We survived fugu (blowfish)!

We survived eating blowfish (or fugu in Japanese)!  (sorry Mom!)  Apparently, only the female ovaries are poisonous but the male testicles look very similar and any puncture of the ovaries releases the poison so fugu chefs are carefully licensed in Japan.  In 2007, there were about 50 cases of fugu poisoning – only about 10 of those died – and most of those people had become sick from preparing the fish themselves or had eaten at an unlicensed restaurant.  Needless to say, I got a recommendation from my Japanese boss for a reputable fugu place.  He recommended Tentake, a seemingly old restaurant specializing in fugu right across from the Tsukiji Fish Market.

 The four of us had 2 fugu set courses and 2 crab set courses.  These were multi-course affairs culminating in a fugu and crab hot pot to which was added rice and egg to finish off the broth.  To me, fugu was sort of like monkfish.  It was a very meaty, white fish.  The very thinly sliced fugu sashimi was still a little chewy because of the meaty texture of the fish.  The crab courses were delish as well…I don’t think I’ve ever had such fresh crab.  It was so tender. 

So now that we’ve survived, we probably won’t be pushing our luck anymore.  So if you want to visit and have fugu, we’ll give you the directions to the restaurant and send you on your merry way.