Japanese Seafood Dishes

Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy consisting of thinly sliced raw fish or shellfish (or even meat) served with soy sauce and other ingredients such as wasabi or ginger paste. Most common ingredients used in the preparation of sashimi are tuna, squid,... READ MORE

Nigiri or nigirizushi is a special kind of hand-pressed sushi where the meat is sliced and pressed on top of sushi rice. It was developed in Tokyo (then called Edo) during the 1800s. Sometimes, nori seaweed is used to wrap the whole concoction and... READ MORE

A delicious combination of tempura and donburi - hence the name tendon - this classic Japanese one-bowl meal consists of battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables laid over freshly steamed rice. The most popular ingredients for tendon include ... READ MORE

These large prawns are typically dipped in egg wash, coated in panko breadcrumbs, then deep-fried. They are one of the most popular yōshoku dishes; western-inspired Japanese meals which originated during the Meiji Restoration bet... READ MORE

The Japanese term himono encompasses various types of dried fish products. It is usually prepared with smaller fish varieties such as mackerel or sardines, which are typically butterflied, cleaned, occasionally marinated, and then sun-dri... READ MORE

One of the most popular fresh seafood one-bowl donburi dishes, kaisendon consists of thinly sliced, assorted raw seafood called sashimi laid over freshly steamed rice. What kind of sashimi will be used in a kaisendon dish is not ... READ MORE

Temaki is a hand-rolled type of sushi characterized by its conical shape. The dish consists of rice, raw fish, and vegetables wrapped in a piece of nori seaweed. Due to the ease of preparation, temaki is most commonly made at home, and is somewhat... READ MORE

The small, round takoyaki are one of the most famous Japanese snacks, made with a simple egg batter that is enriched with diced octopus pieces. These tiny balls get their signature shape from the traditional iron pan in which they are grilled. The... READ MORE

Hitsumabushi is a traditional dish originating from Nagoya. Although it's similar to unadon regarding most of the ingredients, histumabushi consists of sliced grilled eel that's served on top of steamed rice, but it's accompanied by assorted condi... READ MORE

Maguro nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of tuna. Different cuts of tuna are classified as otoro (fatty), chutoro (medium-fatty), and akamiREAD MORE

Sake nigiri sushi is a Japanese type of nigiri sushi, with origins in Norway. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of salmon. The dish has a soft texture and a clean finish that makes it good for sushi newcomers, althou... READ MORE

Ebi nigiri is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with butterflied shrimp. Any large shrimp will do, but kuruma ebi (Penaeus japonica) is said to be the best. The shrimp is skewered, boiled, chi... READ MORE

Unagi nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of freshwater eel that's usually cooked. The dish has a soft texture and a mild flavor. If desired, the eel can be lightly s... READ MORE

Unadon is a Japanese dish consisting of grilled unagi (eel) fillets placed on top of steamed rice. The eel is grilled kabayaki-style, where the fish is split, gutted, butterflied, cut into squares, skewered, then diped in tare sauce befor... READ MORE

This pressed sushi variety consist of a sushi rice base that is topped with marinated mackerel fillet, which is typically covered with a thin, delicate layer of kelp. Unlike other pressed sushi varieties, saba zushi is not made in traditional wood... READ MORE

Japanese deep-fried oysters are a seasonal specialty usually enjoyed during fall and winter when oysters are in season. The dish is commonly prepared in restaurants or at home, and it consists of shucked oysters that are dusted with flour and dipp... READ MORE

One of the favorite Japanese street food varieties is a serving of tender grilled squid known as ikayaki. It can employ different types of squid in varying sizes. Serving styles usually range from chopped squid rings to skewered whole pieces. Squi... READ MORE

A tempura variety known as kakiage is distinguished by the use of flour and water, with the occasional addition of egg yolks, which creates a light coating and yields an incredibly crispy snack. Most commonly, it consists of thinly sliced vegetabl... READ MORE

Otoro nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of fatty cuts of tuna. Different cuts of tuna are classified as otoro (fatty), chutoro (medium-fatty), and... READ MORE

Oshizushi is the name of a unique sushi variety, distinguished by its signature rectangular shape. Also known as pressed or box sushi, it is made with oshibako, a long rectangular wooden appliance which acts as a frame. ... READ MORE

