On a recent trip to Niigata, I picked up a jar of Salted Salmon as a souvenir.
My wife, who had been researching Niigata specialties, found this and told me, “It’s supposed to be delicious!”
To be honest, food souvenirs from trips often leave only a mild impression, something along the lines of “it was good.” But this salted salmon was different.
It was incredible. Truly exceptional.
I couldn’t keep this gem to myself, so I decided to share it in this article.
A Popular Delicacy from Niigata: Salted Salmon
Here’s the packaging of the salted salmon.
It’s a product from a company called “SanKo,” which primarily deals in processed seafood products.
(Note: This is a different company from “SanKo Seika,” famous for snacks like Mini Salad and Snow Rice Crackers, which is also based in Niigata.)
While Niigata is known for Murakami City, often called “Salmon Town,” the salmon used in this salted salmon is Atlantic salmon sourced from places like Norway.
They use only the fattiest belly portions of the salmon, marinate it with salted koji (fermented rice malt), and sprinkle it with salted salmon roe.
The Umami of Salmon Enhanced by Salted Koji: Perfect with Rice or Sake
Here’s the salted salmon served on a plate.
The dish consists of chunks of rich, tender salmon marinated in salted koji, accompanied by glistening salmon roe.
The moment I tasted it, I was stunned. “What is this? It’s so good!” I couldn’t help but exclaim over and over. This is simply an outstanding delicacy.
When you think of “shiokara” (salted seafood), squid usually comes to mind. But unlike squid shiokara, this isn’t overly salty or overpowering.
It’s like the essence of salmon flavor taken to another level with salted koji. Honestly, words can’t fully capture how good it is.
It pairs perfectly with both rice and sake.
A Must-Try Souvenir from Niigata—Available Online Too
This may not be the most photogenic dish, but trust me—it’s incredibly delicious. I urge you to give it a try.
If you’re planning a trip to Niigata, you can easily find it at airports or train stations. Alternatively, it’s available online via Amazon, Rakuten, or SanKo’s official store.
(Note: Rakuten and the official store offer free shipping for orders over 5,400 yen.)
