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Simple Aji Fry is a well-liked Japanese homestyle dish of crispy deep-fried horse mackerel. You should buy the fillets already butterflied, then merely bread in panko and fry till golden. Take pleasure in this tasty chew with tangy Worcestershire sauce or your favourite Japanese sauce.
![A plate containing panko-coated, fried horse mackerel fillets and a bed of shredded cabbage salad.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-5823-II.jpg)
Fish dishes equivalent to Miso Salmon, Saba Shioyaki, and Miso Cod frequently seem on Japanese dinner tables at dwelling, and at the moment I’m excited to introduce one other favourite: Aji Fry (あじのフライ), which accurately interprets to fried horse mackerel.
Aji fry won’t be on everybody’s radar, however it’s, the truth is, one in all Japan’s hottest homestyle dishes. When horse mackerel is in season, I like frying up the fish and having fun with the wealthy style. They’re crispy on the surface, and juicy and flaky on the within, making you wish to go for chew after chew! It’s most likely one in all my youngsters’ favourite fish dishes.
![A plate containing panko-coated, fried horse mackerel fillets and a bed of shredded cabbage salad.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-5788-III.jpg)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple to make but so scrumptious!
- A unique twist on getting ready and consuming fish to boost your meals!
- The crunchy outer layer and juicy, tender meat contained in the fish are wonderful.
- Full of protein and nutritional vitamins.
- Might be made in batches and saved for the week or as bento lunch packing containers.
About Aji Fry in Japan
Fried Horse Mackerel, also referred to as aji fry (アジフライ), is panko-breaded horse mackerel that’s historically butterflied and deep-fried till golden brown. It’s the right solution to benefit from the mackerel’s candy meat and general deliciousness.
Horse mackerel might be discovered all year long however is at its peak throughout the summer season. It’s mild and straightforward to eat, with simply the correct amount of fats, making it excellent for sashimi and deep-frying.
![](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-step-by-step-30.jpg)
Aji fry might be discovered anyplace from izakayas to teishoku menus (set meals). It’s additionally a staple in dwelling cooking, making it a simple and scrumptious manner for kids to get pleasure from fish. Leftovers might be packed into bento lunch packing containers. Usually served alongside steamed rice, shredded cabbage, and Worcestershire-based sauce, Aji Fry makes for a scrumptious and nutritious meal!
Do you know the Japanese phrase for horse mackerel, Aji (鯵), additionally means “style” (味)? This fish’s title doubtless derives from the “style” due to its tastiness!
![A plate containing panko-coated, fried horse mackerel fillets and a bed of shredded cabbage salad.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-5815-IV.jpg)
Elements for Fried Horse Mackerel
Most substances to make fried horse mackerel can simply be present in your native grocery store.
- Horse mackerel or Aji (鯵)
- Salt – I exploit kosher salt (right here’s why)
- Flour
- Eggs
- Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- Impartial oil for deep frying
- To serve: Tonkatsu sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or tartar sauce and lemon wedges
I wish to drizzle Worcestershire sauce on my Aji Fry because the tangy sauce cuts the greasiness. You may also use tonkatsu sauce, which has a milder taste. When you can’t discover tonkatsu sauce, then you’ll be able to check out my Selfmade Tonkatsu Sauce recipe!
Find out how to Make the Greatest Aji Fry
Please scroll all the way down to the recipe card for the precise measurements and detailed recipe directions.
- Butterfly the horse mackerel (see the subsequent part under) and season it with salt.
- Coat the fish with flour, egg, then panko.
- Deep fry at 340ºF (170ºC) over medium warmth till golden brown and cooked.
![](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-step-by-step-23.jpg)
Substitution Ideas and Variations
![Frozen Aji Fillet](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Frozen-Aji-Fillet-0740.jpg)
- You should use fillets for those who can’t get your arms on butterflied horse mackerel. Whilst you don’t get the normal form of aji fry, you’ll nonetheless have the ability to get pleasure from its scrumptious style, textures, and all of the vitamins.
- Horse mackerel could also be tough to search out, so search for native mackerel in your space. If unavailable, herring or sardines are appropriate replacements.
- Aji fry additionally pairs properly with Selfmade Tartar Sauce, merely made with eggs, mayonnaise, and different substances!
Find out how to Butterfly Horse Mackerel
![](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-step-by-step-3.jpg)
Butterflying horse mackerel might be difficult in case you are not used to dealing with fish. If doable, attempt to have your horse mackerel butterflied by your native fishmonger as it can prevent quite a lot of stress and work!
- Scrape off all of the scales from the horse mackerel.
- Minimize off the top by diagonal cuts from the pectoral (facet) fin to the pelvic (backside) fin.
- Minimize the stomach open and scrape out the inner organs utilizing the again of your knife.
