FUGU – The most exotic and venomous food in Japan – Updated 2024
Good morning, curious traveler! Today, in this post, we want to share with you one of our most daring and extreme culinary experiences from one of our trips.
We’re talking about the puffer fish, also known as FUGU, which is the most exotic food in Japan and undoubtedly the most poisonous.
We were travelling through the land of the rising sun for almost a month, and during this time, we got to taste many dishes from typical Japanese cuisine. Furthermore, we ate not just sushi and raw fish, but also delicacies considered among the most exotic foods in the world.
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Among these preparations and incredible dishes is Fugu, a very peculiar fish – one could almost say it’s beautiful. As we mentioned before, it’s not only one of the most exotic dishes in Japan but also the most extreme and poisonous.
If the fish hasn’t been cleaned and expertly cut by trained hands, it could kill you within minutes. You’d become a living part of the last supper – your own.
We took the risk, and if we are re here writing about this strange and exotic Japanese food, it means everything turned out well, ahah. In this post, we’ve provided all the information about this fish and our experience.
FUGU = Pufferfish – Exotic food in Japan
You might be familiar with the term or the animal “pufferfish” but the Japanese word “Fugu” isn’t well-known to many, even though it refers to the same creature.
In this post, we’ll be using the word “Fugu” instead of “pufferfish” or other designations, for the sake of convenience. This is also to ensure you understand that we’re discussing one of Japan’s most exotic dishes and undoubtedly the most poisonous.
This peculiar fish belongs to the Tetraodontiformes family, which includes over 100 species that are quite similar to each other.
Generally, they inhabit temperate waters, usually tending towards tropical regions, although recently, they’ve been found in other seas as well, but never in cold waters or polar regions.
Fugu is primarily known for three things:
- It puffs up like a ball when it needs to defend itself or when it’s scared.
- This fish is considered a true delicacy in Japan, Korea, and certain parts of China.
- It contains tetrodotoxin in its organs and skin, which is why it’s considered one of the most venomous animals in the world.
So, just how poisonous is the puffer fish?
We’ll answer that below.
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How venomous Fugu is? – Exotic food in Japan
In the previous part, we talked about what Fugu (pufferfish) is and we provided some additional information about one of the most exotic Japanese dishes in their cuisine. Nonetheless, now we come to the most intriguing part: understanding just how poisonous this fish is and, above all, how deadly it can be to consume.
In the ranking of the most venomous fish on the planet, the pufferfish is positioned just behind the stonefish, quite an achievement for this chubby fish that seems almost friendly.
The difference between these fish lies in the fact that if you step on a stonefish and the wound is treated promptly, survival is possible. If you eat incorrectly prepared fugu, there’s nothing more that can be done.
Imagine that its skin, blood, liver, and a few other organs contain tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxic poison that is a thousand times stronger than cyanide—yes, you read that correctly, “cyanide”—an actual hand grenade, or better yet, fish.
In short, fugu is not just the most exotic Japanese food and the most poisonous; it’s a true game of Russian roulette.
We want to clarify that even though there are many species of this animal, all of which are poisonous, not all of them contain the same amount of poison. The most venomous species, and coincidentally the most prized, is called torafugu or simply tiger pufferfish. As you can imagine, it’s also the one we’ve tried; we’re the “all or nothing” type.
How is tetrodotoxin removed from the fish to make it edible?
To make fugu consumable, it must be handled by qualified chefs who obtain a specific professional certification after three years of study and practice—quite a lot of practice.
These studies involve various theoretical and practical exams, and knowing the character of the Japanese, they must be quite rigorous. For instance, in the various exams, students must taste the same pufferfish they have cleaned with their hands.
While it’s true that fugu is considered a delicacy in Japan and there are many restaurants where you can enjoy it, this exotic Japanese dish is prohibited for a certain segment of the Japanese population. Specifically, the Japanese Imperial Family is absolutely forbidden from consuming this fish, and you can probably imagine why.
