Everyone knows fish can swim, and a few overachieving fish can fly. But in Japan, they can dance.
Bonito flakes—the dried, smoked shavings of skipjack tuna—are so light that any amount of steam makes them waver and curl, as if swayed by an ocean current. As a result, the pink flakes move when placed atop hot dishes.
Also known as katsuobushi, each pile of bonito flakes begins with a smoked and dried tuna. Japanese manufacturers coat the tuna in a special type of mold and leave it in the sun to age for several months (or sometimes years). Then they take the dried, hardened fish and start shaving.
Making these fine flakes the traditional way requires a shaving tool known as a katsuobushi plane. So if you’ve got the patience, you can create them from the comfort of your own home. But most people opt for buying bonito flakes prepackaged from grocery stores.
Bonito flakes dance atop a wide array of Japanese dishes, where they enhance the smoky, salty flavor ofumami.Home cooks rely on katsuobushi to makedashi, a staple fish broth. Chefs and street vendors also top off popular dishes likeokonomiyaki(a kind of savory pancake) and takoyaki(octopus-stuffed fried dough balls) with bonito flakes, and add themto the center of onigiri (stuffed rice balls).Cats, on the other hand, enjoy their katsuobushistraight up.
FAQs
Bonito flakes - known as katsuobushi in Japanese - are a strange food upon first sight. They are known to move or dance when used as a topping on foods such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki. It can be an odd sight upon first viewing if moving food makes you squeamish. However, it is nothing to be alarmed about.
What are the fish flakes that move? ›
But in Japan, they can dance. Bonito flakes—the dried, smoked shavings of skipjack tuna—are so light that any amount of steam makes them waver and curl, as if swayed by an ocean current. As a result, the pink flakes move when placed atop hot dishes.
Are bonito flakes alive? ›
Bonito flakes, as the name suggests, are wafer-thin and light. Because of this, when the flakes come into contact with hot food they curl and look as if they're moving. Fear not, the bonito flakes aren't alive!
Why do octopus flakes move? ›
Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food made with octopus as the main filling. The movement of bonito flakes on takoyaki is due to the hot surface of the balls. Bonito flakes are thin shavings of dehydrated fish that rehydrate and move when they come in contact with hot steamy food.
Can humans eat bonito flakes? ›
You can use dried bonito flakes in various Japanese dishes, either as a seasoning or garnish.
Do bonito flakes go off? ›
As long as they're kept cool and dry and sealed in either the resealable bag they came in or some other airtight bag or container, dried bonito flakes will last for six months to a year. Their shelf life may be shorter in humid climates.
What is Japanese fish flakes? ›
Katsuobushi (Japanese: 鰹節) is simmered, smoked and fermented skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis, sometimes referred to as bonito). It is also known as bonito flakes or broadly as okaka (おかか).
What fish does flake come from? ›
Flake is a term used in Australia to indicate the flesh of any of several species of shark, particularly the gummy shark. The term probably arose in the late 1920s when the large-scale commercial shark fishery off the coast of Victoria was established.
Do bonito flakes taste good? ›
Despite their strong aroma, the flavor of bonito flakes is relatively mild, making them versatile and suitable for a wide range of recipes. They are a key ingredient in dashi, a fundamental Japanese soup stock and are also used as a topping for dishes like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).
What does bonito taste like? ›
Bonito have dark meat that is very oily and carries a more fishy flavor compared to other species. These meat qualities make bonito an acquired taste and less favorable as table fare to the general public. On the other hand, die-hard seafood lovers may find bonito to be delicious.
Life history
Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 and have a maximum lifespan of 6 years. Spawning generally occurs from late January until May.
Is bonito flakes healthy? ›
Bonito is rich in protein. If unprocessed, it has a 25% protein content, and if used to make katsuobushi, its protein content increases to 77%. It is also rich in inosinate, an important umami substance; the umami is multiplied many times over when combined with glutamate.
Can dogs eat bonito flakes? ›
These scrumptious flakes are a healthy daily snack. They can be served just as they are or can be sprinkled atop your pet's food. Although bonito has been stereotyped as a food for cats, don't forget that dogs love fish too.
What are Japanese bonito flakes made from? ›
And if you are wondering what are dried bonito flakes, they are just dried, smoked, and fermented fish fillets. Now, you may be asking yourself: What exactly do I do with this ingredient? Katsuobushi is used as a flavorful addition in multiple Japanese dishes, including as a zesty rice topping.
What are takoyaki flakes made of? ›
These are actually bonito flakes (Katsuobushi), dried tuna shavings that are known to “dance” from the hot food and steam because of how thin the flakes are. It's made from fish that is dried, smoked and grated into flakes, becoming a staple ingredient in many Japanese dishes.
What is aonori flakes in Japanese? ›
Aonori / green nori seaweed flakes (青のり in Japanese) is dried and powdered seaweed with a unique aroma made from a different type of seaweed than the kind used for sushi.
What are the flakes on sushi? ›
Tempura flakes, or crunchies, are simply bits of fried batter that are leftover after frying tempura. They are sometimes used as toppings for sushi, noodles, and other dishes. You can buy tempura flakes on Amazon for this purpose, but you can always save some money and make your own.
