Chiba Prefecture is rich in seafood and is blessed with such abundant marine resources that it regularly competes for first or second place in Japan’s spiny-lobster catch.
Accordingly, souvenir shops offer a wide variety of processed seafood products. The drawback is that many require refrigeration, so you have to think carefully about when to buy them during your trip.
While searching for something that could be kept at room temperature and enjoyed as a snack with drinks, I spotted a quietly displayed product tucked away in an inconspicuous corner.
Smoked shishamo?! It was the first time I had seen such a thing at Kamagaya Fusa no Eki, so it went straight into my shopping basket.
Kamagaya Fusa no Eki is an excellent place to shop for souvenirs, and I would like to report on it separately.
Our “Recommended Chiba Souvenirs Roundup” is also useful when looking for related products.
Smoked Shishamo (Yamasu)
The package is printed with a photo of smoked shishamo and immediately gives the impression of a snack made to accompany drinks.
It looks like something you might find at a railway kiosk, although smoked shishamo itself is certainly not a product you see every day.
A 38-gram pack cost 324 yen. The best-before date is printed on the back, and it was roughly three months from the date of purchase.
The package contained four whole shishamo.
What Did the Smoked Shishamo Taste Like?
Each fish is quite a substantial size.
The moment you put one in your mouth, a wonderful smoky aroma emerges. Just as the package promises, it really is delicious all the way down to the bones.
In fact, the bones may be the best part. Bite down firmly and an amazing rush of concentrated shishamo flavor spreads through your mouth.
There is a sweetness reminiscent of fish simmered in sweet soy sauce, but it is not overly sweet, so the flavor never becomes tiring. It also lacks the distinctive bitterness or fishy smell that shishamo sometimes has, making it remarkably easy to eat.
The shishamo roe is properly present too. Smoking removes just the right amount of moisture, concentrating the savory flavor while making the tiny eggs feel even more pleasantly poppy.
This preparation truly brings out everything good about shishamo.
The roe was packed all the way into the tail. 🙂 I normally leave the tail behind, but this time it was so tasty that I ate the entire fish.
From head to tail, every part was full of flavor. If I find this again, I will definitely buy more. It works with alcohol, as an everyday snack, or as something savory to serve with tea. 🙂
This is an excellent product.
Thank you for the treat!
Smoked Shishamo Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Smoked Shishamo |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | Yamasu |
| Address | 7-16-2 Kokubunjidai Chuo, Ichihara, Chiba |
| Expiration Date | About 3 months from purchase |
| Place of Purchase | Kamagaya Fusa no Eki |
| Price | ¥324 |
