shishamo smelt
A small saltwater fish (Spirinchus lanceolatus) eaten grilled whole, especially in Hokkaido. The Japanese name derives from Ainu susam.
from Ainu susam
I ordered shishamo at the izakaya.
北海道のししゃもは脂がのっていて美味しい。
Hokkaido shishamo is rich in fat and delicious.
Katakana spelling is common in menus and product packaging.
Rare kanji form; the word is almost always written in kana.
From Ainu susam, referring to the fish. The kanji 柳葉魚 (literally 'willow-leaf fish') is a rare ateji based on the fish's appearance.