Have you ever heard of “golden horse mackerel”?
Unlike ordinary horse mackerels found in supermarkets, “golden horse mackerels” do not migrate, but stay in coastal and inner bays where food is plentiful.
Recently, fried “golden horse mackerel” has become so popular in various places in Japan’s seaside towns that many people even drive all the way down here on weekends to try it.
I used to be a tonkatsu (pork cutlet) lover myself, but recently I’ve been tempted by the taste of “golden horse mackerel” fries.
In Japan, March 21 is the “fried horse mackerel day,” and the economic effect is estimated to be 3 billion yen.
So, in this article, I will explain the origin and appeal of golden horse mackerel fries, as well as recommended restaurants and menus, including my own experience.
I hope this will be a good opportunity for you to become interested in golden horse mackerel fries.
What is the definition of golden jack mackerel?
References:https://maruchiba.jp/gourmet/feature/detail_301.html
The golden horse mackerel is a type of horse mackerel that does not migrate in the open sea, but instead settles on reefs and shallow areas on the ocean floor.
As the name suggests, they are characterized by the beautiful golden color of their bodies.
This golden color is a protective color and is said to be the result of adaptation to the environment of sunlight in shallow waters.
Unlike the commonly distributed black horse mackerel, the golden horse mackerel stays in areas where food is abundant and repeatedly “eats and sleeps,” resulting in a large, thick body and ample fat reserves.
They are round and tall, and when eaten, they are characterized by their low odor and strong flavor and sweetness.
Why has fried golden horse mackerel become popular in recent years?
The reason behind the recent popularity of fried golden horse mackerel is its overwhelmingly delicious taste.
Compared to regular horse mackerel, golden horse mackerel is a larger fish, and when fried, the outside is crispy and the inside is flaky.
The attractive point is that the inside is not overcooked and the flesh is not dry, which is unthinkable with ordinary fried horse mackerels.
In addition, it became nationally known after being featured in TV programs such as “Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai (The World Matsuko Does Not Know)” broadcast in May 2022.
Sasuke Shokudo” in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, and other restaurants serving golden horse mackerel from the Boso Peninsula became popular among tourists, leading to a reevaluation of this rare and highly valued ingredient as Japan’s soul food.
Why is March 21 “Fried horse mackerel day”?
The reason why March 21 was established as “Fried horse mackerel day” comes from a play on words.
The Chinese character for horse mackerel is “aji,” which is “魚へんに参” (魚へに参).
Since “san” stands for “three,” the month of March was chosen, and furthermore, the 21st was chosen because of the word “fu(2)rai(1).
This anniversary was established by Kakunoya Foods Corporation, headquartered in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, and was recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2022.
The purpose of establishing the day is “to let more people enjoy the taste of fried horse mackerel” and “to raise awareness of the protection of marine resources.
The number of restaurants specializing in fried horse mackerel continues to increase, helping to make it a widely recognized part of Japan’s food culture.
I see. I didn’t know that the kanji for “aji” (horse mackerel) is 3, 2, and 1, which is the Japanese way of counting.
Three Attractions of Japanese Golden Horse Mackerel
I have summarized some of the attractions of local yakisoba that I find.
Special texture and taste
Fried golden horse mackerel has a special taste and texture that sets it apart from ordinary fried horse mackerel.
Rooted golden horse mackerels are larger than ordinary horse mackerels, with thicker flesh and excellent fat content.
It has a distinctive texture when fried, with a crispy breading on the outside while the inside is plump and juicy.
It has little of the odor usually associated with bluefish, but rather has a strong flavor and sweetness, making it a dish that even those who do not like fish can enjoy.
Especially during the peak of its season from early summer to fall, its fatty taste is at its peak, and the rich flavor of the fat melting in your mouth is an unforgettable sensation once you have tasted it.
Comparison of different cooking methods
In recent years, “comparison horse mackerel fry” has been attracting attention as an innovative way to eat golden horse mackerel at specialty restaurants.
The same golden horse mackerel has a completely different appearance and texture between “golden horse mackerel fries” deep-fried at high temperature and “platinum horse mackerel fries” deep-fried at low temperature for a longer time.
