JAPANESE FOOD

Daniel Raisu
vs.
raw horse meat,
raw whale meat
and
eating live fish

The choice is yours

February 2, 2000
"Japanese Food"

It doesn't take a genius to recognize that a majority of the people reading this page are foreigners who either live in Japan or have lived in Japan.  Thus, I imagine that we have some kind of common understanding as to the pure naivete regarding us gaijin being able to eat Japanese food.  Can you eat natto?  Can you eat raw fish?  The questions are usually posed in such a fashion that they assume that a majority of us go into convulsions upon the entry into our oral cavities.  Well, this show goes to the extremes, to pick out the foods that come closest.

Sushi
Look, I've been eating sushi since I was a child.  It is very popular in my native New York and the variety is tremendous.  I understand how people from foreign countries could be opposed to eating uncooked foods, but Japanese people manage to do it safely.  I have so much trust in these Japanese chefs that I have even had chicken sashimi (yes, that would be raw chicken).  Tastes just like tuna!  My recommendation to those averse to sushi would be to slap on wasabi, and a lot of it.  That magical green stuff does the trick.

Natto
It took me about three years of periodically "challenging" myself, but I finally came to the conclusion that there are worse foods on earth.  Health buffs take note, because it is very high in protein and other nutrients.  Just that smell...but there is help.  Soy sauce, onions, anything.  Throw as much as you can in there and it should do the trick. 

OK, let's get into the more rediculous realm...

Horse Sushi
Known as bazashi, this is the raw version of those ponies I used to ride in amusement parks when younger.  Not that I'm politically opposed or anything (but my mother wants to kill me for eating it), but the taste is horrible.  First off, it is impossible to chew the darn stuff.  Just like rubber.  The sushi chefs usually sprinkle some onions and ginger on top, a signal that the meat can't survive on it's own.  Just say no.

Whale sushi
OK, time to get political.  An animal at risk of extinction, and you're going to kill at will for the sake of an occasional mealtime treat.  Not like there aren't millions of other fish in the Bay of Japan.  One of the best aspects of Japanese cuisine is the fine attention paid to detail and an extreme fussiness about the quality of ingredients.  I'll acknowledge that as an extreme positive.  But there are limits.  We don't go eating bald eagles in the U.S., because we know that their existence is in danger.  Some reports state that whales are making a comeback and many no longer be in threat of extinction, but there are more contrasting reports.  I say that it is not much of a sacrifice to leave them alone.

Ikizukuri (eating of live fish)
I've been in Japan for almost five years, but this is one culinary tradition that I will never like and will always be opposed to.  I think raw fish tastes good, as I have already mentioned.  But live fish?  Maybe it's just me, but I don't like to peer into the eyes of the animal whose insides I am about to consume.  Does that make me a stereotypical American?  Well, I'll take that hit if necessary, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.  I think the whole practice is unethical.  We are higher on the food chain and we will eat fish.  That's fine, just kill the fish first!  Going to extremes, but I  imagine aliens coming from Mars and doing the same thing to us.  Ooooh, the horror. 

If you take a look at other countries and religions, people often give thanks to their God in respect of the life of the animal they are to consume.  There is no religious consciousness in Japan and there is certainly no respect for animals.  Just take a look at people who take their animals for a walk in the front basket of their bike!  Or better yet, on a bicycle dragging the dog along by a leash (God forbid he/she should want to take a leak!). 

I am completely opposed to ikizukuri and refuse to eat it.  I encourage other foreigners to be opposed to this practice.

But for a real good meal, get your lips around Daniel Raisu, the only dish that I could ever care to make.  Don't worry, the chicken is cooked.