What is this dried fish from the Tsujiki market and how do I eat it?

January 6, 2019 11:35 AM

My friend just went to Japan and brought me a gift from the Tsujiki market. I love to cook but I'm not sure what this is so not sure how to research how to use it. Any ideas?

Here's the photo of the fish.

posted by monologish to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

This is what you have (follow the link into Japanese-kitchen.net for more info, and a recipe).
posted by Rash at 11:40 AM on January 6, 2019

Looks like dried anchovies. I'd probably try making dashi/stock from it. Here's a recipe.
posted by noxperpetua at 11:54 AM on January 6, 2019

The label says gomame, specifically (since one article mentions both gomame and niboshi).
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 12:56 PM on January 6, 2019

You can also just eat them out of the bag, like fishy potato chips.

Mix gochujang and mayo, dip and eat.
posted by Literaryhero at 1:18 PM on January 6, 2019 [2 favorites]

Not sure if you can use these glazed ones (probably) but dried anchovy are an important part of twice-cooked japanese pork belly, buta no kakuni. Smells like the end days while cooking but is crazy delicious.
posted by Iteki at 1:19 PM on January 6, 2019

This particular package of gomame (these are juvenile sardines, by the way) are meant to be ready-to-eat as a beer snack (otsumame). You heat them up in a frypan for about 3 minutes, mix with some peanuts, pour a cold beer and enjoy.

This product is not intended for fish stock. However, you could add 4 or 5 to a bowl of miso soup.

We also ate these for New Year's Day food (osechi).
posted by JamesBay at 5:22 PM on January 6, 2019 [5 favorites]

You use them to make tazukuri!!

Candied sardines

Traditionally munched on for New Years.
posted by gomichild at 11:40 PM on January 6, 2019 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I usually see these in osechi ryori (traditional New Years food). I've always just eaten them as-is.
posted by thefoxgod at 1:52 PM on January 7, 2019