Common name: Moray eel, Kidako moray, Kikado moray, Twist-banded moray, Brutal moray

Japanese name: Utsubo (ウツボ)

Taiwan common name: 蠕紋裸胸鯙、錢鰻、薯鰻、虎鰻

Chinese common name: 蠕纹裸胸鳝

Korean common name: 곰치

Scientific name: Gymnothorax kidako (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)

Nigiri sushi detail: Moray eel (Utsubo) Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Moray eel (Utsubo) inhabits the reefs of southern Japan except for the Ryukyu Islands. The body length is about 80 cm. Its body shape resembles that of an eel, but it is laterally flattened and lacks pectoral and ventral fins. Its body color is yellowish brown with blackish brown transverse stripes on a yellowish-brown background.

Its flesh is of good quality but has many small bones and is generally inedible. However, moray eel (Utsubo) cuisine is a specialty in Kochi and other prefectures. It is characterized by being light and having plenty of collagen between the skin and meat.

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