Shishamo | |
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Edible grilled shishamo | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Osmeriformes |
Family: | Osmeridae |
Genus: | Spirinchus |
Species: | S. lanceolatus |
Binomial name | |
Spirinchus lanceolatus (Hikita, 1913) |
Shishamo (, literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is a saltwater fish (smelt) about 15 centimeters in length. It is slim and resembles a willow leaf; the Japanese name, shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters (jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word). It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.
In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.