Tekkadon is a simple Japanese dish that consists of steamed, vinegar-flavored rice that is topped with pieces of sashimi-style, raw tuna. The dish is often garnished with strips of nori seaweed and sliced scallions and is usually served with a soy... READ MORE

Ankimo is a refined Japanese dish prepared with monkfish liver which is cleaned and soaked in milk, then rinsed and brined in a marinade infused with sake and mirin. It is traditionally rolled in a cylinder, steamed, then served sliced, accompanie... READ MORE

Ika nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of squid. The dish has a rich flavor and a texture that is firm and slimy, slightly chewy but not rubbery. Traditionally, this... READ MORE

Tenshindon is a simple Japanese dish which combines crab meat omelet and rice. It belongs to the broad category of donburi dishes, which includes many Japanese ingredients and meals that are served over rice. The central part of every ten... READ MORE

Yakizakana is a term denoting all Japanese-style grilled fish dishes, and the fish is always served whole. This simple dish is served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Japan, and the fish can be left as it is, salted, or marinated, usually in soy... READ MORE

Shirasu don is a traditional dish originating from the Kanagawa region. It’s a specialty of Chigasaki, Enoshima Island, and Kamakura. The dish is made with shirasu – baby sardines, sand lances, and herring. The fish are eaten ... READ MORE

Tako nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of octopus. The dish has a mild, slightly sweet and sour flavor and a texture that can be quite chewy. Traditionally, this ty... READ MORE

Chutoro nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of medium-fatty cuts of tuna. Different cuts of tuna are classified as otoro (fatty), chutoro (medium-fa... READ MORE

Hamachi nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of young Japanese amberjack, also known as yellowtail tuna. The dish has a soft texture and flavors that are not as deep a... READ MORE

Buri daikon is a traditional dish consisting of buri (yellowtail fish) and daikon radish. Other ingredients that are typically used in the dish include ginger, water, sake, sugar, and soy sauce. The fish is simmered in water, sugar, soy sauce, and... READ MORE

Nanbanzuke is a Japanese dish consisting of fried fish that is marinated in vinegar and served with vegetables. The fish used for nanbazuke is usually small yellowtail, smelt, blue mackerel, or whiting, while the marinade typically consists of vin... READ MORE

Tai-meshi is a traditional dish consisting of seasoned rice with red sea bream. The fish is scaled, gutted, cleaned, seasoned with salt and sake, then lightly grilled. The stock is made with a combination of kombu kelp, salt, soy sauce, mirin, sak... READ MORE

Also known as tetchiri and prepared hotpot-style, fugu chiri is a Japanese dish that consists of large chunks of fugu - a fish infamous for its poisonous parts, along with vegetables such as cabbage, mushrooms, and leeks. The dish is usua... READ MORE

Hotate nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with fresh raw scallops. The dish has a soft texture and mild flavors, making it a great intermediate-level sushi. Traditionally, this ... READ MORE

Akami nigiri is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of akami (red meat) tuna. There are also otoro (fatty tuna) nigiri sushi and chutoro (medium-fatty tuna) nigiri sushi varieties, a... READ MORE

Black miso cod is a Japanese fish delicacy that is made by marinating black cod (sablefish) fillets in a miso-based mixture for several days before cooking them until their exterior becomes crispy. The marinade typically consists of a combination ... READ MORE

Anago nigiri is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of saltwater eel (anago). Anago is always cooked and the fat breaks down during the process. As a result, the meat develops a very... READ MORE

Buri nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of Japanese amberjack, also known as yellowtail tuna. The dish has a soft texture and flavors that are not as deep as salmon ... READ MORE

Narezushi is believed to be the earliest form of sushi that appeared in Japan. With a first written mention dating back to the 10th century Japan, it is thought that this combination of fish pickled with rice and salt appeared much earlier as a wa... READ MORE

Iwashi nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of sardines. The dish has a very fishy flavor and a texture that can be somewhat tough. The aromas are pungent, even when t... READ MORE

Asari no sakemushi is a traditional and seasonal Japanese dish that's usually prepared in springtime. This simple dish is made with a combination of clams, sake, and green onions (aonegi). The clams are first placed into saltwater for a w... READ MORE

Kohada nigiri is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of kohada or gizzard shad, a silver-skinned fish that's inexpensive and mostly used for sushi. The fish is typically salted and m... READ MORE