45g shaved sardines

Delicious even when eaten as is: shaved sardines

Sprinkle it on rice, vegetables, or tofu. Just sprinkle it on and you'll be full of flavor! These sardine shavings are perfect for eating.

We use only the finest, low-fat sardines. The heads and innards are carefully removed, then steamed and sun-dried to bring out the flavor. Each sardine is painstakingly shaved, so the resulting sardine shavings have no fishy smell even when eaten raw. The key to this product is the fluffy texture, achieved by shaving the sardines extremely thinly with a 0.01mm plane. (Volume: 45g)

Ingredients: Dried sardines (Japanese sardines)

Shokunin Shoyu No. 3019

What does sardine shavings taste like?

"Isn't this dried bonito flakes?" is a question we often get from our customers. That's right. It's not bonito, it's sardines. So the first thing that comes to mind is the taste. Most people are concerned about it and ask, "Doesn't it have a fishy smell?"

A word of advice to those of you who feel this way: don't worry! When you take a bite, the first thing you'll notice is a fragrant aroma, followed by a gentle, rich flavor. You'll immediately realize, "Ah! This is different from bonito flakes."

How is it different from bonito flakes?

Sardines have a strong flavor and aroma. Rather than being delicate like bonito, they are delicious to eat and add richness and aroma. They can be enjoyed as a side dish.

Of course, you can also use these sardine shavings to make soup stock. It produces a strong and rich soup stock. However, I usually eat them as they are, so I rarely use them for soup stock.

Kanejo's Commitment

These sardine shavings are made by Kanejo in Shizuoka Prefecture, a store specializing in sakura shrimp and dried bonito flakes. They are made with 100% domestic ingredients, are completely additive-free, and do not even use antioxidants (vitamin E) for bleaching purposes.

Sardine shavings, made from dried sardines, are rich in calcium, about 80 times more than dried bonito flakes! They contain no added salt and are low in sodium. They're also safe for low-salt cooking and baby food.

How to enjoy sardine shavings

Just pour it over your usual rice

First of all, pour it over freshly cooked rice and enjoy! Add a little soy sauce. It's a simple dish, but that's why it's a luxurious bowl that allows you to enjoy the flavor of the ingredients.

Also great with egg and natto rice

This is my go-to variation. I sprinkle shaved sardines over hot rice, drop an egg in the middle, and drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil. It takes your usual egg-on-rice to the next level! It turns it into a feast.

Plenty of boiled spinach

You can also try boiled spinach, which you would normally top with bonito flakes. If you don't like the green or earthy smell of spinach, try topping it with plenty of shaved sardines.

Turn a simple salad into a feast

Don't have enough ingredients in your fridge to make a great-looking salad? That's when shaved sardines come in handy. Simply julienned onions or daikon radish will also do. The flavor of carefully selected sardines also allows you to reduce the amount of dressing and soy sauce you need.

Easily add flavor and nutrition

Instant miso soup is a great choice for busy days when you're short on time. Just sprinkle some shaved sardines on top to add a rich, fragrant flavor. It also boosts nutritional value by providing calcium and protein, so you won't feel guilty about eating instant miso soup.

For advanced users! My recommended usage

Mix it into potato salad

Sardine shavings are packed with umami, so they can be used as a condiment or to add more umami. Mixing them into potato salad gives it a smoky, deep flavor, giving it a more mature taste.

For pasta toppings

Add shaved sardines to oil-based pasta dishes (garlic, whitebait, mushrooms) as a finishing topping. It can be used like powdered cheese, and will add a deep umami flavor.

Recommended soy sauce for shaving sardines

Customers often ask me, "Which soy sauce goes well with shaved sardines?" Of course, it depends on how you eat it and your preferences, but I recommend the following three.

1. Pale purple / Suehiro Soy Sauce (Hyogo Prefecture)

For those who want to fully enjoy the flavor of sardine shavings

I like light and refreshing flavors, so I end up using Pale Purple a lot. It brings out the flavor of the shaved sardines while adding just the right amount of saltiness. I also love the combination of shaved sardines, Pale Purple, and sesame oil.

② Ohno Soy Sauce / Nomura Soy Sauce (Fukui Prefecture)

For those who enjoy it with rice

This sweet soy sauce is recommended not only for freshly cooked rice, but also for rice with raw egg on top and grilled rice balls. Ohno's soy sauce has a strong soy sauce flavor and a sweet taste. It has a perfect balance with the rich flavor of the shaved sardines.

3. Miso Tamari / Ishimagoto Honten (Akita Prefecture)

For those looking for something a little different from the charm of sardine shavings

The rich flavor of the shaved sardines and the deep flavor of the miso tamari combine to transform even the simplest dishes into surprisingly rich dishes. It is especially recommended to pair it with boiled vegetables or chilled tofu.

If you think that bonito flakes = dashi, we recommend you try this! Sardine shavings are delicious even when eaten as is. Why not add a sprinkle of the savory flavor of fish to your daily meals?

Text: Miho Matano (Shokunin Soy Sauce)