Our Adventure with Fugu – Exotic food in Japan
As we embarked on our journey to Japan, we knew that trying Fugu, the most exotic and venomous food in Japan, had to be an essential part of our culinary exploration. If you’ve been following our blog, you’re familiar with our inclination for food—we eat everything and never turn down any new culinary experience. To many, we might seem daring and perhaps a bit crazy, yet we’re always eager to discover new exotic offerings and unique dishes from around the world.
When we finally had the chance to try Fugu in Japan, it was clear to us that it wasn’t just about tasting the most exotic fish in Japanese cuisine or savoring the fish itself. What compelled us to try this fish was its potential lethality, as well as the entire Japanese-style ceremony and tasting experience that made the whole adventure unforgettable.
You might call us crazy or reckless, but the thrill of consuming something that could potentially be lethal added a distinctive energy to this unforgettable moment.
For us, the love of trying anything, anywhere, whether it’s truly edible or even legally permissible, is at the heart of our adventurous spirit.
Having traveled extensively and tasted a wide array of unusual foods, we’re now contemplating dedicating a special section on our blog exclusively to extravagant and bizarre foods, designed for those with a hearty appetite and an adventurous palate.
What are your thoughts on this idea?
We hope you’ll like it because you’ll soon see more posts like this one, covering everything from insects to… Oops, apologies; we would rather not give away all the secrets just yet.
How to Travel Safely and More Peacefully Anywhere in the World?
Many people wonder if we have concerns about traveling without firm plans, trying local cuisine, and occasionally indulging in some of the world’s most exotic foods. And our unequivocal answer is always the same—NO.
Yes, we might sound a little unconventional, but even though it might not seem like it, we do have a sense of responsibility. We always make sure to have comprehensive travel insurance. In our case, we place our trust in Truetraveller.
Their insurance plans are tailored, with various options available, making them perfect for those who are eager to explore the world with their backs covered. While our travels have been relatively trouble-free so far, with only a few minor bumps that were easily resolved, having robust insurance coverage adds an extra layer of peace of mind to our global adventures.
Now, circling back to the topic of Fugu, we had the privilege of indulging in this delicacy in one of the most beautiful cities in all of Japan—Kyoto. Renowned for its historical significance, culinary delights, and political importance, Kyoto is a city you definitely have to add to your list on your next trip to Japan.
Pro Tip: During our stay in Kyoto, we discovered the wonderful Ryokan Kyoto Guesthouse Lantern, which provided all the essential amenities and boasted an excellent location that enhanced our overall experience.
Fukushin restaurant in Kyoto– Exotic food in Japan
The restaurant where we had the pleasure of eating Fugu is called Fukushin, and it was located near the historic part of the city. The family who owned the restaurant was very friendly and professional right from the beginning. The most interesting aspect was that they didn’t speak any English, so you can imagine the adrenaline of realizing that our lives were in the hands of unfamiliar people with whom we couldn’t communicate.
Fukushin Restaurant offers à la carte options as well as several tasting menus that vary based on price and the amount of fish included. We opted for the tasting menu to ensure we could sample a bit of everything.
Currently, Fukushin Restaurant is closed. We are actively seeking more information to determine if, after the pandemic, they had to relocate or if, unfortunately, they closed permanently.
The exquisite tasting menu – Exotic food in Japan
We decided to opt for one of the tasting menus, as we weren’t sure what to order and, for our first experience, we wanted to try a bit of everything.
Our culinary journey at Fukushin began with a shot of sake accompanied by a piece of the same puffer fish’s tail. The liquid in the glass was ignited, inviting us to drink it while it was still hot. As we sipped the liquid, our lips began to tremble, and we later discovered that this was intentionally done to add a captivating twist to the experience. Imagine that our trembling lips led us to envision the worst! A shot that sounded like an adventure in itself!
And so, the show begins!
As an appetizer, we were served delicate strips of fish cartilage, accompanied by grated Daikon (winter radish), onion, and ponzu sauce. The technique used to grate the Daikon is called Oroshi, similar to the style used for grating fresh wasabi. In Japan, grated Daikon is often served with greasier dishes and fried foods, as it aids in digestion.
