Japanese Name: 鮃【Hirame】 English Name: Flatfish / Lefteye Flounder

: The habitat of flatfish can be quite wide. They tend to inhabit in shallow and sandy seabeds. However, they are pretty aggressive, carnivorous fish. They prey on small crabs and shrimps when they are young, and big fish such as mackerels, sardines, and squids when they mature. Their flat physique is to hide and to pray in the sand. There is a Japanese saying “left for flatfish, and right for flounders,” but this indicates that most of their main organs are located on the left side of their bodies. There is also an interesting folk tale around this fish; once upon a time, a fisherman was filleting the fish he had caught. Once he had filleted one side of it, the fish escaped and dived into the sea, becoming a flatfish. This is an example of their vital force.

: Flatfish and other white-meat fish are rich in protein and potassium. Proteins are essential for our bodies, as much as potassium that functions as a sodium-balancer. They are also rich in niacin, effective for headaches or poor circulation, as well as vitamin B2s which help preventing aging. Engawa, the muscles which move the fins, include DHAs which activate the brain, and EPAs which clean the blood. Engawa is one of the most precious sushi ingredient, as very little quantity can be taken from each of them.