The former turns out golden brown while the latter turns out a beautiful white.
Due to the difference in breading and oil temperature, this luxurious dish offers different tastes of the same fish.
In Chiba Prefecture, fried golden horse mackerel can be tasted at various restaurants, each of which has its own unique cooking method, and by comparing them you can discover the depth of golden horse mackerel.
The period from early summer to autumn is considered to be the best season, when the fish is particularly fatty and tasty.
High scarcity value
Genuine golden horse mackerel is a rare and highly valued ingredient that is rarely found in the general market.
This is because golden horse mackerels live in special shallow water terrain and are difficult to catch in batches with nets, so they must be caught one by one.
According to local fishermen, golden horse mackerels are mainly rooted in shallow areas and grow by feeding on the nutrients that accumulate there.
While regular horse mackerel from Futtsu costs about 1,500 yen per kilogram, golden horse mackerel can fetch more than 2,000 yen per kilogram.
It is a high-end product that is also landed in other areas such as Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Its large size is considered ideal for filleted sushi, and it is enjoyed in a variety of ways, including fatty sashimi, salted and grilled, and fried.
It is said that once you have tasted real golden horse mackerel, you will never go back to ordinary horse mackerel.
I didn’t know that the appearance and texture of fried horse mackerels can be quite different depending on the way they are fried.
Three famous Japanese golden horse mackerel fry restaurants
In this article, we will introduce our favorite Japanese golden horse mackerel fry restaurants.
My 3 recommendations for the best Japanese golden fried horse mackerel restaurants
My 3 recommendations for the best Japanese golden fried horse mackerel restaurants
Sasuke Shokudo” in Chiba Prefecture
✅ Recommended Points
- Sasuke Shokudo is located in Kanaya, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, and is famous for its fried golden horse mackerel.
- Although it is a small diner facing Tokyo Bay, it has been frequently introduced on TV and in magazines, and is a popular restaurant with a long line of customers waiting in line even before it opens.
- The golden horse mackerel fries here are special, being 1.5 to 2 times larger than regular horse mackerels and characterized by a crispy outside and juicy inside.
- There is no fishy smell at all, and you can enjoy the sweet flavor of the fish.
- The signature “Sasuke Set Meal” is a luxurious dish that allows you to enjoy fried golden horse mackerel and sashimi at the same time.
- Sashimi is not only horse mackerel, but also seasonal fish such as kampachi and sea bream are served.
- Using fresh seafood directly shipped from local fishing ports, the restaurant is favored by a wide range of fans, from locals to tourists.
Fish Market Nishiyo” in Shizuoka Prefecture
✅ Recommended Points
- Located in the restaurant district of Numazu Port, “Fish Market Nishiyo” is a well-known restaurant loved by local fish market workers.
- Its signature dish is “fried horse mackerel,” made from fresh horse mackerel and deep-fried with breadcrumbs specially ordered by a local bakery.
- The aroma of fried horse mackerels spreads throughout the restaurant, and the harmony of the crispy batter and fluffy meat is well known for its exquisiteness.
- The large fried horse mackerels are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, bringing out the best flavor of the horse mackerel.
- Numazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture is known for its “famous live horse mackerels,” and the thick and juicy fried horse mackerels have recently become a booming delicacy.
- Many tourists visit the restaurant as recommended by locals, and many people come to Numazu for the authentic Numazu horse mackerel fries.
Shokudo Inoue” in Kanagawa Prefecture
✅ Recommended Points
- Shokudo Inoue is located in Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Katase Enoshima and Katase Fishing Port, and has a charming old-fashioned appearance.
- The fried horse mackerel here is a thick, meaty dish covered with a fine breading, and the batter is thick but crispy.
- The meat is rather firm and satisfying, and it is a gem that shows the careful work that has gone into it.
- The fresh seafood caught locally is used, and as the restaurant’s atmosphere is described as “relaxing,” you can feel the simple yet reliable skill of the chef.
- Not only fried horse mackerel, but also kaisen chirashi (chirashi with fresh seafood) and nama shirasu (fresh shirasu) are popular items on the menu, and the restaurant is favored by both locals and tourists as a perfect place to stop by during sightseeing in Enoshima.
