Shishamo

Shishamo
Edible grilled shishamo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Osmeriformes
Family:	Osmeridae
Genus:	Spirinchus
Species:	S. lanceolatus
Binomial name
Spirinchus lanceolatus (Hikita, 1913)

Shishamo (, literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is a saltwater fish (smelt) about 15 centimeters in length. It is slim and resembles a willow leaf; the Japanese name, shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters (jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word). It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.

In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.

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