Green Onion Shoots (Menegi) 新鮮日本芽葱

芽ネギ (静岡県産)

Menegi are very thin onions with a diameter of only a few millimeters, but are 6-10 cm long, harvested right after the onions have started to sprout. The shoots are bundled and prepared on sushi rice, then held in place with a seaweed belt. It is an excellent palate cleanser after eating fatty sushi toppings. As a condiment, it can also completely change the perception of the umami of fish, just by adding a few sprigs on top.  It also goes will with miso soup.  The word is that long ago it was a common dish at all sushi restaurants, but there are very few sushi restaurants that prepare it these days.

芽葱比一般的葱細小，有一種淡淡的葱甜味，主要拿來搭配生魚片（刺身）,它與清淡的白身魚或青魚類，像鯛、河豚、鯵、鱈等都很搭配。日本人將這種細細小小的迷你葱夾在生魚片中，魚包葱，一口送入嘴中，絕品美味。這個超迷你小葱，因為纖細價高，一般家庭不常吃，只有在高級日本料亭和餐廳才偶爾出現。