What is botan-ebi in sushi?牡丹海老
This time, I looked into the various names and seasons for sushi botan-ebi.
How to call botan-ebi
【botan-ebi】botan shrimp ボタンエビ 牡丹海老
Botan shrimp is also called Toyama shrimp. This is because the actual catch of botan shrimp is extremely small, and toyama shrimp caught in Toyama Bay in Toyama Prefecture, Japan is often treated as botan shrimp. This seems to be recognized by the guidelines established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Botan shrimp got its name from its bright red color, resembling a peony, when it’s alive.
The peak season for botan-ebi
Botan shrimp (Botan shrimp) live from the coast of the Sea of Japan to the Bering Sea. The spawning season and fishing season vary depending on the region, and the market seems to have stock almost all year round. However, spawning in all regions seems to end between April and September, so the best time to eat them is from winter to spring, and the best time to eat them is from November to March.
In addition, in Hokuriku and other areas, this shrimp is caught during the season when snow crab fishing is not possible, so in Kanazawa, the peak season is from late March to summer after the crab season has finished. Seasonal Botan shrimp (Toyama shrimp) has a rich flavor similar to sweetness, and has an attractive plump texture. If the miso is fresh, you can eat it as is. Miso has a rich yet refreshing and elegant taste, and is sometimes used in hot pot dishes. Botan shrimp is said to be easily perishable, but in recent years, advances in freezing and transportation technology have made it possible to enjoy it throughout the year. From this information, we can see that the season for Botan shrimp differs depending on the region and annual climate. However, it is generally said that it is most delicious from winter to spring.
