Chinmi: Maguro Cellophane Tuna Otsumami Snack

The other day when I went shopping at a supermarket, I found a chinmi or food delicacy called “Maguro Cello (マグロセロ)” that I liked as a kid.

“Chinmi (珍味)”, literally meaning “rare taste”, is the Japanese word for “delicacies”.

And the snack I often ate with my father when he was drinking beer is also an Otsumami eaten with alcoholic beverages.

Maguro Cello (マグロセロ)

“Maguro Cello (マグロセロ)” is short for Maguro Cellophane or Tuna Cellophane.

It is a classic Otsumami that has been around since a long time ago and has been a favorite of drinkers in Japan.

The snack is now produced by a number of companies, and this one is from Kaneishi Foods, priced at 298 yen (about 2.6 USD).

Usually, the tuna delicacies are individually wrapped in silver or golden foil, which acted as an enticement to me. 

Additionally, the snack is bite-sized, so I could nibble it when I was a little hungry.

At first glance, these things made from tuna look like cat food. In fact, they are something like tender tuna flakes packed together into a square block.

They are seasoned with sweet soy sauce and taste like Okaka Furikake. 

Now, I think the snacks in the silver and golden wrappers are the same things.

But when I was small, the different colors cast a spell on me and made me feel they tasted different.

Ingredients and Nutrition Facts