Do you often eat sea bream? In Japan, it’s a popular choice for sashimi—but did you know it’s also considered a symbol of good luck? From festive meals to celebratory dishes, sea bream plays a special role in Japanese culture. Why is that? Let’s dive in and find out! 🐟✨
Sea Bream in Japanese Culture
In ancient Japan, sea bream was considered a luxury fish—so expensive that it wasn’t part of everyday meals. Instead, it was offered to the gods during rituals and served at important ceremonies. Over time, it became a traditional dish for celebrations and special events like New Year’s.
What makes it even more symbolic is its name. In Japanese, sea bream is called tai (鯛), which sounds similar to medetai (めでたい), meaning happy or auspicious. Because of this wordplay, sea bream is deeply associated with good fortune and joyful occasions.
In Japan, red and white are special colors used for happy events like weddings and New Year. Sea bream has a beautiful red skin, so it matches these lucky colors. That’s another reason why people see it as a good fortune fish.
Taiyaki – Japan’s Sweetest Fish
Taiyaki is a beloved Japanese snack shaped like a sea bream—but don’t worry, it’s not made of fish! It’s a golden, crispy pancake filled with sweet red bean paste. When freshly baked, the outside crackles with a light crunch, while the warm filling melts gently inside. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and so satisfying.
These days, taiyaki comes with all kinds of fillings—smooth custard cream, earthy chestnut paste, even chocolate! Each bite is a cozy hug, especially on a chilly day.
Shiromochi Taiyaki – Chewy, Chilled, and Irresistible
Seven-Eleven offers a chilled version of taiyaki that’s unbelievably tasty. The first thing you’ll notice is the outer dough—it’s soft, stretchy, and delightfully chewy, like a freshly made rice cake but lighter. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, and has a cool, refreshing texture that surprises you in the best way.
Inside, the custard cream is rich and creamy with a gentle vanilla aroma. It melts just right against the chewy skin, creating a perfect balance of flavor and texture. One bite, and you’ll understand why this chilled Taiyaki is a hidden gem in the konbini sweets world!
Can you see the picture of folding the sweet? When you fold the dough, it doesn’t tear easily—it’s so stretchy and stringy! Can you imagine that this kind of dough is actually delicious? It’s amazing! The custard cream inside is so rich and smooth! You must try it at least once. You can find it at a konbini, which means Japanese convenience store!
Summary
At New Year’s, I usually enjoy a luxurious boxed meal called osechi, and grilled sea bream is often included. It’s a traditional dish for celebration—but to be honest, I prefer taiyaki! These days, taiyaki has become a popular snack, loved by people of all ages.
And here’s a fun part: in Japan, there’s a playful belief about how you eat taiyaki. If you start from the head, you’ll become smarter. If you start from the tail, you’ll be able to run faster! So when you visit Japan, don’t forget to try taiyaki—and choose your first bite wisely! 🐟✨
コメント