Shirasu Don (Whitebait on top of rice) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Wakayama Prefecture

Shirasu Don (Whitebait on top of rice)

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Image Source : Yoichi Saika
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Image Source : Yoichi Saika
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Image Source : Yoichi Saika

Main lore areas

North Area, Central Area
Main ingredients used

Whitebait, Rice

History/origin/related events

Whitebait fishing reaches its peak from late March until May. During that time, lots of young Japanese anchovy, Japanese sardine or round herring are caught. Especially, Kada area in Wakayama City and Yuasa in Arita-gun are prominent areas for whitebait industry; fresh whitebait in Kada and boiled whitebait in Yuasa.
In Yuasa area, which boasts the top amount of catching whitebait, the fishers use the technique called ‘batch ami’ when catching whitebait. They pull the fine nets with two small boats to surround groups of fish. The name of this technique came from men’s underwear called ‘batch’ because the net looks like it. The fishers in Enjugahama area, close to Yuasa, have been catching whitebait with traditional seine-fishing.
Fresh whitebait is delivered to factories nearby immediately, then boiled with salt in the huge kettles. It will be dried under sunshine after boiled. ‘Shirasu Don’ is a dish with this whitebait put on top of the rice. The locals enjoy it with Yuasa soy sauce or Kinzanji Miso in Yuasa. Some restaurants offer ’Shirasu Don’ with fresh whitebait. It is unique specialty in fishery port.
Opportunities and times of eating habits

You can buy boiled whitebait throughout the year, but it is the best from late March until whole spring.
How to eat

Sometimes it is served simply with soy sauce and fish flavor, or you can add ‘Ponzu (=Mixed with soy sauce and citrus juice)’, ‘Umeboshi (=Pickled plum)’ , or Kinzanji Miso. Every home has its own way to enjoy this dish. green leek or green shiso is used for condiments.
Efforts for Preservation and Succession

(Outline of traditions, preservation societies, social media use, modern approaches for commercialization etc.)
‘Shirasu Don’ in Yuasa is selected as one of ‘The top 30 of Wakayama local food’. There are many restaurants serving ‘Shirasu Don’, with secret sauce from each restaurant. This dish is popular among tourists, too.

source : Local cuisine and Japanese-style eating habits (Wakayama Co-operative Union)

RECIPE

Ingredients (4 servings)

Boiled whitebait 240g
Green shiso 8
Umeboshi (=Pickled plum) 4
Rice 3 cups
Sesame oil 4 tbsp.
Soy sauce A little

How to cook

1. Julienne green shiso.
2. Place freshly cooked rice in a rice bowl.
3. Put whitebait, then sprinkle soy sauce and sesame oil. Place green shiso and umeboshi.

provider : Wakayama Prefecture JA Women’s Organization Liaison Committee

Recipes vary depending on the region and home.

Contact

Food Cultures Office, Overseas Market Development and Food Cultures Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Tel:+81-3-3502-5516

Shirasu Don (Whitebait on top of rice) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

Wakayama Prefecture