“Ryukyu” is a local dish in Oita, Japan
Oita prefecture is located on the east of Kyusyu island, in Japan. It faces the Bungo Suido (the channel between Kyushu and Shikoku Islands). Several kinds of fish, such as saba(mackerels) and aji(horse mackerels) are brought to its fishing ports. The meat of these fish is chewy and flavorful because they live in the fast tidal current of the channel.
“Ryukyu” was originally the old name of Okinawa prefecture. This dish is named so, as it is said to have come from Ryukyu to Oita a long time age. Fresh fish meat is sliced, and then put into a mix of soy sauce, sake and sesame. The combination of the flavor of soy sauce, the chewy texture of the flesh, and the sweetness of the sake makes one happy. It is one of the best dishes to have with mugi shochu(Japanese white distilled liquor from buckwheat) which is very popular in the area.
