Saturday May 26, 2012

Michelin two-star restaurant in Ginza in trouble over fugu poisoning

Crime ( 55 )

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  • -1

    Tom DeMicke

    Think I'll stick to baked fish. Not taking that chance.

  • -9

    Reinaert Albrecht

    Michelin said it does not plan to change its rating of the restaurant, which was based on the dishes its agents ate, a company spokeswoman said.

    If Michelin plans on having a respectable name in Japan, this is a mistake on their part.

  • -4

    deepstar6

    Why is fugu still being consumed in Japan?

  • -6

    Jared Norman

    People already know fugu is potentionary deadly to eat, mistakes do happened.

  • -2

    WilliB

    " “The chef served a liver, knowing that it is toxic, even if it was a request from the customer. "

    I don´t get this. Suicide wish? Did they explain to the customer it is poisenous?

  • -1

    Vernie Jefferies

    What the heck does it taste like to risk your health....or even your life?

  • 0

    CrazyJoe

    What was served (toxic liver) is not in the regular menu. It was in the ura menu (裏メニュー) of the restaurant. Only the regular customers know about this ura menu. Sort of like a prototype.

  • -3

    tmarie

    so he might be charged with this?? Seems pretty silly is the customer ordered it - surely you would have to know the risks of it if it isn't on the menu and you ask for it.

    FYI, most of the fugu that is served now doesn't contain any poison. They've managed to breed it out of them for the most part.

    So, does this place lose its stars??

  • 1

    アメリ フセイン

    And nothing of value was lost.

  • -1

    gaijinTechie

    No-one will be responsible for my food poisoning this week from a spoiled take-out and the resulting considerable loss of revenue. TIJ.

  • 7

    cactusJack

    The Simpsons Episode "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" is about fugu poisoning. Great episode.

  • -1

    Farmboy

    However, some aficionados ask to be served the banned parts, which are said to be a fine but dangerous delicacy.

    Well, the customer asked, and the chef provided. Let's call it a no-fault decision, have the chef split the medical costs with the numb-lipped customer, and just call it a bad day. Maybe a free meal next time would be a nice gesture.

  • -1

    Laguna

    I see these guys all the time when diving. They're cute boxy little things with pursed lips and stubby, fluttering fins, sort of like little fish blimps; they allow you to approach right up to them 'cause they seem to know they're toxic - and spiny, too.

  • -2

    smithinjapan

    "The Japanese capital boasts 16 three-star eateries, six more than Paris."

    How is this even relevant to the article? I realize of course it is in relation to Michelin ratings, but still -- it has nothing to do with a woman being poisoned.

    What are the chances that the woman DIDN'T request it and the chef just flubbed up? The article states that aficionados sometimes request the banned parts, but not if this woman did. Regardless, if it's banned and the man served it, he deserves punishment (not sure if he should face jail time by any means, but still).

  • 3

    Badge213

    Idiocy on both sides.

    You know the liver is dangerous, yet you request it = bozo.

    You are the chef, you know you are in deep kim chee if you serve a banned part and the person gets sick = bozo.

    Both need to go to jail.

  • -7

    Elbuda Mexicano

    This IDIOT chef served the LIVER of this FUGU knowing Full Well that it was TOXIC?? What the hell was he thinking?? PENDEJO! Dum dum!

  • 0

    gogogo

    She ordered it, I couldn't see it being on the menu.

  • 2

    timeon

    Smith, it's written clear in the article that she did request the liver. And any Japanese kid knows that fugu liver is poisonous. I don't know, but it's maybe ok if you taste just a bit and she had too much? or this fugu was especially toxic? anyways, it's clearly a two way fault here (by the way, this story reminds me of a tour guide in Australia who got in trouble after explaining that the eucalypt leaves koalas eat are toxic to humans, a woman picked one up and started chewing on it. they had to carry her to the hospital)

  • 2

    Erin Okamoto

    Why is fugu still being consumed in Japan? Because it's freakin' delicious. But that chef was clearly a fool.

  • -1

    Foxie

    Maybe the restaurant owners should have customers sign an agreement before serving them such dangerous parts from now on.

  • -1

    BlueWitch

    “The chef served a liver, knowing that it is toxic, even if it was a request from the customer. It should warrant punitive actions,” said a public health official.

    The chef may face fines, and possible jail time.

