
The first item recommended to taste is white-flesh fish. Because of its subtle flavor, it doesn’t influence the following topping. Serving it for the very first piece of sushi is a standard move. However, absolute umami in the lightness can be taken as the details Japanese love and no other sushi toppings can offer.
Shiromi refers to white-colored fish meat. The fat content in Shiromi is generally low at about 1.2% in flounder and 4.7% in sea bream. Almost all white fish have a subtle and elegant taste. Furthermore, the rigor mortis takes over slowly and lasts for a long time, so it maintains the crunchy texture longer. Unlike Akami, the Shiromi fish don’t really migrate. You can call yourself a sushi expert if you’re able to recognize which fish it is just by looking at the cut.
Contrary to appearance, Salmon is classified as Shiromi. The salmon is originally grey, and the pink color comes from the pigments of the shrimp and crab on which it preys. We also think that Buri and Shima aji meat looks more beige than white. To be more specific, these are classified as Iromono, but there are relatively few chefs who actually know this term so we will refer to them as Shiromi. Once you’re able to speak knowledgeably on Shiromi, you’ll be a true Sushi Foodie.
What you should keep in mind is that most Shiromi fish used at sushi restaurants is sold as live fish. The broker implements Ikejime according to the instructions of the purchasing shop and then it is delivered. Basically, the chef calculates backward from the time he will make the sushi, aiming to maximize the umami. Furthermore, the price is at least 50% higher, considering the cost to transport from the fishing port to Toyosu Market, etc. This is one of the reasons Shiromi is so expensive at sushi restaurants.
Of course, only white fish that can be used for nigiri sushi is listed. Many varieties of Fugu exist, but with the exception of Torafugu (Japanese puffer fish), they are mainly used in conveyor belt sushi.
*Japanese terms will be italicized on sushi ingredients page. Parentheses after the English name indicate the scientific name.
<Shiromi-White flesh fish>
Aburabouzu-Skilfish
Aburagarei-Kamchatka flounder, Arrow-toothed halibut
Ainame-Green ling (Hexagrammos otakii Jordan & Starks, 1895)
Akahata-Blacktip grouper
Akaisaki-Schlegel red bass
Akakasago-Red deepwater scorpionfish
Akamanbo (Mandai)-Sunfish (Lampris megalopsis Underkoffler, Luers, Hyde and Craig, 2018)
Akamebaru-Rockfish (Sebastes inermis Cuvier,1829)
Akamefugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Akamekasago-Yellowbarred red rockfish
Akauo (Arasukamenuke)-Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus (Gilbert, 1890))
Akayagara-Redcornetfish (Fistularia petimba Lacepède, 1803)
Akodai-Matsubara’s red rockfish
Aodai-Blue fusilier
Aoyagara-Bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838)
Amadai-Horsehead tilefish
Amemasu-White spotted Char (Salvelinus leucomaenis (Pallas, 1814))
Amerikanamazu-Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque, 1818))
Ara-Rock-cod
Arotsunasu-Slender tuna (Allothunnus fallaii Serventy, 1948)
Ayamekasago-Yellowbarred red rockfish (Sebastiscus albofasciatus (Lacepède,1802))
Ayu-Sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1846))
Azukihata-Slender grouper
Bebizake-Red salmon
Biwamasu-Biwa trout
Bora-Flathead gray mullet
Budai-Japanese parrotfish (Calotomus japonicus (Valenciennes, 1840))
Burakkubasu (Ookuchibasu)-Black bass (Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède,1802))
Buri-Japanese amberjack
Chairomaruhata-Orange spotted grouper
Comonfugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Ebotai (Ibodai)-Butterfish, Pacific rudderfish, Melon seed (Psenopsis anomala (Temminck and Schlegel, 1844))
Ebisudai-Japanese soldierfish
Engawa-Thin muscle of the dorsal fin of Japanese flounder, Marbled sole, etc.
