanese Sardine
Iwashi is known as a perishable fish, but we’ll send carefully picked, best quality fresh fish. Before breeding season, fall to winter, is the best season for enjoying delicious iwashi.
ご存知の通り足の速い魚であるため鮮度が第一ですが、質にこだわって買い付けた鮮度の良い物を送るようにします。旬である産卵前の秋から冬、この最も美味しい時期のイワシをお楽しみください。
SAYORI – Halfbeak
Sayori season is recognized as winter to spring but the autumn taste is good, too. It is amazing for both hosozukuri and itozukuri. Of course, it is essential as sushi for hikarimono.
「春を告げる美しい魚」といわれ、秋冬から春にかけて旬になる白身の高級魚ですが、この時期秋にも美味しく召し上がれます。細造りや糸造りが美しい半透明の身に似合います。もちろんひかりものの寿司種としもお使いください。
KBINAGO – Silver strip round herring
The season for kibinago is considered to be spring to summer because of the large quantity caught during this period. However, for best taste, there are three times in year: 1) February: Tasty fat content for salted grill. 2) May: Served as tempura with its shirako and roe. 3) November and December: Delicious sashimi.
春から初夏に漁獲量が多くなるその時期が旬ともいわれますが、実は食べごろは年3回あると言われます。2月は脂があり塩焼きが美味しい時期、5月は白子や卵がたっぷりの天婦羅がお勧め、そして寒が入った11月と12月は刺身が一番美味くなります。
SUMA – Black skipjack
In western Japan, this fish is served as sashimi, salted grill, simmered and fried fish. Its taste is good year-round but especially delicious from fall to spring.
西日本を中心に、刺身や塩焼き、煮つけ、唐揚げなどにして賞味されています。通年美味しい魚ですが、旬である秋から春はさらに味がよくなります。 お刺身にするとトロッとした微かな酸味と旨味が舌の上に感じられます。
HAGATUO – Striped bonito
Fall is the season for good striped bonito. The fragrance and taste when grilling the skin are rich, and especially delicious when braised. The red meat, comparable to a cross between Japanese Spanish mackerel and bonito without the metallic aftertaste, combined with the umami, provides a flavor unique to itself. The markets of Fukuoka offer fresh shipping to the U.S. by capitalizing on their proximity to the fisheries.
秋はハガツオの美味しい季節。皮目を焼いたときの香りと風味が良く、「たたき」にすると絶品です。カツオとサワラの中間程度の赤身はカツオ特有の鉄臭さが無く、尚且つ旨みもあり極わめて美味です。福岡市場は産地に近い強みを活かして、最高に新鮮な状態でアメリカに直接発送します。
TACHIUO – Beltfish
The spawning season for beltfish is between June and October when the catches are at their peaks. The best time for enjoying them is also said to be during this time. Nevertheless, it is also said that the period when they are growing and storing fat in preparation for winter is also a time when their flavor becomes even more impressive.
タチウオの産卵期は6～10月でその時期が漁獲量の最も多い時期です。旬もその頃と言われますが、実は冬を前に魚体が大きくなり脂がのってくる頃の方が美味しさが一層増す時期とも言われます。
KAMASU – Japanese Barracuda
It is fall, and the season is here when we can find Japanese barracuda that is well-marbled. The season for barracuda is known to be between fall and early winter when the marbling is at its best, as well as around the spring when they prey on food and build their strength in preparation for the spawning season. Barracuda during this season can be best enjoyed as grilled or sashimi. Don’t miss this chance to try them if you haven’t yet.
秋になり脂がのったカマスが入荷してくる時期になりました。カマスの旬は脂がのってくる秋から初冬と、それに加えて活発に捕食して産卵に向けて栄養を蓄える春頃と言われています。この時期のカマスは焼いてもお刺身でも最高の美味しさが味わえます。是非お試しください。
KAMASU – Japanese Barracuda
It is fall, and the season is here when we can find Japanese barracuda that is well-marbled. The season for barracuda is known to be between fall and early winter when the marbling is at its best, as well as around the spring when they prey on food and build their strength in preparation for the spawning season. Barracuda during this season can be best enjoyed as grilled or sashimi. Don’t miss this chance to try them if you haven’t yet.
秋になり脂がのったカマスが入荷してくる時期になりました。カマスの旬は脂がのってくる秋から初冬と、それに加えて活発に捕食して産卵に向けて栄養を蓄える春頃と言われています。この時期のカマスは焼いてもお刺身でも最高の美味しさが味わえます。是非お試しください。
MADAI – Red Seabream
Japanese people simply love this fish. It has a long history of being served on celebration days in Japan. This fish has a tasty fatty part under the skin. “Shimokawa-tsukuri” is the best sashimi style to make use of the tasty fatty parts. Roasting with some skin on also enhances the delicious taste. Recently, farm-raised sea bream has become more popular but wild caught sea bream is still a top-ranking fish in the Japan seafood market.
