Besides obscure Japanese candies, exotic produce, and aisles and aisles of Asian sauces, snacks, and other unfamiliars, Uwajimaya is also known for its seafood counter. Though I’m typically not a fan of pre-marinated meats and seafood from groceries, I make an exception for the black cod in the kasuzuke marinade. Also available to buy on its own, it consists of sake, sake kasu (a by-product of the sake-making process) mirin, brown sugar, and miso, and brings a distinctly Asian “umami” flavor, with a sweet note from the brown sugar. They recommend (and I second it) that you scrape off the marinade before broiling (four to five minutes on each side). It browns nicely—even caramelizes—and tastes like something you’d be served in a Japanese restaurant.

600 Fifth Ave. S., 624-6248, seattlestore@uwajimaya.com

Read all of our picks for Food & Drink, and explore the rest of this year’s edition of Best of Seattle.