Ezo Iwana-White-spotted Char (Salvelinus leucomaenis (Pallas, 1814))
Fedai -Red snapper, Starsnapper
Fugu (Torafugu)-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Ginhirasu-Silver warehou (Seriolella punctata (Forster, 1801))
Ginmutus (Mazeranainame)-Mero, Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides Smith)
Ginmutus (Raigyodamashi)-Mero, Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni Norman)
Ginzake-Silver salmon
Gogi-(Salvelinus leucomaenis imbrius (Jordan and McGregor,1925))
Gomafugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Hachibiki-Japanese rubyfish (Erythrocles schlegelii (Richardson, 1846))
Hakkaku (Tokubire)-Sailfin poacher (Podothecus sachi (Jordan and Snyder, 1901))
Hakofugu-Black-spotted boxfish
Hamadai (Onaga)-Deepwater longtail red snapper
Hamafuefukidai (Taman)-Spangled emperor
Harisenbon-Longspined porcupinefish
Hedai-Goldlined seabream
Higanfugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Himedai-Lavender jobfish
Hiramasa-Amberjack
Hirame-Japanese flounder (Olive flounder)
Hirasuzuki-Blackfin seabass (Lateolabrax latus Katayama, 1957)
Hitozuraharisenbon-Black-blotched porcupinefish
Hoki-Blue haki, Blue grenadier, Whiptail (Macruronus novaezelandiae (Hector, 1871))
Hokke-Okhotsk atka mackerel
Hoshigarei-Spotted halibut (Verasper variegatus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846))
Houbou-Bluefin searobin, Red gurnard (Chelidonichthys spinosus (McClelland, 1844))
Houkihata-Broom grouper
Ikanago-Pacific sand lance
Inada-Japanese amberjack (30〜40cm)
Ira-Wrasse, Tuskfish
Isaki-Striped pigfish
Ishidai-Barred knifejaw (Oplegnathus fasciatus (Temminck and Schlegel,1844))
Ishigakidai-Spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1844))
Ishigakifugu-Spotfin burrfish
Ishigarei-Stone flounder (Platichthys bicoloratus (Basilewsky,1855))
Ishimochi (Shiroguchi)-Sliver croaker (Pennahia argentata (Houttuyn,1782 ))
Itou-Sakhalin taimen (Hucho perryi (Brevoort, 1856))
Itoyoridai-Golden threadfin bream (Nemipterus virgatus (Houttuyn, 1782))
Izumidai (Chika)-Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus,1766))
Kagamidai (Ginmatou)-John dorey, Mirror dory
Kagokakidai-Footballer
Kaiwari-Whitefin trevally, Horse kingfish (Kaiwarinus equula (Temminck and Schlegel, 1844))
Kajika-Japanese sculpin
Kanafugu-Smooth Blaasop
Kanagashira-Searobin (Lepidotrigla microptera Günther, 1873)
Kanpachi-Greater amberjack
Karafutomasu-Pink salmon
Karasu (Gatoro)-(Takifugu chinensis (Abe, 1949))
Karasugarei-Greenland halibut
Kasago-Marbled rockfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus (Cuvier, 1829))
Kawahagi-Filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850))
Keiji-Chum salmon, Dog salmon, Keta salmon
Kichinu (Kibire)-Yellowfin sea-bream
Kidai (Renkodai)-Yellowback seabream (Dentex hypselosomus Bleeker, 1854)
Kijihata (Akou)-Redspotted Grouper
Kingklip-Pink cusk-eel (Genypterus blacodes (Forster, 1801))
Kinki (Kichiji)-Thornhead (Sebastolobus macrochir (Günther, 1877))
Kinmedai-Splendid alfonsino (Beryx splendens Lowe,1834)
Kintokidai-Red bigeye (Priacanthus macracanthus Cuvier,1829)
Kitenhata-Duskytail grouper
Kitsunemebaru (Mazoi)-Fox jacopever (Sebastes vulpes Döderlein, 1884)
Kochi (Magochi)-Bartail flathead
Korodai-Painted sweetlip
Koshodai-Crescent sweetlips (Plectorhinchus cinctus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843))
Kue-Longtooth grouper (Epinephelus bruneus Bloch, 1793)
Kurodai (Chinu)-Blackhead seabream
Kuromebaru-Brown rockfish (Sebastes ventricosus Temminck and Schlegel,1843)
Kuromejina-Smallscale blackfish (Girella leonina (Richardson,1846))
Kurosabafugu-Dark rough-backed puffer
Kurosoi-Black rockfish, Schlegel’s rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880)
Kurumadai-Japanese bigeye (Pristigenys niphonia (Cuvier,1829))
Kusafugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Kyuusen-Wrasse
Okinamejina- (Girella mezina Jordan & Starks, 1907)
Mafugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Mahata (Hata)-Grouper, Rock-cod, Seven band grouper (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus (Thunberg 1793))
