鰹節(かつおぶし)

かつおぶし
noun
dried bonito flakes
food
1. dried bonito flakes, katsuobushi
Thin shavings of dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna, used for making dashi and as a topping.
鰹節(かつおぶし)を削(けず)る。
Shave dried bonito.
Traditional preparation involves shaving from a block
お好(この)み焼(や)きの上(うえ)に鰹節(かつおぶし)をかける。
Sprinkle bonito flakes on top of okonomiyaki.
鰹節(かつおぶし)と昆布(こんぶ)で合(あ)わせ出汁(だし)を作(つく)る。
Make combined dashi from bonito flakes and kelp.
冷(ひ)ややっこに鰹節(かつおぶし)をのせて食(た)べる。
Eat chilled tofu topped with bonito flakes.
熱(あつ)い料理(りょうり)の上(うえ)に鰹節(かつおぶし)をのせると、ゆらゆら動(うご)いて面白(おもしろ)い。
Placing bonito flakes on hot food makes them sway around in an interesting way.

鰹節(かつおぶし) is skipjack tuna that has been boiled, smoked and dried, often also cured with mold, until it is one of the hardest foods there is. It is shaved into flakes for 出汁(だし) and as a topping; at home the flakes are often called おかか.

Types

  • 荒節(あらぶし): smoked and dried, no mold
  • 枯節(かれぶし): also cured with mold; richer flavor
  • 本枯節(ほんかれぶし): mold-cured several times; premium
  • 削(けず)り節(ぶし): ready-shaved flakes sold in packs
  • 糸(いと)削(けず)り: fine threads, used as a garnish
  • 厚(あつ)削(けず)り: thick shavings for long-simmered dashi

Usage

On hot food such as お好(この)み焼(や)き, the thin flakes curl and sway in the rising heat, so they are said to 踊(おど)る (dance).

Related Words

Related: 昆布(こんぶ) (kelp (for dashi))
Related: お好(この)み焼(や)き (okonomiyaki, savory pancake)
Related: 揚(あ)げ出(だ)し豆腐(どうふ) (deep-fried tofu served in broth)
Related: ソース焼(や)きそば (sauce yakisoba)
Compare: おかか (dried bonito flakes (often seasoned))
Related: 旨味(うまみ) (umami)
Related: 刻(きざ)み葱(ねぎ) (chopped green onions)
core
Added 2026.1.14 21:50 · Revised 2026.10.19 9:58
04500/04935_katsuobushi