/ Osaka Food / English
What Is Eihire? The Grilled Dried Ray Fin Snack at Yakitori Restaurants, How to Eat It with Shichimi Mayo, and What to Check Before Ordering
Starting from a photo of eihire that Yakitori Senkichi published on Google, this guide explains what eihire (dried ray fin) is, why it is lightly grilled before serving, how to eat it with mayonnaise and shichimi chili pepper, what to ask if you prefer no spice, and what to check before ordering, such as seafood allergies and whether it is on the menu.
Written by Koetsu Co., Ltd.
Among the snacks listed alongside skewers on yakitori and izakaya menus, eihire is a familiar one. Even people who know the name may hesitate to order it because they are not sure what it is or how to eat it.
Using a photo of eihire that Yakitori Senkichi published on Google as a starting point, this guide covers what eihire is, why it is grilled before serving, how to eat it with mayonnaise and shichimi as in the photo, and what is worth checking before you order.
What eihire is: a snack made from dried ray fin
As the name suggests, eihire is made from the fin (hire) of a ray (ei). At izakaya it is usually a dried product that is lightly toasted or flame-grilled just before serving. Rays are cartilaginous fish, related to sharks, and their fins have fine parallel ridges.
Some packaged eihire is seasoned with salt, sugar or other seasonings before drying. The species of ray, the place of origin and the seasoning vary from product to product, and you can see them in the ingredient list on the package. This guide has not confirmed which product a restaurant uses.
Looking at the eihire in the photo
The photo below is one Yakitori Senkichi published on Google, shown without editing. A pile of eihire torn into long strips, with charred edges here and there, sits on a blue-grey plate. On the left is a dab of mayonnaise sprinkled with shichimi chili pepper.
A photo, however, only shows what the dish looks like. This guide has not confirmed when the photo was taken, whether the dish is still on the menu, or its price and portion size. Eihire was not listed in the menu section of Yakitori Senkichi's official website when checked on October 22, 2026. If you want to try it, please ask when you visit or by phone.
Why it is grilled before serving
Dried eihire is tough as it is, so it is usually toasted lightly in an oven toaster or frying pan or over an open flame before eating. Home recipes also describe toasting it on foil in a toaster oven until it browns.
Grilling gives the surface a toasty aroma, softens the flesh a little and makes it easier to tear into thin strips. The charred spots visible on the eihire in the photo were most likely made during grilling. The edges can be hot right after grilling, so touch a piece lightly with your fingertips first to check the temperature.
How to eat it with shichimi mayo
Serving grilled eihire with shichimi mayo, a mix of mayonnaise and shichimi chili pepper, is a classic pairing. Dip the tip of a thin strip in a little mayonnaise and chew it well. The flavor comes out the more you chew, which is why many people nibble on it slowly with beer, a highball or sake.
Putting a large piece in your mouth all at once can make it hard to bite through. Tearing it into thin strips along the grain by hand makes it easier to eat. When the plate is shared, use serving chopsticks or move pieces to your own small plate before tearing them, so everyone can enjoy it comfortably.
If you do not like spicy food, you can eat it with plain mayonnaise without shichimi, or with a little soy sauce mixed into the mayonnaise. When ordering at a restaurant, you could ask, "Could you serve the shichimi on the side?" Whether this is possible depends on the restaurant.
What to check before ordering
- Availability: the photo was published in the past, so ask the restaurant whether it is still served
- Allergies: eihire is seafood. If you have concerns, ask the staff, including about the seasoning and the mayonnaise (egg)
- Spice: whether the shichimi can be served on the side or left out
- Portion and sharing: telling the staff how many people are sharing makes it easier to decide how much to order
Yakitori Senkichi is a yakitori restaurant in Minamikyuhoji, Osaka, and its official website lists skewers and drinks. Feel free to ask when booking or visiting about anything you are curious about, including whether there are small dishes like eihire to nibble on while your skewers are grilling.
