2 posts tagged “sushi”

My partner knows I love japanese food. I absolutely love all kinds of sashimi, and good sushi. He recently saw a documentary on the Tokyo fish market, the Tsukiji fish market.

They showed a bit about what referred to as 'stinky fish', or funazushi. Wow, sounds interesting!?
Immediately, I googled it:

In most countries, rotten fish is thrown out. In Japan, they spend 3 or 4 years making it, and consider it an expensive luxury.

The raw fish is packed tightly in salt for a year, then dried and mixed with rice. This mixture is left to “ferment” for 3 years. The rice is changed every year, but the fish is allowed to decompose.

As you’d expect, funazushi has an overpowering smell, which discourages many people from trying it. The taste is sharp and vinegary. It can be used in soups, deep-fried in batter to make tempura, or served in green tea.

History of funazushi

Around 1000 years old, a preservation method called narezushi came to Japan from China. In Shiga, narezushi became funazushi. Fermentation was used as a way to preserve food stocks for the winter. Like many other Japanese foods (umeboshi, natto), funazushi became a national delicacy, even when fresh food became available all year round.

Funazushi is increasingly rare. As fresh fish has become available, modern sushi has been developed, reducing funazushi to novelty status. Younger Japanese people, who have more Western tastes, are less likely to develop a taste for the dubious treat. Recently, it can only be found in Shiga, and the smelly preservation technique may soon be redundant.

Source: http://www.japanfortheuninvited.com/articles/funazushi.html

It does intruigue me... but wait there is more!

I went to Antwerpen yesterday, on my own, by train.
The weather was good, I had the time, so why not, I felt like doing a little shopping.

I have been looking for a new handbag, but arrgh it is so hard. I'm difficult I think, I want a funky, classy yet timeless piece. And preferrably one for which I don't have to sell one of my kidneys to afford it.

I did found very cool ones from Skunkfunk and Desigual, but still not the one I was looking for. I want one with a long shoulder strap. Ah well, it's a life long search isn't it? Just like the perfect pair of boots. But us women, we don't give up do we! :-)

I found a few new shops, one of the perks of being in a big city on your own, you tend to discover a lot more.

I did treat myself to 2 new items from Cora Kemperman, very clean, sober but with a twist. That is why I like her collections.

Also treated myself to a sashimi lunch yay! At Sushi Palace. Sat on the terrace waiting, watching life go by. It did take long though before they served my food. Good thing it was raw fish. Wonder how long I'd have to wait for something actually cooked? :-)

But it couldn't spoil my mood, I had a great day.

Walked back to the train station, bought my mom a nice card for Mother's Day and took the train back.

Will be repeated!