Sasuke Shokudo in Chiba Prefecture is famous and I would love to visit it if I have a chance to drive nearby…even though I don’t have a car.
Column: Is it true that horse mackerel originated from “good taste”?
There are multiple theories on the origin of the name “horse mackerel.
The most widely known theory is that the name “aji” was derived from “tasty fish,” which was proposed by Arai Shiraishi, a scholar of the Edo period.
This theory is simple but persuasive, and in fact, in some parts of Japan, delicious fish in general is sometimes called “aji” in dialect.
On the other hand, there are various theories about the Chinese character “aji” (魚へんに参), including the theory that “san” was used because it is in season in March of the lunar calendar (around May today), that it is derived from the habit of “gathering” in groups, and that the character “魚へんに喿” was originally written “魚へんに喿”, which was misspelled in Japan. There are several theories.
The horse mackerel has been a familiar fish to the Japanese since the Jomon period, and continues to be loved by many people today for its taste and friendliness.
Wow. There are so many theories about it. It is easy to understand that horse mackerels are called “horse mackerels” because of their good taste.
How to enjoy golden horse mackerel fries for foreigners visiting Japan
To enjoy Japanese golden horse mackerel fries to its fullest, try these tips:
✅ Enjoy golden aji fries with various flavor variations
The secret to enjoying golden horse mackerel fries to the fullest is to enjoy changing the flavor with various seasonings.
In Japan, preferences vary by region, with an interesting result from a national survey showing that while the overwhelming majority of respondents are “sauce people,” there are many “soy sauce people” in the Tohoku and Kyushu regions.
The standard seasonings include Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tartar sauce, lemon, and mustard, each of which brings out different tastes.
Recently, a survey using a taste sensor AI developed by Keio University surprisingly found the best compatibility with “Ajipon.
What we recommend to foreign visitors to Japan is to taste each slice with different seasonings.
Combined with the meaty and juicy texture of the golden horse mackerel fries, you can enjoy an amazing variety of flavors.
✅ Enjoy the special local brand “golden horse mackerel
We want visitors to Japan to learn about the “golden horse mackerel” brand fish, which is more than just fried horse mackerel.
Unlike regular horse mackerels, golden horse mackerels caught in Futtsu City and the Kanaya area of Chiba Prefecture do not migrate, but instead settle around reefs on the ocean floor, where they grow large, thick, and full of fat.
Golden jacks, so named because of the golden color of their bodies, are in season from early summer to fall, and are especially tasty during this time of year.
Moreover, golden horse mackerels are caught using a method that involves carefully catching them one by one, making them rare and special fish that are rarely found on the market.
The sweetness of the flesh and the richness of the flavor are incomparable to those of ordinary fried horse mackerels, and the difference is obvious when compared.
✅ Combination with the ultimate tartar sauce
The most indispensable ingredient to make fried horse mackerel even more delicious is homemade tartar sauce.
In Japan, not only the common tartar sauce but also original tartar sauces with various arrangements are popular.
The basic tartar sauce is a simple mixture of boiled egg, chopped onion, and mayonnaise, to which lemon juice and vinegar are added to enhance the compatibility with the fried horse mackerel fat.
Particularly unique Japanese arrangements include “Japanese Tartar Sauce” with plenty of aojiso and myoga added, and “Gochu Tartar Sauce” with gochujang added for a tangy, spicy flavor.
Visitors to Japan are encouraged to try the freshly fried golden horse mackerel fries along with these original sauces, which can only be enjoyed in Japan.
It is no exaggeration to say that going all the way to an area just to eat fried horse mackerel is, in a sense, a luxurious adult pleasure, isn’t it?
You can easily taste Japanese golden fried horse mackerel at home!
It is difficult to cook fried horse mackerel at home, but if you use the latest and most convenient cooking utensils, it can be done more smoothly than you think.
It may be difficult on weekdays, but on holidays when you have time, it is a luxurious and enjoyable way to cook what you want to eat.
In this article, I will introduce some of the cooking appliances I recommend that can be purchased on Amazon.
I hope you will find them useful in making your own favorite fried horse mackerels.
If you are interested, check out the following products on Amazon!
