noun
skipjack tuna; oceanic bonito
A common fish in Japanese cuisine, often used for katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) and tataki.
カツオのたたきは高知県の名物料理です。
Seared skipjack tuna is a specialty of Kochi Prefecture.
カツオから取っただしは味噌汁に合います。
Broth made from skipjack tuna goes well with miso soup.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form.
The kanji 鰹 is a kokuji (Japanese-made character) combining 魚 (fish) and 堅 (hard), referring to the firm flesh of the fish. The reading かつお is of uncertain origin, possibly from 堅魚 (hard fish) or an ancient Japanese word.