Grilled Mackerel Set
The grilled salted mackerel set is a typical Japanese meal representing the culture of grilled fish. It consists of mackerel seasoned with salt and grilled, served alongside rice, miso soup, small side dishes, and pickles. Widely enjoyed in homes and casual dining establishments throughout Japan, this simple dish is valued for its method of preparation that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients as well as its high nutritional value, making it a popular and healthy option in Japanese cuisine. With the growing popularity of Japanese food worldwide, this dish can also be found in various countries. For example, in Makati’s Little Tokyo district in Manila, Philippines, restaurants such as Hana Japanese Restaurant offer an authentic taste that is enjoyed by both Japanese expatriates and local people.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 430 Philippine Peso
- Meal Date
- 2/24/2024
- Food Travel Log
- Investigating Japanese food in Little Tokyo, Makati! First, I visited Hana, a restaurant with over 10 years of history, and ordered the saba shioyaki set meal. The mackerel was oily and tasted just like in Japan! The miso soup broth was very Japanese! The rice was somewhat Japanese? The Japanese owner ensured the food was tailored to Japanese tastes. Despite the name "Little," the cooking skills were "Big."
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview of the Grilled Salted Mackerel Set
The Grilled Salted Mackerel Set is one of Japan’s traditional set meals (teishoku), mainly consisting of carefully grilled mackerel (saba) seasoned with salt, served with rice, miso soup, small side dishes, and pickles. In Japanese set meal culture, it is frequently called “yakizakana teishoku” (grilled fish set meal) and is regarded as a prime example of healthy Japanese cuisine. Mackerel is an oily blue-backed fish high in nutritional value, rich in essential fatty acids like EPA and DHA, B vitamins, vitamin D, and protein. While there are slight regional differences and adaptations in the cooking process across Japan, the fundamental “mackerel, salt, and fire” simplicity defines the dish, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through.
Cooking and Ingredient Characteristics
Grilled salted mackerel is usually prepared using fresh, fatty mackerel, which is cleaned, lightly salted all over, and then slowly grilled over indirect heat until the skin turns crispy. Charcoal or gas grills are commonly used in Japan, but the method of grilling can be flexibly adapted depending on local cooking facilities and ingredient availability. Highly valued characteristics include the crispy skin, juicy interior, and a harmonious balance of moderate saltiness. Accompaniments such as grated daikon radish and citrus (kabosu, sudachi, or lime as shown in the photo) add refreshing acidity that offsets the richness of the fish.
Set Meal Style and Japanese Culinary Culture
This set meal style typically combines the main dish of grilled salted mackerel with freshly cooked white rice, miso soup, small side dishes (such as vegetables in light broth or tofu salad), and pickles in a well-balanced arrangement. The miso soup is made with dashi from kombu or bonito flakes, into which miso is dissolved and ingredients like tofu or green onions are added. In Japanese set meal culture, nutrition is believed to be balanced by combining a main dish, side dishes, staple food, and soup—a concept known as “ichiju sansai” (one soup, three sides). Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) has been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013, and this set meal style is considered an emblem of Japanese culture.
Localization and Significance in Manila/Makati Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo in Makati, within the Manila metropolitan area in the Philippines, is known as a hub where Japanese food culture and ambiance can be experienced locally. The area features numerous Japanese-owned restaurants and grocery stores, serving as a gathering place for Japanese expatriates and local fans of Japanese cuisine. “Hana Japanese Restaurant” shown in the photo has been operating for over a decade; it is highly rated locally as an authentic Japanese restaurant run by a Japanese owner. Despite the “Little Tokyo” branding, considerable effort is put into maintaining a level of culinary quality—including the grilling of mackerel, dashi for the miso soup, and rice preparation—that rivals establishments in Japan itself. As a result, not only Japanese patrons but also a multinational clientele value it as a place to enjoy genuinely authentic Japanese cuisine.
International Recognition and Sustainability Perspectives
Consumption of mackerel outside of Japan is on the rise, with export volumes steadily increasing along with the expansion of Japanese restaurants worldwide. At the same time, the sustainability of fishery resources is becoming a global issue. Environmentally conscious fishing practices, such as those with MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification, are being promoted both in Japan and around the world. The restaurant industry is increasingly making use of locally available ingredients and practicing responsible sourcing to help manage resources sustainably.
Summary
The Grilled Salted Mackerel Set is a traditional set meal centered on grilled fish, beloved at Japanese homes and eateries, renowned for its health and nutritional balance. Even overseas—in Japanese-owned establishments like “Hana” in Makati’s Little Tokyo, Manila—the quality rivals that found in Japan. The way Japanese food culture is cherished globally, continuing to blend with local dietary habits, is emblematic of the spread of cultural exchange and culinary diversity.