Katsuobushi are fermented, dried and smoked Japanese tuna flakes; the first time I tried these I noticed they were lighter than air yet heavily packed with turbocharged umami!!
They have a beautiful, deep flavour that’s nowhere near as fishy as you might expect - like a delicate cross between salty anchovies and the Smiths Bacon Fries crisps I get at the pub.
Blows my mind every time when sprinkling these flakes over hot food - they DANCE with the heat!!! Keep an eye out for them at your local Oriental grocery (or online, obvs).
