Saba no Tatsutaage

Saba no Tatsutaage is a classic Japanese snack made from mackerel marinated in soy sauce and ginger. 

Saba tatsutaage is often included in bento boxes, but can also be served as a main dish, with some rice and miso soup.

The name tatsutaage has a beautiful origin: the dish is named after the Tatsuta River in Nara, Japan. In autumn, the reddish-brown maple leaves fall into the river, giving the water a deep reddish-brown glow. When fish or chicken is marinated and then fried with a light, golden-brown crust, it reminds Japanese people of the same color. That is why this type of fried preparation was given the name tatsutaage: literally “fried in the style of Tatsuta.”