Don Qi Finds

After my initial burst of enthusiasm, one of my partners took me for a shopping spree at a Japanese grocery store. I hadn't thought of it, but a friend recommended that I check the canned food aisles for tinned fish. And Don Quijote had quite the selection. I purchased a variety of Japanese tinned fish and also a microwavable pouch. Not something I had known about prior to this shopping trip, but something I am curious to try.


So far, I have been pleased by the Roland Rolled Fillets of Anchovies with Capers in Olive Oil. Those I ate in a salad of spinach, carrots, and feta with a honey vinaigrette salad dressing. The Jonetz Canned Sardines in Miso also impressed. Finally, I had as snacks on a couple separate but close occasions the Ortiz White Tuna in Olive Oil as well as the White Tuna in Organic Olive Oil, just to have a sort of side-by-side comparison of the difference the organic olive oil would make.

The Verdict:

Roland Rolled Fillets of Anchovies with Capers in Olive Oil: A-

The flavor was extremely salty, and initially the texture reminded me of bacon. Overtime, my taste buds may have become overwhelmed and I could no longer differentiate between the anchovies wrapped around little capers and the feta cheese in my salad. The visual appearance of each little anchovy around a single caper was quite beautiful in the can. I used some of the olive oil to enhance my salad dressing, but it didn't impart much flavor. I will happily indulge in these again, especially at the price. Great value, and apparently a great alternative to feta for the lactose intolerant.

Jonetz Canned Sardines in Miso: B

I think sardines are just not that attractive to look at. But the texture was moist and delicate without being mushy or slimy. The flavor of miso and ginger was intense but delicious and I found myself wishing I had heated the sardines with some rice or some tofu. Plans for next time. Looking forward to my other Japanese brands of tinned fish.

Ortiz White Tuna in Olive Oil: C-

The texture wasn't quite mushy. Maybe the best descriptor would be the strange and fine line between dry fish and paste? I did not particularly enjoy this can, but I did not hate it either. The olive oil was viscous but fairly neutral in flavor. The fish itself was salty, so I didn't bother seasoning it. I doubt I would purchase this brand again.

Ortiz White Tuna in Organic Olive Oil: C-

Basically the same experience, but the olive oil had a more yellow-chartreuse hue. Not my favorite. There are cheaper cans of tuna for similar or better quality. I'd go for Chicken of the Sea before this brand. No photo of this one. It looks about the same, but for the minor difference in olive oil hue.

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