Returning to the menu, while savoring the appetizer, the owner and his son—both chefs—were busy preparing the sashimi, using a section of the fish fillet. The presentation of this dish was quite captivating, as the fish, sliced into nearly transparent, paper-thin strips, were arranged on the plate, forming a shape akin to a chrysanthemum, a symbol of death in Japanese culture. The texture and flavor of the fish meat were unlike any other fish we had tasted before: uniquely firm and with a texture reminiscent of chewing gum—interesting, different, though not our favorite sashimi experience.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger …
The next course consisted of fried puffer fish (Fugu Karage)—a preparation that may seem simple but was truly exquisite! In this case, the dish had no frills or unnecessary decorations. Here, the focus was solely on the fish itself.
Moving forward with the tasting, we savored another dish known as Shabu-Shabu, a Japanese version of the more widely recognized Hot-Pot. A bowl of water was placed before us, and alongside it were various ingredients—fish trimmings, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, noodles, vegetables, and more. Essentially, we were encouraged to craft our dish by immersing the elements in the water and cooking them slowly to create our own soup.
Following this, we were served a bowl that could be likened to a kind of porridge. To prepare this dish, they used part of the broth created earlier and mixed it with eggs, rice, nori seaweed, and chives. Though it might sound simple, it was truly exquisite, especially when paired with Japanese pickles called “tsukemonos” (daikon, cucumber, and fukujinzuke—a variety of pickled vegetables).
Finally, we crowned our Japanese exotic food experience with a simple yet delicious ice cream for dessert, reflecting on the fact that after this adventurous meal, we were still alive and able to share our tale with friends, family, and all of you.
Our Tip: Wise is a great card when you’re traveling to a country with a different currency than yours or need to control your spending. Through a simple app you can monitor your movements and easily top up your account
Conclusions – exotic food in Japan
The dinner featuring the most exotic and venomous food of all Japanese cuisine was incredibly intriguing and enriching. We had the privilege of observing the entire process of preparation and creation of the dishes as we were seated at the bar, right next to the two chefs (father and son).
Throughout our dinner, we tried to convey that Simone is also a chef (alongside being a travel enthusiast and a writer for this blog). After the meal, the owner proudly showed us his collection of Japanese knives. He even went on to recommend where to acquire a high-quality Japanese knife. The following day, we purchased an excellent sashimi knife from that shop, which happened to be one of the oldest in Kyoto and Japan.
Another amusing moment during the dinner was the owners’ surprise upon learning our origins. No one had ever before tasted their cuisine coming from Prague or Sardinia in Italy. Thus, after the revelation, as the meal drew to a close, they invited us to place red dot markers on a world map, where they had marked all the countries from which their diners hailed.
The gastronomic journey at Fukushin was not just an experience of unique flavors and textures but also a veritable spectacle for our eyes. Every step of the process and the work behind that Japanese counter were imbued with a local artistic presentation, courtesy of a close-knit and friendly family. They conveyed a deeper cultural significance. Each dish had a story and a reason for being prepared the way it was, offering the spectators (in this case, us) a ceremonial display rich with traditions and symbolism that epitomizes the exquisite culinary craftsmanship of Japan.
So, what can we tell you in the end?
If you have the intention of traveling to Japan, this is a one-of-a-kind experience that is undoubtedly worth trying at least once in a lifetime. We can confidently say that Japan ranked among the best trips we have ever embarked upon (if not the absolute best), and we will undoubtedly return soon to relish the incredible exotic food in Japan once again.
Tell us, have you also had the chance to sample any exotic or exceptionally unusual foods during your travels?
Is there any rare or exotic food in your country that you’d like to recommend?
Please don’t hesitate to write to us here in the post or through our email; we’ll be thrilled to respond as promptly as possible.
We await you with our travel experiences from around the world and the remarkable gastronomies they offer.
See you soon friend…
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A hug for you, friends, travelers and foodies of Fun Food Travelling.
Last tip: For your trip to this amzing city, we recommend that you bring a foldable backpack with you. A small but great accessory in its use, easy to carry with you, and safe, because it has a safety lock to avoid nasty surprises.
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