Shutō (seafood) facts for kids
Shutō (Shutō (酒盗)) is a very special and unique food from Japan. It comes from a city called Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture. It's a type of shiokara, which means it's a dish made from salted and fermented seafood.
What is Shutō?
Shutō is a traditional Japanese dish known for its strong, salty, and deep flavor. It's often enjoyed as a small side dish. While it might sound unusual, it's a popular part of Japanese food culture, especially in the area where it originated.
How is it Made?
Shutō is made from the inner parts of the bonito fish, also known as katsuo. These parts are carefully prepared and then pickled. After pickling, they are left to ferment for a long time, sometimes more than six months! This long fermentation process gives shutō its unique and strong taste.
Sometimes, after fermenting, other ingredients are added to the shutō. These can include a special Japanese drink called sake, sweet honey, and mirin, which is a type of sweet cooking wine. These additions help to make the flavor even richer and more complex. There's also a version made from tuna (maguro) that has a milder taste.
Why is it Called "Sake Thief"?
The name shutō is very interesting! It means "sake thief." This name comes from the idea that the dish is so incredibly tasty and salty that it makes you want to drink a lot of a traditional Japanese beverage, like sake, to balance the flavor. It's like the shutō "steals" your drink because you keep wanting more!
How to Enjoy Shutō
Because shutō is quite salty and has a very strong flavor, it's usually eaten in small bites. People often enjoy a tiny bit of shutō and then follow it with a bite of plain rice or a sip of a drink. This helps to balance the saltiness and lets you appreciate the deep, complex flavors of the dish. There are also different kinds of shutō, some with hot pepper or green onions added for extra taste.
