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Okay, so I don’t like sushi. All right, I’ve said it. I know I’ve now opened myself up to a rousing round of flack from sushi lovers everywhere about the virtues of sushi, the health benefits of eating fish, and what’s wrong with me that I don’t like sushi. I’m ready for the onslaught.
But I don’t like it. First, sushi is mostly fish. Raw fish. I don’t like fish. It’s either fishy or bland. And I’m of the school of thought that any food that is worth eating should be tasty without undergoing extensive manipulation and alteration. I can slap a piece of chicken on the grill, and it’s delicious as is. I don’t have to batter it, fry it, chop it up, mix it with other things, slather it in butter, or massage it.
That’s right, I said massage it. I heard a disturbing report on the news today of an acclaimed, expensive sushi experience. In the process of describing the superiority of the sushi at this restaurant compared to others, the documentarian described what makes this sushi special: the octopi receives extensive massaging before serving. Turns out most sushi restaurants just don’t massage their octopi enough. “Tragically undermassaged” it seems. I’m as shocked to hear this as you are, but really, it’s true. At least an hour of massaging is about right , and anything less is just inferior and lazy.
And the price of this well-massaged sushi meal? About $300. All I can say is, if I’m shelling out $300 for a meal, it better be food that’s cooked, and I better be the one getting the pre-meal massage!
Related link: Cameras follow world’s greatest sushi chef (npr.org)
© Huffygirl 2012
Huffygirl's Blog 
That’s hilarious about massaging the octopus. My mother taught us we should never play with our food.
I think your mom was right, although the person doing the massaging is not the person who “gets” (read “has”) to eat it.
Hahaha I totally agree! however did they get the idea to massage an octopus what nonsense! and the whole idea of raw fish turns my stomach $300 indeed!
From what I heard, the octopus is tough and unappetizing unless it is massaged. Hmmm. In my book, octopus is automatically unappettizing, and no amount of massage will change that for me.
Not a sushi lover either. You’re not alone!
Glad to hear it Lisa. I was really expecting to get beat up on this one, but the sushi lovers are so far silent.
LOL!!!! I agree with you about the massage…. I better be the one getting it! No $300 on raw fish for me, either (athough I do like sushi . . . but not to the tune of that kinda money!)
After all, the octopus gets massaged for an hour, and it’s already dead. We deserve at least that much.
I’m with you, Huffy. Tried sushi and did not like it. Plus, the germaphobe in me can’t get past the hazards of eating it…parasites, unclean work surfaces, dirty massaging hands, and then no heat to kill it all off. Blech.
Thanks Margaret – my sentiments exactly. I was expecting to really get beat up by sushi lovers everywhere.
I love fish/seafood…as long as it is cooked or smoked. I don’t like raw fish at all. I like sushi if it is made with cooked or smoked fish, or just the veggie kind. As for $300 for a dinner…I would want the massage for me prior to dinner, a meal of my choice exquisitely prepared and presented with wine, and a very special dessert and coffee.
Sounds good Ann.
So you like my $300 evening? 🙂
Yes, sounds like fun.
No disagreement from me… I don’t like sushi either! 😉
So far pretty much unanimous – surprising to me because I hear so many people rave about sushi.
Massaged octopi, rubbed pork, pounded chicken–gosh, dead animals have all the fun!
Yes except maybe the pulled pork. That seems like it would hurt.
hahahah Thanks! I do eat sushi and the next time I eat at my favorite place, I’m gonna take my plate of sushi back up to the sushi roller and I’m gonna tell him “Dude! This Octopi has not been properly massaged!!” 🙂 Thanks HuffyGirl! 🙂
Great. In fact, I think it will have the most effect if you say it is “tragically undermassaged!”
Alongside Tough and Tasteless for an Octopus, you’d better add Highly Intelligent – which is possibly a more compelling reason for not eating them (or squid for that matter). Only vegetarian sushi for me…
Good idea Martin. But if it’s vegetarian, is it still sushi? I thought sushi by nature contains some kind of raw seafood.
You still get the raw seaweed 😉
Well that sounds yummy.
You made me laugh.. thanks.. I do like some sushi… mostly california rolls.. fishless.. is that sushi cheating?
Glad I could make you smile Maggie. Maybe I don’t know enough about sushi because I thought all sushi had fish in it. So, if California rolls are fishless sushi, then I guess it’s not cheating. Just watch out for those under-massaged octopi though.
We eat all sorts of sushi and sashimi. Sushi can be made from all sorts of fish (cooked and uncooked) and veggies. Our son-in-law is Japanese, so we have had an extensive education since he came into the family!
I guess you are the expert Margie. Probably you shouldn’t show your son-in-law this post – he might be offended 🙂
I think he would understand – there are a few of our ethnic foods he is not fond of!
Glad I found you~ I’ll be back!
Thanks for stopping by. Your woodsy photos are beautiful.
i am happy to pay 300 dollars for my sushi.The quality needs to be superb. I am happy to folk out even more for the octopus that has been massageed. it tastes so good.
you guys are so behind!
I guess I am behind, as I’d never eat octopus massaged or not. But I hope you find the great sushi you are looking for.