Shako – [Sushi|Foodlore]

Description

Shako – (Squilla, Mantis Shrimp.) – Katakana シャコ, Hiragana: しゃこ, Kanji:蝦蛄

• About: A pale, slightly pearlescent variety of mantis shrimp, native to Japan’s waters. When boiled, unlike the other kinds of shrimp this one flesh turns a unique dark purple-brown & has a meaty, umami flavor. – it’s a bit of a rare find at most sushi bars; (sadly I haven’t been able to try it myself living in vancouver.) But most of the gourmand books which I’ve read about this one in call it “grotesque in appearance” but also say that it has “A delicious, unique taste, somewhere between crab and shrimp.” (make up your minds!) Further research says that Shako have been eaten since the Edo period, but much more often as a topping in Donburi! (Steamed Rice Bowls!) Apparently the females are tastier & their roe (called Katsubumi) is prized for its taste. – So: Shako is indeed a bit of a more recent addition to the Nigiri menu. – Recently, Japanese mantis shrimp have been discovered in the bays of New Zealand: as an invasive species, where they have been nicknamed as “Thumb Splitters!” Generally speaking, Mantis shrimp can punch with the power of a 22 caliber bullet!! Supposedly they strike so quickly that their punches broil the water! (I wonder if anyone has thought of cooking them like that yet.) Sadly there’s not much to say about this one’s folklore, at least which I could find.

[Sticker art by @Samkalensky, Part of my Nigiri Sushi/Foodlore collections.]