Kamimachi Ikezawa Honten’s “Tosa no Aka Katsuo”

A rice topping made with bonito simmered in a secret sweet-and-savory sauce. It is available from the Kamimachi Ikezawa Honten online store and at supermarkets, train stations, and airports throughout Kochi Prefecture. More than 80% of its sales are within the prefecture, making it a staple on local dining tables.

Drawing on the discerning eye developed over more than 150 years in business, this long-established fish market uses fresh bonito suitable for sashimi. The bonito is slowly simmered to absorb the savory sauce, then finished with garlic oil and ichimi chili pepper. The perfectly balanced flavor of “Tosa no Aka Katsuo” pairs irresistibly with steaming rice. Beyond serving it over rice, it complements a wide range of dishes, including pizza, pasta, and chilled tofu, adding an extra kick to familiar flavors.

Three varieties are available: robust Garlic, refreshing Yuzu, and Aosanori made with green laver from the Shimanto River. The deluxe “Tosa no Gochiso Aka Katsuo,” packed with ingredients such as ginger, shiso leaves, and dried young sardines, is also popular.