Eating Toxic Blowfish in Tokyo
Blowfish is one of the most poisonous animals on earth but strangely enough this unique fish can be eaten in Japan. In this episode I am being joined by my courageous friend Isaiah on our first ever blowfish adventure.
- What: Eating toxic blowfish
- Why: Uniquely Japanese and slightly dangerous experience
- Where: 5-6 Kingu Building 1F, Shibuya, Tokyo [Map]
- When: 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5pm - 12am
- Price: minimum ¥3,500 Yen ($32 USD)
- Reserve: Reserve your table at Fugu Fukuji in Tokyo
- Tips: Ask the waiter to provide assistance cooking the fugu
- Related: Experience Real Mario Kart in Tokyo and Robot Restaurant in Tokyo
We chose Torafugutei in Shibuya for our first Fugu experience in Tokyo. It is one of the largest Fugu chains in Tokyo and known for their high quality standards. This fish has many names like Blowfish, Pufferpish and Balloonfish but here in japan it is called Fugu.
Torafugutei is a very cozy restaurant with excellent customer service. We ordered the dishes: Blowfish Sake, Blowfish Salad, Blowfish Sashimi and Blowfish Cooked. Since we are very inexperienced we had to get a staff member of the restaurant to help us cook it because the last thing we want is to kill ourselves accidentally.
There are over 120 different species of Fugu and they contain Tetrodotoxin or TTX for short which is a 1000x times more poisonous than cyanide which was used in suicide pills during world war II strong enough to kill an adult human within a few seconds. TTX is a neurotoxin which means it damages the nervous system and is found in the Fugu's liver, kidneys, eyes, spikes and ovaries. If poisoned, the victim will experience a paralysis of face muscles, followed by nausea and unable to speak until you are completely paralyzed. Death occurs shortly after.
Only chefs who have trained for at least three years can prepare it legally since they have to remove the poisonous organs of the fish. Sadly, many people have still been poisoned and some have even died between 1996 and 2006, 44 Fugu poisoning incidents were recorded in japan but don't let that discourage you, just pick a well recognized restaurant and you'll be fine.
In conclusion, eating blowfish is a very unique experience but definitely an acquired taste so know what you are in for. Make sure to subscribe to my friend Isaiah's channel. Another great alternative for experiencing blowfish is at Fukuji in Tokyo, make sure to reserve your table ahead of time.
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