🍲 Genge no Misoshiru (Genge Miso soup)

Miso soup made with genge, a long and slender deep-sea fish about 20 cm long that is white and transparent and has its entire body covered with thick gelatinous material, is a dish that was eaten only in the homes of fishing villages. Firefly squid, white shrimp, yellowtail, and crabs are well-known as representative fish of Toyama, but in recent years, this genge has been attracting attention. Until about 30 years ago, it was considered a lowly fish because of its grotesque appearance. In the past few years, however, it has gradually become popular due to its rich collagen and tasty flesh. Because of its high water content, the fish deteriorates quickly and soon develops a fishy smell, so it has traditionally been consumed only in fishing villages. Genge has come to be consumed in a variety of ways, including miso soup, which is filled with the umami taste of genge that had previously been eaten only in limited areas. Since there is no specialized fishery for this type of fish, it is now labeled as "genge," a fantastic almost mythic-like fish that can rarely be encountered.