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。
ISHIGAKIDAI – Rock porgy
Ishigakidai is a year-round fish. However, there are several theories about season for best taste. Many chefs say that the best season for ishigakidai is summer. However, there is the opposite opinion that, if you consider the breeding season in spring to summer, the taste must be best in fall and winter.
通年流通がある魚ですが食べて美味しいといわれる旬の時期には諸説あります。夏が旬という説も多いのですが、春から初夏という産卵期を考慮すると秋冬の方が身に旨みがあるという方もいます。秋から冬にかけてのイシガキダイは小さなものでも脂の乗りが良く、刺身で美味しくいただけます。
ISHIDAI – Striped beakfish
From fall to winter, they have rich fat content. Even though the fish are smaller in size, it is very delicious for sashimi. In the Japan seafood market, this is a standard high-end fish. The firm white meat is a fine quality seafood ingredient. Please enjoy Ishidai as a deluxe seafood dish.
通年流通がある魚ですが食べて秋から冬にかけてのイシダイにはたっぷり脂がのっていて、小さなものでも刺身で美味しく食べられます。
HIRAME – Fluke (Wild)
In the cold winter season of November to February, this fish has a good firm texture and is full of tasty fat. 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.
11月から2月にかけて冬の寒いこの時期は、脂がのりつつも身が引き締まり大変美味しくなる季節です。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。
MAHATA – Grouper
Many types of grouper can be enjoyed in Kyushu. Sevenband grouper (Mahata) is the most recommended for this season. Although it is a fish that is not well-distributed among other markets, it is often found in the markets of Fukuoka. The firm texture of the fish is delectable enjoyed as thin-slices.
色々なハタが穫れる九州ですが、この時期は真ハタがおすすめ。他の市場には殆ど流通しない魚ですが、福岡市場では良く見かけます。歯ごたえのある身はうす造りして絶品。
KUE – Longtooth grouper
As you well know, longtooth grouper is considered in the markets in the Kyushu area to be an extra-high-quality fish due to their flavor and sparse distribution. They have fluffy white meat while their skin is thick and full of collagen. Yet although they are a fatty fish, they are subtler and lighter compared to fatty tuna, and when cooked in nabe soups, the collagen mixes with the stock to produce a delicate flavor.
The translucent white meat has a strong texture that also lends to a pleasant texture when enjoyed as sashimi.
美味しさと流通量の少なさにゆえに九州方面の市場では超高級魚として扱われているお魚。ふっくらした白身を持ち、厚い皮にはコラーゲンが豊富です。脂がのっていますが、マグロの大トロとは異なり上品でさらっとした脂です。鍋にすると皮のコラーゲンがだし汁にとけ込んでとても美味です。透明感のある白身は弾力に富み、刺身でも歯ごたえがしっかりと感じられます。
KAWAHAGI – Filefish
The taste of file fish is good year-round, but especially in Autumn, the best season for this fish. Sashimi with “Kimo-Shoyu” is supremely delicious. “Kimo-Shoyu” is mixed soy sauce with boiled liver of the fish.
年間通して美味しい魚ですが、特に秋から冬には旨味ののった白身に肝の取り合わせが最高の味わいになります。肝をゆでてしょうゆに溶かし込んだ肝醤油を刺身に使うのも絶品です。
AWABI – Abalone
In the Chikuzen-sea, there are three subspecies for Awabi, but the Awabi most harvested out of those three is the Kuro-Awabi. (Saga, Nagasaki and Fukuoka: large size of 300g and up).
アワビの仲間は筑前海に3種類いますが、最も獲れているのはクロアワビです。500g以上の大型は高値で取引されます。佐賀、長崎、福岡 300グラムアップの大型です。
YARI-IKA – Spear squid
Though traditionally squid were only fished during the night, with the advent of the vertical long-line fishing method, they can now be caught during the daytime during seasons other than summer. Try preparing them as sashimi or tempura. In Fukuoka, still-live (ikizukuri) preparations are preferred.
従来イカ釣は夜だけでしたが、今では樽流し（たて延縄）漁法が開発されて、夏以外の時期の昼間でも獲れるようになりました。刺身・てんぷらなどで美味しくお召し上がりください。福岡では活づくりが主流です。
SUMI-IKA – Golden Cuttlefish
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20,000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。