I believe in second chances. I believe that if someone makes an honest mistake, with no malice behind it, they deserve another shot to prove themselves. I also believe the same goes for food, as far as I’m concerned.
Keeping that in mind and walking through East East the other day, I came face to crab with an old snack I never wanted to see again. *Gasp*! “Tamago gani, imagine seeing you here!” Yes, it was the bowel abrading snack that almost stopped my breathing with its foul and gritty taste. Situated on either side of the lil’ stinkers were two other seafood snacks made by the same company. All three bags invited consumers to party with them in bold letters on the packaging. Since I’m such a sucker for a good party and I do believe in second chances, I bought the Yaki Aji (Roasted Horse Mackerel).
It’s an hour after I’ve eaten a hearty lunch so there should be no gratuitous snack eating like the tamago gani incident. Opening the bag is like taking a walk on the beach after the Red Tide in summer; it stinks like infected, dead fish. But my experience with foreign foods is to never judge them by their smell.
These mackerel are small, snack size, perfect for a quick boost. 15 grams of protein per serving promises enough energy to get me through this review and then some. The fishies have been cut down the middle, gutted and seasoned with sugar, salt, MSG and, undoubtedly, nori. They don’t look disturbing, but perhaps that’s the fisher girl in me. They feel like leather and the first bite confirms that the tactile and the savory texture are one and the same *sigh*.
Since I haven’t had “real†meat jerky in 10 years, I’m not sure I can equate this texture to beef jerky. It’s dry and hard to chew, but not impossible once I get momentum. It actually tastes OK. The sugar is the first thing I notice followed by the salt and nori. The fish flavor really isn’t that prominent. Aside from the jaw work, this stuff is palatable. Nothing stands out though.
Salt and sugar are staples in Japanese snacks but I was hoping that the mackerel would play a stronger role in this one. I like oily fish and regularly devour sardines and anchovies. I was disappointed with Yaki Aji primarily because of its meek oceanic flavor. At least I wasn’t capsized in a sea of heartburn like when I tested the tamago gani.
If anyone is curious as to what fish jerky tastes like, this is your snack. Be warned that the fish flavor is subtle and that you’ll really have to gnaw at this stuff for awhile to be able to swallow without choking.
TEXTURE:
FLAVOR:
APPEARANCE:
PACKAGING:
Giving this unremarkable snack an overall:
Pffft. Everyone knows if it’s a snack, and it’s a party, it’s gotta be Chocoboru!!
Not a fan of dried fish. I think it’s really the texture that bugs me out the most. I don’t mind the taste (the ones I’ve had have been fishy), but chewing on it makes me gag. Haven’t tried it in several years though.
Looks good. But generally, fresh fish is better. Have you tried Unagi bones? I couldnt rmember the Japanese name, but it’s like the spinal column of large unagi and served deep fried. Now those are super.
-Narcolepsy, I tried googling Chocoboru but to no avail. Do tell what chocoboru are and if I can get an invite to the party,
-Super rats, it’s an acquired taste I’m betting. I still haven’t found a decent fish jerky that tastes like fish . All the dried fish I’ve tried thus far, except for some unagi a while back, are the tactile equivalent of old leather.
-Tj Han, fresh fish is always better than dried but I kinda have an affinity for dried food stuffs. I have a bread box filled with dried and preserved fruit and fish. I guess I’m weird like that. Would you happen to be knowing the proper name of that there spinal treat you mentioned?
My gf cracked up at the packaging (”Party Time de gojaru”).
The yaki aji looks too gross for me… I’ll stick to various soft ika.
Here are some Chocoboru commercials:
http://www.morinaga.co.jp/cm/ball.html
Yeah, that does look a little ack. I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage to try it.
omg is that dead baby sting rays???? ugh i agree a little stomache ahe i am having now
just looking at it
No, @japancandyeater, these aren’t baby sting rays, lol ^^. But they are horse mackerel that are dried and seasoned in the traditional Japanese manner.