Common name: Spotbelly rockfish, Brassblotched rockfish

Japanese name: Murasoi (斑曹以、群曹以)

Chinese common name: 厚头平鲉

Korean common name: 개볼락

Scientific name: Sebastes pachycephalus Temminck & Schlegel 1843

Nigiri sushi detail: Spotbelly rockfish (Murasoi) Nigiri sushi

Feature:

Spotbelly rockfish (Murasoi) is distributed south of Chiba Prefecture, southern Korean Peninsula, and China. It inhabits relatively shallow reef areas along the coast. Its body color is mostly blackish brown with light black spots scattered on its ventral surface. The body length is 20~30 cm. The season is from fall to spring.

It has not received much attention fisheries-wise and is often confused with Marbled rockfish (Kasago) in the Kanto region. Although not rare, Murasoi’s group is difficult to distinguish and is rarely distributed. With clear white flesh, large Murasoi can be served in a pot, or it is recommended to let it mature in the refrigerator for two days before serving it as sashimi. It is also suitable for deep frying, simmered, grilled with salt, sashimi, and dried.