Kids try grilling bonito fish in western Japan

Detailed summary

Elementary school students in Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, have tried their hand at making a local specialty by searing bonito over straw flames, a traditional cooking…

Elementary school students in Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, have tried their hand at making a local specialty by searing bonito over straw flames, a traditional cooking technique.

About 50 children took part in the class at an elementary school in the city of Nankoku on Wednesday.

Kochi is renowned for bonito fishing. The children were told about major ports where the fish is landed, as well as the pole-and-line fishing method.

They also learned about recent challenges facing the industry, such as declining catches and a shrinking workforce.

The children then tried making a local specialty called "katsuo no tataki," or bonito that is seared on the outside and raw in the middle.

They watched as bonito was expertly prepared for grilling, and worked in pairs to sear the fish over burning rice straw.

Some were startled when flames shot up, but they managed to sear the fish until it turned brown.

The children sliced the bonito, arranged it on platters and enjoyed their freshly prepared dish with a citrus-based sauce.

One girl said this was the first time she had tried straw-grilling. She said the fish was heavy and difficult to handle, but the experience was unforgettable, and it was good to learn about the local specialty.

Opening of the article, excerpted from NHK World. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.