- Wash the within of the stomach underneath working chilly water.
- From the stomach to the tail, use mild and lengthy slices to chop all the way in which to the spine however not all through. Your knife edge needs to be as near the bones as doable to keep away from chopping any flesh.
- Flip over and repeat.
- Utilizing a pair of scissors, lower off the spine.
- Unfold the mackerel out, utilizing the tip of your knife, and slice off the ribs which can be in opposition to the flesh close to the stomach.
This chopping technique from the stomach facet is named harabiraki (腹開き). There’s additionally a reverse technique, the place you narrow from the dorsal facet, often called sebiraki (背開き).
Sadly, I can’t get the entire horse mackerel in my space to display this course of. When you want the visuals, watch this video tutorial.
![A plate containing panko-coated, fried horse mackerel fillets and a bed of shredded cabbage salad.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-5842-V.jpg)
Recipe Ideas and Methods
- For contemporary horse mackerel, search for clear eyes, brilliant crimson gills, shiny scales, and no scratches on the fins or physique.
- Sprinkle salt on the horse mackerel whereas getting ready all of the substances. Salt helps take away among the fishy odor, extracts moisture, and enhances the fish’s seasoning.
- Maintain it by its tail when breading the fish so your arms don’t get too messy!
- Be sure you press the panko onto the horse mackerel so it covers and sticks to the flesh and pores and skin fully.
- After deep frying, the residual warmth will proceed to prepare dinner, so take away it from the oil barely sooner than you assume to stop overcooking.
Find out how to Retailer
- To Retailer. Refrigerate leftover aji fry in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.
- To Reheat. For the very best outcomes, reheat leftover aji fry at 350°F (180°C) within the oven.
- To Freeze. Freeze the aji fry in a single layer on a baking sheet till strong. Switch to an hermetic container or resealable freezer bag and freeze for as much as 3 months. Reheat immediately from frozen.
What to Serve with Aji Fry
![Perfectly cooked Japanese short-grain rice being served in the Japanese rice bowl.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Cook-Japanese-Rice-on-the-Stove-6395-V-800x1200.jpg)
![A white ceramic bowl containing Miso Soup with enoki mushrooms, tofu, and Japanese long green onion, topped with ground sesame seeds.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Miso-Soup-with-Enoki-Mushrooms-and-Ground-Sesame-6829-II-800x1200.jpg)
Put together the next dishes for an entire Japanese teishoku meal!
![A plate containing panko-coated, fried horse mackerel fillets and a bed of shredded cabbage salad.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-5805-I.jpg)
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![A plate containing panko-coated, fried horse mackerel fillets and a bed of shredded cabbage salad.](https://www.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fried-Horse-Mackerel-Aji-Fry-5805-I-500x500.jpg)
Fried Horse Mackerel (Aji Fry)
Simple Aji Fry is a well-liked Japanese homestyle dish of crispy deep-fried horse mackerel. You should buy the fillets already butterflied, then merely bread in panko and fry till golden. Take pleasure in this tasty chew topped with tangy Worcestershire sauce or your favourite Japanese sauce.
Elements
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
Directions
To Deep-Fry
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In the meantime, test that the oil temperature is 350°F (180°C) with an instant-read thermometer. Or, stick a picket chopstick within the oil; you‘ll understand it‘s scorching sufficient for those who see tiny bubbles seem across the tip. You possibly can additionally drop a bit of panko into the oil; if it sinks midway and instantly pops again as much as the floor, then the oil is prepared. To prepare dinner, add two fillets to the oil and fry for two minutes, flipping midway by way of. Tip: Fry in batches and don’t crowd the pot. Your substances ought to take up not more than half of the oil floor space at anybody time. When you add an excessive amount of meals without delay, the oil temperature will drop and the fish will take in an excessive amount of oil. Keep the right oil temperature all through cooking. For extra useful ideas, see my publish Find out how to Deep-Fry Meals.
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After 1 minute, flip the fillets and fry for one more minute or till each side are golden brown. In case your oil will get too scorching, decrease the range’s warmth or/and add the subsequent batch to chill down the oil.
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Take away the fillets from the oil, holding them vertically over the pot for a number of seconds to empty the surplus. Then, switch to a wire rack or tray lined with a paper towel to empty. Proceed to fry the remaining fillets. In between batches, gather the crumbs from the oil with a fine-mesh skimmer. If left, these crumbs will burn and make the oil darker, so ensure to maintain the oil clear all through deep-frying. When able to serve, switch the Aji Fry to particular person plates.
To Retailer
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Retailer the Aji Fry in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days within the fridge. Reheat within the oven at 350ºF (180ºC). To freeze, place the Aji Fry in a single layer on a baking sheet till strong. Switch to an hermetic container or resealable freezer bag and freeze for as much as 3 months. Reheat immediately from frozen.
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