Katsuobushi: The Soul of Japanese Food
If you have ever had Japanese food, chances are you have encountered katsuobushi (鰹節), or dried bonito, in your dish. Often considered the soul of Japanese cuisine, dried bonito imparts an elegant depth of umami (旨味) to a myriad of dishes.
Primarily produced in the areas of Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県) or Kochi Prefecture (高知県), shaved bonito flakes are often used atop onigiri and okonomiyaki, transforming even the simplest snacks into gourmet delights. More importantly, their rich essence forms the backbone of dashi, the foundational broth that could make or break the best miso soup and ramen base.
Bonito-flavoured snacks are no different, and in this month’s “Sweet Escapes” Omiyage Snack Box, we have one that highlights the wonderful world of katsuobushi. Hailing from the seaside city of Yaizu (焼津市), we spoke to Mr. Tsuji (辻さん) from Shinmarusho Corporation (株式会社新丸正), a company specialising in dried bonito who is our featured maker this February.
Introduction to Shinmarusho, A Bonito-Specialty Company
Thank you for accepting our interview! Please tell us more about your company and brand.
Dating back to 1935, our origins began when our founder, Shosaku Kuno (久野 正作), started a dried bonito shop in Jonokoshi, Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Since then, we have been dedicated to our unique methods of making katsuobushi and dashi soup stock, developing various products till this day.
At present, we are a manufacturer that produces everything bonito-related, from shaved bonito flakes to dashi seasonings, made using fresh frozen bonito caught at our local Yaizu Port. We are able to tailor our katsuobushi-making methods to suit the end product, which allows us to create original products unique to our company.
Suruga Fubuki: A Blast from the Past
There’s no doubt that katsuobushi is a very important ingredient in Japanese cuisine! What would you say is Shinmarusho’s flagship product?
Our flagship product is a variety of shaved dried bonito called “Suruga Fubuki” (駿河ふぶき), created by our founder Kuno-san after much trial and error.
In the past, katsuobushi was shaved at home. Every household had a katsuobushi shaver, and people would shave only the amount they needed for cooking. This was because katsuobushi oxidises and loses its flavour quickly once shaved, making it difficult to distribute pre-shaved bonito.
However, with the advent of technology that allows for nitrogen substitution, manufacturers can now produce pre-shaved bonito. While this has made things more convenient, the shape of the shavings differs from those made at home in the past. To address this, our founder recreated the traditional shaving style, resulting in our flagship product, “Suruga Fubuki”.
Introducing: Dried Bonito Potato Chips (Wasabi Flavour)
That sounds amazing! What about the Dried Bonito Potato Chips (Wasabi Flavour) snack that’s featured in this month’s Omiyage Snack Box?
This February, we are happy to have our Dried Bonito Potato Chips (Wasabi Flavour) (かつお節ポテトチップス わさび味) in JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Omiyage Snack Box.
While there are many types of potato chips out there, only a few focus on the authentic flavour and aroma of dashi.
When we first developed this product, we designed it such that the katsuobushi flakes were mixed in with the potato chips, but the oxidation process diminished the unique aroma of the katsuobushi. Therefore, we provided the bonito flakes in a separate packet. By adding a do-it-yourself element—sprinkling the bonito flakes before eating—one can enjoy the original aroma of bonito flakes.
Additionally, as a collaboration with the long-established wasabi shop Tamaruya Honten (田丸屋本店) in Shizuoka Prefecture, this particular Wasabi Flavor snack is made with domestically-produced wasabi and Hidaka kelp. It has a spiciness that will tingle your tongue, mellowed by the sprinkling of bonito flakes, which leave a subtle dashi after-aroma.
When it comes to shaved dried bonito, there are various shapes—they range from thick to thin, and from large shavings to fine ones. For the potato chips, we use thin and moderately fine shavings that cling well to the chips. The flavours feature katsuobushi made in Yaizu, domestically produced wasabi, and Hidaka kelp.
Pioneering Achievement: Japan’s First Katsuobushi Factory Certified and Authorized for EU Exports
We can’t wait for our customers to try your snack! Are there any special features or facts about your company that you would like to impart to our readers?
In 2017, our company became the first katsuobushi factory in Japan to receive certification as an EU-compliant seafood processing facility. Then in 2019, our factory also became the first in Japan authorised to export to the EU.
Outside of Japan, we have been exporting our products to both the EU and the USA. Moving forward, we aim to create unique products that will delight customers not only in Japan but around the world. We will continue to convey the charm and deliciousness of katsuobushi, a traditional Japanese seasoning, to the rest of the world.
Fun facts about Yaizu City and Shizuoka Prefecture
Congratulations, that sounds like an amazing feat! Could you introduce us to Yaizu City and Shizuoka Prefecture and some of its local attractions?
Yaizu City is renowned as a port town in Shizuoka Prefecture with the highest landing volume of tuna and bonito in Japan, contributing significantly to the country’s fishery culture. With excellent east-west transportation access, Yaizu Port has thrived since the Edo Period.
Today, it serves as a base for deep-sea fishing, primarily for bonito and tuna, and is home to various fisheries and seafood-processing companies like ourselves.
As for Shizuoka Prefecture, it is home to the iconic Mount Fuji (富士山), Japan’s tallest mountain. Shizuoka spans a wide area from east to west, and north to south, and some of the famous sightseeing spots are the nature-rich Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島) and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine (能山東照宮), which enshrines one of the most famous shogun in Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康).
Shizuoka is also known for its production of wasabi, green tea, and of course, katsuobushi. There are many spots where you can enjoy sightseeing, gourmet food made from local specialties, and various activities.
Katauoya, Shinmarusho’s Main Shop
Mount Fuji is a very popular landmark for foreign travellers when it comes to Shizuoka! Where is your shop located?
Our main shop “Katauoya” (堅魚屋) is located in Yaizu City.
Address: 1384-1 Miwa, Yaizu, Shizuoka 425-0064
Access: From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station (1 hour), and then transfer to the Tokaido Main Line local train to Yaizu Station (20 minutes). At Yaizu Station, transfer to the bus and stop at “Otomi Miwa”. Our shop is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
A Message from Shinmarusho
Thank you so much for your time—we have a new-found appreciation for dried bonito! Do you have any parting message to our readers?
Hello to our friends from all over the world! You may not be familiar with katsuobushi, but it is a processed food made by boiling and smoking bonito. It is an essential food on Japanese dining tables, rich in umami, which has garnered attention worldwide.
All of our products are developed to highlight the umami of katsuobushi and dashi, and we hope you will enjoy the sensory experience of this savoury flavour.
This Feburary 2025, JAPAN RAIL CLUB is proud to introduce Shinmarusho’s Dried Bonito Potato Chips (Wasabi Flavour) as part of the exciting snack line-up in our “Sweet Escapes” Omiyage Snack Box! Supported by our friends at the JR Yokohama Branch Office, enjoy tantalising treats from Japan, delivered to your doorstep.
Subscribe today with promo code “LOVE14” to enjoy delicious savings as you embark on your new Omiyage Snack Box subscription journey!
