Wakasa Obama Marinated Small Sea Bream (Fukui): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Wakasa Obama Kodai Sasazuke is a vinegared small yellowback sea bream caught in the Japan Sea. The fillets are salted and packed in a cask. The skin shines with beautiful pink, and the body is glossed with pale light-brown or clear white. It is a delicacy, of which adequate saltiness and sourness bring out the flavor of yellowback sea bream. The use of salt and vinegar has increased the preservative quality, while the product also maintains the quality quite close to that of raw fish.

Link with the production area

Since the geographical area has thrived in sea bream fishing since the old times. The area was also close to Kyoto, and therefore the production technique to increase the preservative quality was established. The quality of Wakasa Obama Kodai Sasazuke is supported by the skilled professionals as the cleaning process of small yellowback sea bream (slicing the fish into three strips and taking out bones) cannot be substituted by machinery.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s45.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

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These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

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FAQ

This traditional product from Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, is made by filleting small Sea of Japan sea bream, lightly salting them, marinating them in vinegar and packing them in small barrels. The skin shines a beautiful pink, and the firm flesh has a gentle saltiness and tartness. It keeps well yet retains a near-raw flavor.

Wakasa Obama Marinated Small Sea Bream is produced in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture.

Wakasa Obama Marinated Small Sea Bream is shipped all year round.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) and online shops. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Wakasa Obama Marinated Small Sea Bream was registered as a Geographical Indication on November 10, 2017 (Registration No. 45). The registered producer group is The Cooperative of Obama Sasazuke Association.