bonito

[ buh-nee-toh ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) bo·ni·to, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) bo·ni·tos.

1. any mackerel-like fish of the genus Sarda, as S. sarda, of the Atlantic Ocean.
2. any of several related species, as the skipjack, Euthynnus pelamis.

bonito

/ bəˈniːtəʊ /

noun

1. any of various small tunny-like marine food fishes of the genus Sarda , of warm Atlantic and Pacific waters: family Scombridae (tunnies and mackerels)
2. any of various similar or related fishes, such as Katsuwonus pelamis ( oceanic bonito ), the flesh of which is dried and flaked and used in Japanese cookery

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonito¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Spanish: literally, “pretty,” equivalent to bueno “good” + -ito diminutive suffix, or from Arabic bainīth

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonito¹

C16: from Spanish bonito , from Latin bonus good

Example Sentences

In most instances, kombu is used to flavor a broth or stock, or in certain cases, cooked with bonito flakes to make dashi, the fundamental, classic Japanese broth that is the base of countless recipes.

From Salon

Unlike pasta or curry, ramen is difficult to replicate at home, he said, Making it from scratch involves hours of cooking stock, with pork, beef or chicken, various fish or bonito flakes, and “kombu” kelp.

From Seattle Times

Moreover, they also tested a new culture medium based on bonito stock, a soup stock extracted from Katsuobushi, a traditional Japanese dish made from smoked bonito fish.

From Science Daily

Volunteers toss big steel hooks baited with bloody chunks of bonito fish overboard, and heavy concrete anchors pull the bait to the sea floor, where it will hopefully attract some of the region’s largest sharks.

From Scientific American

When she was a veterinary student, she got cats with no appetite to eat by sprinkling their food with dried flakes of bonito—a common umami ingredient in Japan and a close relative of tuna.

From Science Magazine