Saba Curry by Shida Canning: Chiba’s Distinctive Canned Mackerel Curry

Peanuts and pears are probably the best-known local souvenirs from Chiba Prefecture.

There are countless related products, and almost every souvenir shop in Chiba carries an assortment of peanut and pear items.

Those two specialties may dominate because of the sheer number of products available, but the Saba Curry introduced here is another item that I encounter surprisingly often.

The can itself is small and is rarely displayed in large stacks, yet the number of shops that stock it seems quite impressive.

I had wanted to try Saba Curry for a long time, and I have finally done so, so here is my review. For some reason I had always hesitated to buy it, but eventually persuaded myself that, because it is canned, it could also be useful as emergency food.

I purchased it at Makuhari Service Area (Pasar Makuhari) on the Keiyo Expressway, only a short trip from Tokyo.

Saba Curry (Shida Canning Co., Ltd.)

A 190 g can costs ¥235.

The illustration shows a man who appears to be Indian holding a mackerel.

The bright yellow, exotic-looking can has a striking presence on the shelf.

The best-before date is printed on the lid, and the product keeps for as long as three years after manufacture.

It has an easy-open lid, so no can opener is required. That also makes it suitable for emergency supplies—although, even as I thought about storing it for an emergency, I ate it almost immediately after buying it.

First, transfer the curry to a plate.

Cover it with plastic wrap and heat it in the microwave for one to two minutes.

What did Chiba’s famous Saba Curry taste like?

The large pieces of ingredients look delicious.

Let’s eat!

It is far easier to eat than I imagined.

There is no noticeable fishy smell from the mackerel, perhaps because ginger is included among the ingredients.

Each piece of vegetable is soft and fluffy inside, with a smooth texture.

The fish blends in so naturally that, for a moment, I could hardly tell whether I was eating mackerel or meat.

You can detect the flavor of mackerel in the finish, but it harmonizes with the mellow curry and actually gives the sauce greater depth.

Because it is mackerel, it also works well as something to enjoy with a drink, and it was delicious poured over plain white rice.

I regret waiting so long to try it.

Perhaps I should add canned mackerel to the curry I make at home, although there is a fair chance my experiment might go wrong.

Discovering just how well mackerel and curry work together was a genuine surprise. Thank you for the meal!

We have a complete list of local souvenirs from Chiba Prefecture on the page below. Please take a look.

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Saba Curry Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer