Canned mackerel is always handy to have on hand at home. This time, I'd like to introduce you to "Saba Harissa," a canned mackerel with a slightly stimulating exotic flavor.

Saba Harissa

This is a product sold by the canned food brand "Stone Rolls", which is manufactured at a factory near Ishinomaki Fishing Port in Miyagi Prefecture. It is a canned mackerel with chickpeas and a sauce made in the Mediterranean with chili peppers and spices. The price at convenience stores is 278 yen (tax not included).


The ingredients include sauteed onions, paprika puree, grated garlic, chili peppers, cumin, paprika chips, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, coriander, and ground sesame. When you open the lid, the mackerel covered in bright red sauce appears.


The first bite was milder than I had imagined from the appearance. The richness of the mackerel and the aroma of multiple spices combine to create a deep flavor. The aftertaste has a slight spiciness to it. Just the right amount of spicy and addictive!


The mackerel meat is big and chewy. The meat is soft and can be easily loosened with chopsticks, and the more you bite into it, the more it spreads its flavor in your mouth. The amount of chickpeas is not very large, but the crunchy texture is a nice accent.


Since it has a strong flavor, it is recommended to eat it with rice or salad rather than by itself. It would also be delicious if you soak the leftover juice from the can in a baguette or use the juice in a vegetable stir-fry.