Tsukiji Market - Heaven for Fish Lovers

So, remind me, how do you do one of these things? I just write stuff here and you get to read it? Cool! Oh, and just found out that all these pretty pictures you see here can be clicked or tapped to see them in all their magnificent 4K glory!

On topic: some time has passed since I came back from Japan (6 weeks, what a lazy ass), and I think it's about time I posted some stuff about the trip. The reason it took so long is because I was still annoyed at EF (situation got worse, now taking legal matters) and work stuff piling up. Not to mention that cabin fever has settled in like that friend that says he needs the couch for just a couple of days. "No, I promise, just two, maybe three days". You know how that goes.

Random stock photo of a guy far more handsome than yours truly, staring out the window

You might've noticed I changed the tone a bit of how I write, as I want to try something new, including some generic stock images that we all know and love. This is me throwing stuff to the wall, expecting a binary response in return. Yay me.

So... food. Food is great. One of the main attractions of going to Japan is their cuisine. Infinitely beautiful and overwhelmingly delicious. "But Alex!", I see you yell at the screen, hoping for an answer that may or may not come, "isn't Japanese food all about raw fish and overpriced beef?". Well, my dear and ignorant friend... no!

A traditional Japanese meal, 100% accurate and not creepy at all

But let's go in more detail about how a country with over 126 million people has more than two types of dishes some other day. Today I want to focus on one of the greatest gastronomical experiences I've had in my life, borderline religiously enlightening.

Bored out of my mind in the host family's house, tired of listening to my roommate playing online (guess what game), I wanted to explore a bit, but in company. The only downside to having experiences with people is that you need people, a slight issue if you're in a foreign country that you just landed in, about to leave again, and with a global pandemic going on. So I did what anyone would do: look at shady websites for people who wants to meet with strangers!

Fortunately enough, I found a group where I get to not only keep both of my kidneys, but also have fun exploring Japan's biggest fish market: Tsukiji!

Humans having fun at Tsukiji's Market

Opened in 1935 and with literally hundreds of different food stalls, shops and many other food-lover attractions, it's worth visiting at least once. Of course, us plebians can only visit the outer part of the market, as the main part was relocated to Toyusu, and should be visited if you have one (or more, I'm not judging) Michelin Stars, or a few extra tens of thousands of dollars to spend on the Tuna auction.

Sanae, our guide, did a wonderful job preparing a 3-hour walk around the outer part of the market, starting from a massive (and ancient) Buddhist temple.

First stop (can't remember the name, and Google isn't helping):

What better way to start the day than with some breakfast sushi. We had several different pieces, one better than the last. After several weeks in Japan, I finally got to try extremely fresh and fatty tuna (o-toro), fished a few hours before shoveling it into my face-hole. The care and cheerfulness of the chef serving us was an amazing way to start the tour. With a kind smile and eager to explain (in surprisingly good English) the different cuts we were enjoying, I couldn't be happier.

After that, we did some (read: a lot) of walking around the never-ending sea (hah, water pun!) of stalls, in small and big alleys, covered top to bottom with different types of jewels from the ocean. Even found a shop where you could fake-fish an enormous tuna, to cater my silly tourist needs!

One item that is I find impossible to describe is Uni, or Sea Urchin. Fun fact: you are eating its gonads (or "egg sacs", to put it family-friendly). The texture is incredibly soft, and silky, and salty, and mellow, and delicious, and...

As you can see, it's very hard to describe. Imagine the softest bite you can out of something with the purest flavour of the ocean. Served with real wasabi. Not that garbage served in all-you-can-eat sushi, that is dyed horseradish. It's... mmmm... incredible. To top it off, had some more sashimi (sliced raw fish without rice) of different parts of tuna. The medium-fatty one was my favourite, but it's like saying if you prefer rib-eye or sirloin; doesn't matter, just put it in my mouth.

More walking and wondering around, had the opportunity to taste different types of sake (another fun fact: not all sake is served cold or warm. Depends on the type, like white wine is served colder than red wine), and skewers. I had some humble and cheap squid, but really wanted to try the 8,000 yen A5-grade beef (yes, a single skewer for $80). I'll come back to get it when I manage to buy my 3rd yathc... yatch... yakth... damn that word is difficult to write. Let's see... oh, it's "yacht". Thanks Google!

But the tour had to end, despite the group's cries and begs. We were about to go to our respective homes and hotels, when I suggested finishing off on a high note: we had to try Sushi-zan-mai, a famous top-class sushi chain. Kiyoshi Kimura, the owner, is so incredibly obsessed in serving always the best quality, that owns the world record for the most expensive purchase for a single fish: 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million) for a 278 kg tuna. When selling it to his customers, he sold it at normal price. What a madman!

Overpriced tuna aside, had to try the fish at his place. Let me just say that nowhere in the world (tried in 5 EU countries plus a few places in California), I have ever had something quite like the sushi served there. Attentive and efficient chefs masterfully create these works of art, served on slate plates. The appetiser was a "humble" crab, shrimp and salmon roe wrap, extremely delicate and tasty.

But the sushi, man. The sushi. Every single bite was like going to the Pacific Ocean, finding the nearest fish, and take a bite off it. Extremely exquisitely prepared (superlatives are the best thing ever), some even served cooked. The charred eel was surprisingly delicious and juicy, but my favourite is still the butterfish (or yellowtail in its absence). It just melts in your mouth. Everything very affordable as well, despite being maximum quality; spent something like 4,000 yen ($35), including some draft beer.

On the way home, decided to walk a bit around the area, where I found something interesting: sushi kebab (see? It's not all raw fish!). I was completely full so didn't have the chance to try it.

Oh, what a shame. Let me play my tiny violin, I have it here... somewhere... nope, no violin.

On the other hand, also found a corner where they had underground animal themed cafes. The puppy one seemed cute, but the one that truly intrigued me is the owls one. Had to rush home to pack my bags, or else I would've loved to check them out, even if it was just for the novelty.

Aaaand that's all folks! This was my morning in Tsukiji Market. Really hope you enjoyed reading, and let's see if I can be a little bit more consistent with writing these blogs.

Until next time!