Information about Sashimi

Sashimi (Japanese: 刺身) is a Japanese delicacy primarily consisting of very fresh raw seafoods, sliced into thin pieces about 2.5cm (1.0in.) wide by 4.0cm (1.5in.) long by 0.5 cm (0.25in.) thick, but dimensions vary depending on the type of item and chef, and served with only a dipping sauce (soy sauce with wasabi paste and thin-sliced ginger root or ponzu), and a simple garnish such as shiso and shredded daikon radish.

The word sashimi means "pierced body", i.e. "刺身 = sashimi = 刺し = sashi (pierced, sticked) and 身 = mi (body, meat), may derive from the culinary practice of sticking the fish's tail and fin to the slices in identifying the fish being eaten. Another etymologic possibility is that 切り身 = kiri-mi (cut body, meat) connotes cutting someone with a 刀 = katana (backsword), hence the word sashimi is used.

One possibility of the name "pierced body" could come from the traditional method of harvesting. 'Sashimi grade' fish is caught by individual handline, and as soon as the fish is landed, its brain is pierced with a sharp knife, killing it instantly. Because the flesh contains no lactic acid from the fish dying slowly, it will keep fresh on ice for about 10 days without turning white, or otherwise degrading.

The word sashimi has been integrated to the English language and is often used to refer to other uncooked fish preparations besides the traditional Japanese dish subject of this article.

Serving

Sashimi often is the first course in a formal Japanese meal, but also often is the main course, presented with rice and Miso soup in separate bowls. Many Japanese people believe that sashimi, traditionally considered the finest dish in Japanese cuisine, should be eaten before other strong flavours affect the palate. Culinarily, sashimi represents the Japanese cultural appreciation of subtlety. The finer sensation can vary from salmon (not traditionally Japanese) to squid, and everything in between.

The sliced seafood that composes the main ingredient is typically draped over a garnish. The typical garnish is Asian white radish, daikon, shredded into long thin strands, accompanied by one green perilla leaf per slice.

Simple sauces are served with sashimi, such as shoyu soy sauce and wasabi. The Japanese sometimes mix wasabi paste directly into soy sauce as a dipping sauce, which is generally not done when eating sushi, however, purists denounce the practice of mixing wasabi into soy sauce, saying that this dilutes the sharp hot flavour of wasabi. Another more correct way to flavor soy sauce with wasabi is to place the wasabi mound into the soy sauce dish and then pour it in. This allows the wasabi to infuse the soy sauce more subtly. A reputed motivation for serving wasabi with sashimi (and also gari, pickled ginger), besides its flavor, is killing harmful bacteria and parasites that could be present in raw seafood.

Varieties

See also: List of sushi and sashimi ingredients

Some of the most popular main ingredients for sashimi are:

• 鮭 Sake: Salmon
• いか Ika: Squid
• えび Ebi: Cooked Shrimp
• まぐろ Maguro: Tuna
• さば Saba: Mackerel
• たこ Tako: Octopus
• とろ Toro: Fatty Tuna
• はまち Hamachi: Yellowtail
• ふぐ Fugu: Puffer Fish Takifugu

Some sashimi ingredients, such as octopus, are sometimes served cooked given its chewy nature. Most seafood, such as tuna, salmon, and squid, are served raw.

Tataki, (たたき or 叩き, "pounded"), is a type of sashimi. The name comes from the sliced onion placed atop the uncut fish piece and tapped with the side of the cutting blade to transfer the flavor. Also it is quickly and lightly seared outside, leaving it raw inside.

Less common, but not unusual, sashimi ingredients are vegetarian items such as yuba (bean curd skin) and raw red meats, such as beef or horse. In Japan, chicken "sashimi" (slightly braised on the outside) is a delicacy.

Other sashimi-style dishes

Sashimi is similar to sushi, another Japanese food, often featuring raw fish, that is commonly served at the same establishments. Non-Japanese often confuse these two dishes, which are however considered distinct and separate.

Differences between sushi and sashimi include:

• sushi contains additional ingredients beyond fish and garnishes (at a minimum, rice and vinegar)
• sushi often has other featured ingredients instead of raw meat

Another sashimi-like dish is namasu, which consists of, among other ingredients, raw marinated fish, and was originally introduced from ancient China to ancient Japan.

Outside of Japanese cuisine

Raw fish dishes are not unique to the world. English speakers sometimes refer to all such dishes as sashimi.

Some popular dishes include:

• anchovies - Europe, fresh or brine preserved.
• carpaccio - Italian very thin slices, most often made with swordfish and less commonly with tuna or other large fish, usually served with lemon juice (a variant of the more common beef carpaccio)
• ceviche - Peruvian marinated raw fish dish (also very popular in Mexico and other latinamerican countries)
• gravlax - Scandinavian raw spiced salmon
• Saengseon hoe - Korean dish of sliced raw fish, other seafood.
• joulupöytä salmon - Finnish, traditionally served as part of a variety platter at Christmas
• ''kelaguen - The Mariana Islands
• kinilaw/kilawin - Filipino vinegared raw fish
• lox - Europe, salmon fillet that has been cured
• pickled herring - Europe, especially Scandinavia
• poke - Hawaiian raw fish salad
• smoked salmon - Northern Europe (Norway, Ireland and Scotland), a preparation of salmon, typically a fillet that has been cured and then hot or cold smoked
• raw, salted herring - The Netherlands
• tartare - European minced meat or fish dish

Safety notes

As with any raw food, when one eats sashimi one risks foodborne illness caused by bacteria, parasites, and toxins, such as Anisakis simplex (Pseudoterranova decipiens)^[1], and Tetrodotoxin in Fugu fish.

When fish is cultivated under strict guidelines, the risk of parasites is much lower.

Freezing is often practiced to kill parasites. According to European Union regulations^[2], freezing fish at -20°C (-4°F) for 24 hours kills parasites. The FDA recommends freezing at -35°C (-31°F) for 15 hours, or at -20°C (-4°F) for 7 days.^[3]

Canada does not regulate freezing fish, although British Columbia and Alberta voluntarily adhere to guidelines similar to the FDA's. Ontario attempted to legislate freezing as part of raw food handling requirements, though this was soon withdrawn due to protests by the industry that the subtle flavours and texture of raw fish would be destroyed by freezing.^[4] Instead, Ontario has decided to consider regulations on how raw fish must be handled prior to serving.^[5]

Traditionally, fishes that live some or part of their lives in fresh water were considered unsuitable for sashimi due to the possibility of parasites. For example, salmon, an anadromous fish, is not traditionally eaten as sashimi. Today salmon is commonly eaten as sashimi after flash freezing, though the Japanese typically prefer ocean fish that has never been frozen.

See also

• Sushi
• Surimi
• Ikizukuri (live sashimi)
• List of sushi and sashimi ingredients and styles

References

External links

• The alt.food.sushi Usenet group FAQ
• Sushi or Death - Useful information, how to and tutorials about sushi
• SushiDay - Sushi Recipes