Saba Sandwich (Fried mackerel sandwich)
Born in Turkey and reimagined in Kashiwazaki, Niigata.

About Saba Sandwich (Fried mackerel sandwich)

Saba Sandwich is a local specialty of Kashiwazaki, Niigata. It is an adaptation of a Turkish dish, created to suit Japanese tastes. Its story began in 1997, when members of the Kashiwazaki Turkey Friendship Association were impressed by the mackerel sandwiches they tried on a trip to Turkey. After returning home, they served the mackerel deep-fried, and the sandwich gradually became popular locally.

In Turkey, the mackerel sandwich known as balık ekmek is associated with Istanbul’s Eminönü district. It is traditionally made with grilled mackerel in bread and served with onions and lettuce. In Kashiwazaki, the dish evolved into a local style featuring deep-fried mackerel.

The Kashiwazaki version features crisp-fried, fatty North Atlantic mackerel in a chewy specialty roll, accompanied by crunchy sliced onion and lettuce. It is simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to bring out the fish’s flavor. The source also notes that mackerel contains protein and the unsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA.

You can try Saba Sandwich at locations in Kashiwazaki, including Japan Sea Fisherman’s Cape and the Yoneyama Service Area on the Hokuriku Expressway. If you visit, be sure to sample this local favorite, born in Turkey and raised in Kashiwazaki.

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