I’ll Take A Pound Of The Cricket Snacks, Please

InagoStand

Mmm-mmm, on market day in Koshinzuka, they still sell inago tsukudani, scoops of Jiminy Cricket’s relatives all toasted up nice and crispy in a salty-sweet marinade. And what do they taste like, you may ask? Okay, I admit I chickened out of this one. But if they’re anything like shrimp tsukudani or tuna tsukudani or seaweed tsukudani, they taste like…tsukudani. A combo of soy sauce and sweet rice wine. Only maybe a little, uh, crunchier.

If you can get past the idea of bugs in your mouth, I bet they’re actually quite tasty. It’s snacks like these that made it possible to put a little extra protein in people’s diets during lean times, so the fact that people still buy them when there’s a McDonald’s right around the corner tells you they’re probably not bad at all.

Inago
Here they are, up close and personal, in case the idea didn’t squick you out enough!

If you’d like to visit the market on Koshinzuka Street the next time you’re in Tokyo, visit my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had. The street market is held on the 4th, 14th and 24th of each month.

It’s the year 1784 and the shōgun rules with an iron fist . . . except within the walled pleasure quarter of Yoshiwara. Inside the Great Gate, samurai law does not apply, and it’s women who pull the strings

The Samurai’s Octopus…is a truly remarkable book, one that surprised and charmed me at every turn of the page. You’re in for a treat.”
James Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries

Tell me more!

If you enjoyed this, subscribe! It’s free!

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

Published by Jonelle Patrick

Author of The Last Tea Bowl Thief

5 thoughts on “I’ll Take A Pound Of The Cricket Snacks, Please

  1. i have actually tried this on a dare lol and it was pretty tasty :)….once you get pass the wings and legs LMAO

Leave a comment