えんがわ

Engawa

"Engawa" does not refer to a specific type of fish but to the muscular part near the fin base of hirame (flounder) or karei (flatfish). It is known for its crunchy texture and strong umami flavour. Since only a small portion can be obtained from each fish, engawa is considered a delicacy. Despite their similar appearance, hirame and karei have different texture due to their different diets. Karei, which feeds on worms and small shrimp, leads a relatively sedentary life on the sea floor and has a fattier body. In contrast, Hirame hunts small fish and moves actively, resulting in a firmer, more muscular body.