Mahaze-Spiny goby, Yellowfin goby (Acanthogobius flavimanus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1845))
Mahi-mahi (Shiira)-Common dolphinfish
Makogarei-Marbled sole
Managatsuo-Silver pomfret (Pampus punctatissimus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1845))
Masunosuke-King salmon
Matoudai-John dory (Zeus faber Linnaeus, 1758)
Matsukawagarei (Matsukawa)-Barfin flounder (Verasper moseri Jordan & Gilbert, 1898)
Mebaru-Rockfish
Medai-Japanese butterfish
Megochi-Bigeyed flathead
Mehikari-Bigeyed greeneye (Chlorophthalmus albatrossis Jordan & Starks, 1904)
Meichidai-Nakedhead (Gymnocranius griseus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1844))
Meitagarei-Finespotted flounder, Ridged-eye flounder
Mejika-Chum salmon, Dog salmon, Keta salmon
Mejina-Largescale blackish, Greeenfish, Nibbler, Rudderfish (Girella punctata Gray, 1835)
Merurusa (New Zealand heiku)-Southern haku, Haku, whiting (Merluccius australis (Hutton, 1872))
Mutsu-Japanese bluefish
Nametagarei (Babagarei)-Slime flounder
Nashifugu-Purple puffer
Nezumifugu-Spot-fin porcupinefish
Nezumigochi (Megochi)-Richardson’s dragonet
Nibe-Honnibe croaker (Nibea mitsukurii (Jordan and Snyder, 1900))
Nijimasu-Rainbow trout
Nikko Iwana-(Salvelinus leucomaenis pluvius (Hilgendorf, 1876))
Nizadai-Scalpel sawtail
Nodoguro (Akamutsu)-Blackthroat seaperch
Ohyo- Halibut
Ojisan- Manybar goatfish
Okimebaru- Goldeye rockfish
Okoze (Oniokoze)-Devil stinger (Inimicus japonicus (Cuvier, 1829))
Oomehata-Silvergray seaperch (Malakichthys griseus Döderlein,1883)
Oomematoudai-(Allocyttus verrucosus (Gilchrist,1906))
Peherei-(Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835))
Sake -Salmon
Sakuramasu -Cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou subsp. masou)
Salmon trout -(Artificially created rainbow trout varieties)
Samegarei -Roughscale sole
Sawara-Japanese spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius (Cuvier, 1832))
Sennen-Enperor red snapper
Shima aji-Crevalle jack (Trevally)
Shimafugu-Striped puffer
Shinshu salmon-(A crossbreed between a male brown trout and a female rainbow trout)
Shirasu-Whitebait
Shirohirasu-White warehou (Seriolella caerulea Guichenot, 1848)
Shirokurabera (Makubu)-Blackspot tuskfish
Shiromebaru-Rockfish (Sebastes cheni Barsukov,1988)
Shirosabafugu (Sabafugu)-Half-smooth golden pufferfish
Shirosuzuki -Nile perch (Lates niloticus (Linnaeus))
Shirozake (Shake)-Chum salmon
Shosaifugu-Globefish, Blowfish, Puffer
Sokoitoyoridai-Yellowbelly threadfin bream (Nemipterus bathybius Snyder, 1911)
Sugi-Cobia (Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766))
Sujiara-Leopard coralgrouper
Suzuki-Japanese seaperch
Tai (Madai)-Red seabream (Pagrus major (Temminck and Schlegel, 1844))
Taiseiyosake-Atlantic salmon
Takasago (Gurukun)-Black-tip fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma (Bleeker, 1864))
Tara (Madara)-Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus Tilesius, 1810)
Tobinumeri-(Repomucenus beniteguri (Jordan and Snyder, 1900))
Tokishirazu (Toki)-Chum salmon, Dog salmon, Keta salmon
Torafugu-Japanese pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes (Temminck and Schlegel, 1850))
Toujin-Hardhead grenadier (Coelorinchus japonicus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1846))
Tsumuburi-Rainbow runner
Ukkarikasago- (Sebastiscus tertius Barsukov and Chen, 1978)
Umazurahagi-Leatherfish (Thamnaconus modestus (Gunther,1877))
Umeiro-Yellowtail blue snapper
Umeiromodoki-Yellow and blueback fusilier
Usubahagi-Unicorn leatherjacket filefish
Usumebaru-Goldeye rockfish (Sebastes thompsoni (Jordan and Hubbs, 1925))
Utsubo-Brutal moray (Gymnothorax kidako (Temminck and Schlegel, 1847))
Yaitohata-Malabar grouper
Yamato Iwana-(Salvelinus leucomaenis japonicus (Oshima, 1938))
Yanagi-no-mai-Yellow body rockfish
Yarinumeri-(Repomucenus huguenini (Bleeker, 1859))
Yoritofugu-Blunthead puffer
Yoroiitatiuo (Higedara)-Armoured cusk
Yumekasago-Scorpionfish (Helicolenus hilgendorfi (Steindachner and Döderlein, 1884))
We hope this information will be helpful.
Revision date: April 6, 2023
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