Tataki

Two methods of preparing fish or meat in Japanese cuisine are called tataki or tosa-mi. In Japanese, tataki (たたき) means "pounded" or "hit into pieces".[1]

Skipjack tuna tataki (カツオのたたき, katsuo no tataki).

Cooked food

In the first "tataki" method, the meat or fish is seared very briefly over a hot flame or in a pan, and can be briefly marinated in vinegar, sliced thin, and seasoned with ginger (which is ground or pounded into a paste, hence the name).[1] Food so prepared can also be served with soy sauce and garnishes like a sashimi.

The method originated in Tosa Province, now part of Kōchi Prefecture, where it was applied to bonito (katsuo-no-tataki).[2] Lore has it that it was developed by Sakamoto Ryōma, a 19th century rebel samurai, who picked up the European technique of grilling meat from the foreigners resident in Nagasaki.[1]

Uncooked food

In the second "tataki" method, it is the food that is "hit into pieces". Fish such as tuna or horse mackerel are chopped and mixed with garnishes such as garlic, ginger, green onions or shiso leaves. Soy sauce may be poured over the chopped mixture before consumption.

References

1. Dave Lowry (2005). The Connoisseur's Guide to Sushi: Everything You Need to Know about Sushi. Harvard Common Press. p. 123. ISBN 1-55832-307-4.
2. Lafferty, Jefferey (2020-10-16). "Japan's delicious fire-seared delicacy". BBC.