Nitsuke Fish: A Delicious Japanese Seafood Dish

If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, you've likely come across the term "nitsuke fish."

Nitsuke is a traditional Japanese cooking technique that involves simmering fish in a seasoned broth until it's tender and flavourful.

The dish is a favourite in Japan and is enjoyed by people all over the world.

A whole fish simmering in a savory soy-based broth with ginger and green onions, surrounded by steam and bubbling liquid

Nitsuke fish is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of fish, including rockfish, flounder, mackerel, and black cod.

The fish is typically simmered in a broth made from soy sauce, sake, mirin, and ginger.

The broth infuses the fish with flavour and helps to keep it moist and tender.

The dish is usually served with rice and vegetables and is a popular choice for lunch or dinner.

Key Takeaways

Nitsuke fish is a traditional Japanese dish that involves simmering fish in a seasoned broth until it's tender and flavourful.
The dish can be made with a variety of fish, including rockfish, flounder, mackerel, and black cod.
Nitsuke fish is typically served with rice and vegetables and is a popular choice for lunch or dinner.

Nitsuke Fish Basics

A whole fish simmering in a savory soy-based broth with ginger and mirin, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds

What Is Nitsuke?

Nitsuke is a traditional Japanese cooking technique that involves simmering fish in a flavorful broth made from soy sauce, sake, mirin, and other seasonings. The word "nitsuke" itself means "simmered" in Japanese.

This method of cooking is often used to prepare fish, but it can also be used for other ingredients like tofu and vegetables.

The key to a good nitsuke dish is to use high-quality ingredients and to simmer the fish gently until it is cooked through but still tender.

The broth should be rich and flavorful, with a balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors.

The Role of Nitsuke in Japanese Cuisine

Nitsuke is a popular cooking technique in Japanese cuisine, particularly for preparing fish.

It is often served as part of a traditional Japanese meal, alongside rice, miso soup, and other dishes.

In addition to its delicious flavor, nitsuke is also valued for its health benefits.

Fish is a good source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart health and brain function.

Preparing Nitsuke Fish

A chef marinates fish in soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a pot

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy meal that's easy to prepare, nitsuke fish is a great option.

This Japanese dish is typically made by simmering fish in a sauce made from soy sauce, sake, mirin, and other seasonings.

Here's everything you need to know to prepare nitsuke fish at home.

Selecting the Right Fish

The first step in preparing nitsuke fish is selecting the right type of fish.

You'll want to choose a white fish that is firm and has a mild flavour.

Good options include flounder, cod, mackerel, black cod (gindara), rockfish (mebaru), snapper, sole, sardines, and halibut.

If you're using a whole fish, make sure to remove the bones before cooking.

Key Ingredients and Seasonings

To make nitsuke fish, you'll need a few key ingredients and seasonings.

These include soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, water, and grated ginger.

You may also want to add green onions or other vegetables for extra flavour and nutrition.

Cooking Equipment Essentials

To prepare nitsuke fish, you'll need a few basic pieces of cooking equipment.

These include a sharp knife for filleting the fish, a pot for simmering the fish, and aluminum foil or a Japanese drop lid to cover the pot.

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

Begin by preparing the sauce. In a small pot, combine soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, water, and grated ginger.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes.
While the sauce is simmering, prepare the fish. Fillet the fish and cut it into serving-sized pieces.

If you're using a whole fish, remove the bones before cutting it into pieces.
Add the fish to the pot with the sauce. Cover the pot with aluminum foil or a Japanese drop lid and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the pot and arrange it on a serving plate.

Spoon some of the sauce over the fish and garnish with green onions or other vegetables.
Serve the nitsuke fish with steamed rice and other side dishes for a delicious and nutritious main course.

Sakana no Nitsuke Recipe Card

Here's a recipe card with the ingredients, prep time, cook time, total time, and nutrition facts for sakana no nitsuke:

Ingredients	Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Calories
White fish fillets	10 minutes	15 minutes	25 minutes	200 calories
Soy sauce	-	-	-	10 calories
Sake	-	-	-	30 calories
Mirin	-	-	-	40 calories
Sugar	-	-	-	20 calories
Water	-	-	-	0 calories
Grated ginger	-	-	-	5 calories
Green onions (optional)	-	-	-	5 calories

Frequently Asked Questions

A plate of nitsuke fish with steaming sauce, garnished with green onions and ginger, placed on a traditional Japanese serving dish

How do you prepare a traditional nitsuke dish?

To prepare a traditional nitsuke dish, you will need to simmer fish in a sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and water.

The fish is typically cut into fillets or steaks, and then simmered in the sauce until it's cooked through.

You can also add vegetables like daikon, carrots, and mushrooms to the sauce for added flavour and nutrition.

What ingredients are essential for making nitsuke sauce?

The essential ingredients for making nitsuke sauce are soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.

These ingredients are combined in a pot with water and brought to a boil.

Once the mixture has come to a boil, the heat is turned down and the fish is added to the pot.

The fish is then simmered in the sauce until it's cooked through.

Can you suggest some vegetables that pair well with nitsuke?

Some vegetables that pair well with nitsuke are daikon, carrots, and mushrooms.

These vegetables absorb the flavour of the sauce and add nutrition to the dish.

You can also add other vegetables like bok choy, spinach, and broccoli to the dish for added flavour and nutrition.

What's a simple recipe for Gindara nitsuke?

To make Gindara nitsuke, you will need Gindara fish, soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and water.

Simply combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and water in a pot and bring to a boil.

Once the mixture has come to a boil, turn down the heat and add the Gindara fish to the pot.

Simmer the fish in the sauce until it's cooked through and serve with steamed rice.

How do you make Ahi nitsuke at home?

To make Ahi nitsuke at home, you will need Ahi tuna, soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and water.

Combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and water in a pot and bring to a boil.

Once the mixture has come to a boil, turn down the heat and add the Ahi tuna to the pot.