(つくだに)

つくだに
noun
tsukudani
1. tsukudani, food simmered in soy sauce and mirin
A Japanese preserved food made by simmering ingredients in soy sauce, mirin, and sugar until the liquid is absorbed. Strongly flavored, eaten in small amounts with rice.
昆布(こんぶ)佃煮(つくだに)ご飯(はん)によく()います。
Kelp tsukudani goes well with rice.
祖母(そぼ)小魚(こざかな)佃煮(つくだに)(つく)りました。
My grandmother made tsukudani with small fish.
佃煮(つくだに)保存(ほぞん)()くので便利(べんり)です。
Tsukudani is convenient because it keeps well.

佃煮(つくだに) is named after 佃島(つくだじま), an area in Tokyo where this cooking method originated.

Common ingredients:

  • 昆布(こんぶ) (kelp)
  • 小魚(こざかな) (small fish like whitebait)
  • 海苔(のり) (seaweed)
  • (かい) (shellfish)
  • 山椒(さんしょう) (Japanese pepper)

Characteristics:

  • Dark, glossy appearance from soy sauce
  • Sweet-savory-salty flavor
  • Intensely flavored - eaten in small portions
  • Long shelf life due to high salt/sugar content

Serving: Typically eaten as a condiment with plain rice, in お茶漬(ちゃづ)け, or in お弁当(べんとう).