Maybe it’s because we’d just finished watching The Matrix, and the post-movie izakaya conversation is all about comparing the worldview of the Wachowski Bros to the Buddhist concept that all reality exists only in our minds, but when I see that someone has ordered these little silver fish, I know a “clear your mind of all thought” moment is imminent.
As they sizzle on the hibachi, lovingly tended by the guy who ordered them for us, I can’t help but notice that the grill-ees are all staring at me with their beady little fish eyes. What’s more, I don’t need any higher order equations to be pretty sure that these kind of fish plus chopsticks do not equal “neatly pick off the meat and leave the squicky bits.”
Charred to perfection, one is laid on my plate. Invoking the Easter bunny, I take a deep breath and bite off the head. The thought “there are fish eyes and fish gills and fish skull and fish brain in your mouth RIGHT NOW” is not allowed to enter my mind.
Crunch, crunch, gulp, okay, okay, okay, safe!
After that, the fins and tail (and stomach and intestines and tiny little fish kidneys no no do not think about those DO NOT) are a no-brainer.
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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon
“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
LOL!!! As an island person this is no big deal — I never understood why this concept makes Americans so squeamish……
Just eat it. (and you know it’s fresh!) ^_^
It definitely was fresh. And actually tasted pretty good. But I was happy that I found out after the fact that these particular fishies are prized because their plump little abdomens are filled with…eggs. This is something that ought not to squick me out but it sort of does.