Sakura shrimp, a uncommon and delicate seafood, is a real gem of Japan’s Suruga Bay. Identified for its distinctive taste and vibrant pink shade, it performs an vital position in native delicacies and tradition. On this article, we’ll discover every little thing from the fascinating historical past of sakura ebi fishing to the way it’s ready and loved at this time. In case you’re curious to be taught extra about this particular delicacy and why it’s a must-try when visiting Japan, learn on!
What’s Sakura Shrimp?
Sakura shrimp or sakura ebi are small, about 40mm lengthy, however they’re a nutritious and flavorful meals. Fishermen catch these treasured shrimp solely in Suruga Bay, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. They fish for them solely from April to Might and November to December. The shrimp seem clear within the sea, however flip pink when fishermen catch them, therefore the title “sakura shrimp”.
About Sakura Shrimp Fishing
Sakura ebi stay within the deep sea throughout the day at depths of about 300 meters, however rise to round 20 to 60 meters at evening. Making the most of this behavior, fishermen catch them at evening utilizing two boats. As soon as caught within the nets, the shrimp are sucked up with massive hoses and positioned into containers.
When the boats return to port, employees unload the containers filled with sakura ebi and retailer them in fridges till the public sale the following morning. Sakura shrimp arrive at solely two ports in Japan: Yui Port and Oigawa Port.
The place do Sakura shrimp be caught?
Sakura shrimp, often known as the jewel of Suruga Bay, is a uncommon delicacy that’s virtually completely caught in Suruga Bay, Japan. Whereas they may technically be discovered elsewhere, Shizuoka Prefecture is the one place in Japan with a fishing license to catch them. The fishing seasons are from mid-March to early June in spring and from late October to late December in autumn, with no fishing allowed outdoors these durations to guard the shrimp. Though sakura ebi stay in different areas, solely Shizuoka has licenses for fishing them, with simply 60 licensed boats within the Yui, Kambara, and Oigawa areas. One of the best occasions to take pleasure in recent Sakura ebi are throughout their peak seasons, now and in Might.
Sakura Shrimp Origin
Sakura shrimp fishing started in Imajuku, now Yui City, Shizuoka Prefecture, in 1894. Fishermen Mochizuki Heishichi and Watanabe Chubei went out for his or her normal nighttime fishing for horse mackerel however forgot to carry the floating barrels (known as “kanta”) that maintain their nets afloat. With no selection however to fish with out them, their web sank deeper than normal. After they pulled it up, they had been stunned to search out about 150 kg of sakura ebi. This unintended discovery revealed that fishing deeper allowed for a big catch of sakura ebi, resulting in the event of a particular technique to catch them. This method turned sakura ebi fishing right into a thriving business in Suruga Bay, making it a specialty of Shizuoka Prefecture.
Sakura Shrimp Tempura Recipe
Elements of Sakura Shrimp Tempura
| Sakura Shrimp Tempura Elements for two individuals | Measurements |
|---|---|
| Onion | 75g |
| Inexperienced onion | 30g |
| Boiled Sakura shrimp/ebi | 50g |
| Salt | 1.5g |
| Cake flour | 50g |
| Water | 60g |
| Salad oil | 15-30g |
The right way to make Sakura Shrimp Tempura?
STEP
Put together the Elements
Slice the onion thinly and chop the inexperienced onions into small items. Place the chopped onions, inexperienced onions, shrimp, salt, and flour right into a bowl. Then, combine every little thing properly.
STEP
Make the Batter
Steadily add water to the combination, little by little, whereas stirring till the batter is properly mixed. If the batter is simply too thick, add extra water; whether it is too skinny, add extra flour whereas watching the consistency. As soon as blended, divide the batter into 4 equal parts.
STEP
Fry the Kakiage
Pour salad oil right into a frying pan to a depth of about 5 mm. Warmth the oil to a medium temperature (170-180°C). Unfold two parts of the batter evenly into the pan and fry. When the underside aspect turns golden brown, flip it over. Cut back the warmth and proceed frying for about 2 minutes.
You may as well coat the kakiage within the sauce and place it on rice to make a kakiage rice bowl.
Advisable Restaurant
Kurasawaya (くらさわや)
Situated on a hill alongside the previous Tokaido highway, Kurasawaya is a well-known restaurant serving sakura shrimp dishes, with a view of Mt. Fuji and the Izu Peninsula throughout Suruga Bay from the home windows. Many individuals outdoors the prefecture go to this restaurant to take pleasure in sakura shrimp dishes, from uncooked sakura ebi to fried sakura ebi, sakura ebi tempura, and sakura ebi rice. The thinly battered kakiage (fried tempura) has a very crispy texture and is beautiful.
Gohan ya sakura (ごはん屋さくら)
This charming restaurant gives recent sakura shrimp, a delicacy from Yui in Suruga Bay, at cheap costs. The menu is different, with sakura shrimp ready in numerous methods, together with uncooked, boiled, fried as kakiage, and simmered in soy sauce as tsukudani. Along with shrimp, the restaurant serves all kinds of Shizuoka’s seafood, together with tuna from Shimizu.
A specific favourite amongst prospects is the “Sakura Shrimp Set Meal,” which incorporates uncooked and cooked sakura shrimp, kakiage, tsukudani, and a transparent soup with aosa seaweed. The restaurant’s inside is spacious and welcoming, with each desk seating and conventional tatami areas, making a homey environment excellent for informal eating with household and mates.
This institution really captures the essence of Shizuoka’s coastal delicacies, permitting company to completely benefit from the native flavors and seafood bounty of the area. Whether or not you’re an aficionado of sakura shrimp or just need to expertise genuine native delicacies, this restaurant gives a pleasant style of Shizuoka’s seafood delicacies.
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We hope this text has helped you perceive extra about sakura shrimp and its distinctive place in Japanese delicacies. With its delicate taste and deep connection to Suruga Bay, sakura ebi is a must-try dish that captures the essence of native seafood. In case you ever go to Japan, we extremely encourage you to expertise this particular delicacy for your self. It’s a style you received’t need to miss!
You may as well check out different Japanese cuisines just like this dish, we advocate some dish beneath!
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