---
title: Gurukun, the prefectural fish
url: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/notes/gurukun-the-prefectural-fish/
lang: en
journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/okinawa-kominka/
---

# Gurukun, the prefectural fish

A little of each town’s story　/　Motobu, Okinawa

Gurukun is the Okinawan name for the double-lined fusilier, called takasago in standard Japanese. It was named Okinawa's prefectural fish on May 15, 1972. The fish is caught with large drive-in nets known as agiyaa, and was once used as bait for pole-and-line skipjack fishing. On the table it turns a vivid red, and deep-fried it can be eaten from head to tail.

## This moment in the journey: Fried gurukun at a local diner

For lunch I went to a local diner for a typically Okinawan set meal. First, umibudo sea grapes, with a bottle of Orion to pour alongside. I picked the crunchy little beads out of the bowl with my chopsticks.

From the chalkboard menu I chose fried gurukun, Okinawa's prefectural fish. Sashimi on a bed of ice and mozuku seaweed tempura came with it. The gurukun was fried crisp and delicious from head to tail, and the mozuku tempura was superb too.

![Fried gurukun on the set-meal plate](https://karigurashijourney.com/img/okinawa-kominka/s55-1200.jpg)
- Sources: https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/shigoto/suisangyo/1011078/1022282/1011091.html

Read this scene in the full journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/okinawa-kominka/