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I had a prejudice against 'imperfect' goods. Once I tried them, that prejudice vanished.

2026年7月5日 20:32

I'll be honest.

I've always disliked the term 'imperfect' (wake-ari).

I had this vague image of them being 'low quality,' 'leftovers,' or 'a bit sketchy.' Even though I'm budget-conscious, I always avoided 'imperfect' food items.

When my wife told me, 'They're selling imperfect mackerel cheaply on Rakuten,' I initially gave a non-committal 'Hmm.'

'Freshness is key for fish,' 'The kids are eating it too,' 'There must be a reason it's cheap'—that's what I was thinking.

But my wife insisted, 'Let's just try it once,' so we bought it.

We ate it for dinner the day it arrived. The kids ate in silence. My oldest, who usually leaves fish behind, asked for seconds.

My wife said this:

'Doesn't this taste better than regular mackerel?'

I had been thinking the same thing.

That was the first time I properly looked into what 'imperfect' actually meant.

What is 'imperfect' about boneless mackerel? The shape is broken. The cuts are uneven. The size is non-standard—.

The taste is the same as the standard product.

There are 'visual standards' for products to be lined up in supermarkets. It's just that they don't meet those standards, but the quality remains unchanged. In fact, since the bones are removed, it's easier to feed to children.

Moreover, the price is30-40% cheaperthan the standard product.

Our family eats fish 4-5 times a month.

Previously, I used to buy mackerel fillets at the supermarket. Two pieces cost about 350-450 yen. For a family of four, we needed two packs, costing about 700-900 yen per dinner.

After switching to buying bulk 'imperfect' boneless mackerel on Rakuten,the cost per meal became about 280-350 yen.

Calculating for 5 meals a month—

A difference of about 29,000 yen per year.

Just by changing how I buy, without changing how often I eat mackerel, this much changes.

However, not all 'imperfect' products are good.

If you choose incorrectly, you might end up with something of truly low quality.

In the paid section, I have summarized how to correctly choose imperfect boneless mackerel on Rakuten, how to buy without failure, and recipes my family has actually tried.

I want people who think, 'I'm curious about imperfect food, but I can't take the first step,' to read this.

From here on is paid content (¥100)

Imperfect boneless mackerel: How to choose and use without failure

1. Know the types of 'imperfect' goods

There are roughly three types of imperfect goods. Always check before buying.

Misshapen or non-standard items have the same taste and nutrition as standard products. If you just remember this, you can safely buy most imperfect products.

2. How to choose on Rakuten: 4 check points

Check 1: Are there 100 or more reviews?

The higher the number of reviews, the more evidence there is that the quality is stable. Products with few reviews can be hit or miss.

Check 2: Is the origin clearly stated?

Choose shops that clearly state the origin, such as Norway, Iceland, or domestic. Avoid imperfect products with unknown origins.

Check 3: Does it arrive frozen?

Boneless mackerel is generally distributed frozen. Choose products that state they are 'delivered via frozen shipping.' If it is refrigerated shipping, you need to be careful about freshness.

Check 4: Calculate the unit price from the content weight and price

Even if it looks like a 'good deal,' it might be expensive when you calculate the unit price. Comparing by price per gram is the correct way.

Benchmark: 100 to 130 yen or less per 100g is a good value. Anything higher requires consideration.

3. What to do as soon as it arrives

When your bulk-purchased boneless mackerel arrives, portion it out and freeze it on the same day.

Our procedure:

Open the delivered bag and wrap each serving (2-3 pieces) in plastic wrap
Put them in a freezer bag and remove the air
Put it in the freezer. The storage period is about 1-2 months

If you finish this procedure in 15 minutes, all that is left is to take it out when you want to eat it.

4. Three recipes my family actually makes

Because boneless mackerel has no bones, it has a wide range of culinary uses. The fact that it is easy for children to eat is also a major advantage.

🥇 Classic: Mackerel simmered in miso

Even if the shape is broken, it doesn't matter once it's simmered. This is the dish that goes best with 'imperfect' products.

Thawed mackerel, miso, sugar, mirin, sake, ginger
Just simmer in the sauce. Done in 15 minutes
The menu my children eat the most

🥈 Easy: Mackerel Tatsuta-age (deep-fried)

The broken shapes actually make them 'bite-sized' and easy to eat. They are also great for kids' lunch boxes.

Thaw -> pat dry -> marinate in soy sauce and ginger for 10 minutes -> coat with potato starch and fry
The coating is crispy, and even my kids who dislike fish ate it

🥉 Time-saver: Salt-grilled mackerel + grated daikon radish

This is for days when simple is best. Just thaw and grill. Since it's boneless, I can serve it to my kids with peace of mind.

5. The best way to buy on Rakuten

Buy 2-3 packs in bulk during the Shopping Marathon

Since mackerel can be frozen, buying in bulk during the marathon is the right move. If you buy 2-3 items that are around 1kg per pack, you can secure a 2-3 month supply of mackerel.

Use points for your next fish purchase

Dedicate your Rakuten points to 'fish and food expenses.' Since you get hundreds of points back each time, it effectively becomes even cheaper.

Summary: 'Imperfect' goods were the gateway to saving money

I had a prejudice against the term 'imperfect' (wake-ari).

But in reality, most of these products are the same inside, just not meeting visual standards.

It also helps reduce food waste. It's cheap even with shipping included. It's boneless, making it easy for kids to eat. Buying in bulk also reduces hassle.

Two years into saving money, I feel like I've finally arrived at the right answer for 'imperfect' goods.

I want to tell the 'me' who kept buying regular-priced items while holding onto that prejudice.

'Imperfect' mackerel was the much better choice all along.

KENTA who saves too much / 36 years old, father of two, local company employee. Currently paying off a home loan + car loan. Thinking about life beyond saving money, albeit a bit late.