Tired of eating just the regular dishes you get accustomed to in Japan? Then no worries for Japan is known in several things, and one of them is seafood! The abundance of ocean in every direction has made the country famous in various seafood cuisines that are both creative and healthy.
Healthy Seafood Varieties in Japan
In this article, we will introduce 4 healthy seafood varieties you can try in Japan. You will not only appreciate japanese cuisine because of sushi but also because of these wonderful seafood creations that are unique, tasty and full of health benefits.
1. “Hotate” (Scallops)
Scallops are enjoyed all over the world and in Japan, you can eat raw hotate as sashimi or on sushi. It is rich in iron and magnesium which is good for heart health, relaxes your blood vessels and lowers your blood pressure. Hotate has a sweet, juicy and soft taste and if you don’t prefer it raw, you can also enjoy it as a grilled dish on teppan or table grill restaurants.
2. “Unagi” (Japanese freshwater eel)
Unagi or eel is prepared in several ways and one of the most popular is grilled, sliced and served on top of rice which is known as “unagidon”or rice in a bowl. Another one is on an “unaju”, which is a rice meal with grilled fillet eel on a lacquered box. Unagi is high in Vitamin A and B which helps reduce wrinkles and improves overall health of the skin, helps slow down growth of tumors, eases menstrual pain and more. And if you are worried about its taste, unagi is actually known to taste like chicken.
3. “Uni” (Sea Urchin)
Considered as a delicacy in Japan, uni is the insides or gonads of sea urchin. It is rich in protein, fiber and zinc which helps repair muscle tissues, lowers your cholesterol levels, and burns fat. You can eat uni as a sushi topping or as sashimi and enjoy the creamy, buttery and briny ocean sweet taste. And as a tip, uni tastes best in Hokkaido.
4. “Maguro” (Bluefin Tuna)
Maguro or bluefin tuna is one of the most popular sashimi or sushi toppings in Japan. It is served in various types of dishes and it has a delicious umami taste. It has four different classifications of meat which are, toro (fatty belly), akami (lean tuna loin), o-toro (fatty underside) and chu-toro (fatty side). Maguro is rich in omega-three fatty acids, Potassium and Vitamin A which prevents cancer, improves eye health, lifts the mood and so much more. You must never miss this seafood delicacy for all it’s health goodness.
Conclusion
Japan has several more must-try seafood varieties and also depending on the season, you can try other exciting dishes like the famous fugu or pufferfish which is also high in vitamins and minerals. What is your favorite seafood delicacy in Japan? Share it in the comments below so we can have a taste of it, too.
References:
https://pogogi.com/top-sushi-fish-and-how-they-benefit-your-health
https://livejapan.com/en/in-hokkaido/in-pref-hokkaido/in-sapporo_chitose/article-a0001409/
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-health-benefits-of-eating-sea-urchin-uni