Japanese Blowfish

Fugu to you too!

So, Andrew is expecting me to have Fugu (aka Japanese blowfish) while I am out here in Japan. Now I know here's a special technique that must be used to clean these fish, otherwise, the tetrodotoxin in these fish can be, let us say, less than appetizing. So I asked two colleagues about eating it (at separate times) and each one said, "It is perfectly safe. But it is expensive." I'm not sure why, but they each used THE SAME EXACT WORDS. This leads me to believe that eating fugu is not "perfectly safe." One interesting fact (at least I think its a fact. Not that I would do some actual research or something to find out) is that the chefs have to undergo special training to receive certification in Fugu cleaning and cooking. The last step of this certification is that they have to eat fish that they prepare. I can imagine the proud parents showing a picture of their son to neighbors...

Yes, that's my son the Fugu Chef. Shut Up. It is a very demanding profession, if you must know. Not everyone lives through the training process, but the school he went to, well they have a nearly 90% graduation rate! YES, he is still alive. What do you mean, you haven't seen him since he went off to school? Look, let's all go out to eat at his restaurant. I can guarantee that I, umm, I mean we, yes "we" will all enjoy the dinner very much!

As I continued my walk past Tokyo Tower, I spied a Fugu restaurant with a fish tank visible from the sidewalk. I was tempted to walk in, but thoughts of "My son, the Fugu Chef" raced through my head. I shot this picture and moved along ( click the pic for a larger view...).