    WHAT?? Are they kidding? The woman is the ONLY one to blame here. I'm sure she KNEW the dangers of this toxic fish but you know, little person big ego, right? Not even child-abusers get jail time, what makes the keystones think the Chef will? The judicial system here is a complete joke!

  • -1

    BlueWitch

    Make no mistake, this bonehead Chef deserves some harsh reprimand (not jail time!) of course. but wow, the woman is a complete IDIOT!

  • 5

    Nicky Washida

    If she did order this off-menu as the article suggests, shes got a blooming cheek to them turn around and complain! I feel sorry for the chef! Yeah, he was an idiot too, but this woman deserves jail time for the crime of being terminally stupid!

  • 1

    m6bob

    Some may call me a simpleton who do not understand fine cuisines, but WHY would someone wants to dice with death or injury by eating such things? Is it boredom of the rich & famous? Too much money & time? I presume this lady is rich & bored.

  • -1

    Elbuda Mexicano

    Some people think they can cheat death and sometimes they can like this time but maybe next time?? Not so lucky and we be reading another news right??

  • -1

    Drama Lama

    I've heard that some fugu restaurants do serve the liver and other organs as a kind of buzz. Not enough to kill though! So I think that's what she might have requested. My student said he actually cut and prepared fugu fish as part of his part time job in the chain ten fugu restaurant....I was shocked as I go there sometimes too.

  • -1

    Elbuda Mexicano

    Sorry but this fugu fish is not that yummy and not worth the risk!!

  • -3

    Disillusioned

    It tastes terrible! There is nothing delicious about it! I've also has someone pass me a glass of fugu fin sake, which I ditched into a potplant. There is a reason this fish is poisonous and that is because it is not meant to be eaten! Why is that so hard for people to understand?

  • -2

    CHAMADE

    I always suspected Michelin was in well over its head in Japan . Even their non Japanese food ratings in japan seem bizarre !

  • -1

    rainman1

    The customer knows best - She knew what she wanted and knew what the (probable) effect would be. Sure, revoke his licence but throw her complant out.

    On another note, without mentioning names, there have been a couple of comments elsewhere asking 'why' certain foods are served here in Japan. I think Natto and Uni were mentioned elsewhere. Do you not think that the Japanese would question some of the food that is served elsewhere int he world. This site is becoming very Japan bashing recently. Shame.

  • -1

    Weasel

    The chef should have reminded his customer that the secrete menu really only works well at a In-n-out burger restaurant, and don't turn out as favorably in a fugu restaurant.

  • -1

    Serrano

    That's what she gets for eating at a two-star restaurant, next time she'll be sure to go to a three-star resturant, lol.

  • -1

    serendipitous

    High quality fugu sashimi with ponzu is very good. I've eaten some crappy fugu and it really was average. As for the poisoning, I guess it's not so different from people trying to eat ridiculously spicy sauces. I mean the ones that can really cause serious discomfort and possible medical problems! Some humans like to challenge themselves more than others. If the lady did ask for the liver then she can't really complain because it is supposed to create a tingling, numbing sensation on the lips. The headache may just have been from something else....... like just the thought of eating fugu liver....or from sake!

  • -1

    rainman1

    Chamade: Would you give me a couple of examples? Then i shall do my best to avoid.

  • -1

    Arturo Hernandez

    Fugu dish name....dying Dreaming....

  • 0

    Ted Barrera

    Fugu is delicious! I had its flesh as sashimi and fugu testicles (sounds gross, but tastes like a creamy, more delicate foie gras). I wouldn't toy around with the liver or skin though, where all the poison is manufactured.

  • -3

    notasap

    Didn’t the Simpsons do an episode about Fugu poisoning? One has to wonder why someone would order something like that and why the restaurant doesn't make them sign release forms prior to eating such a dish.

  • -7

    ssway

    Wow, radioactive AND poisonous!

  • 1

    Mick Rosacci

    Wow, I ate there a couple of years ago - highly recommended! It was amazing, course after course of fugu in a wide variety of presentations! Odd the customer would request liver, every Japanese knows it's danger.

  • 1

    sf2k

    why the emphasis on the restaurants rating more than the woman's life?

  • 0

    theResident

    I see your point sfk2, but nobody died. I have no doubt that we would be reading differently had she in fact died.

    The chefs licence should be removed, that much is clear, but this probably happens pretty often as pointed out in the article. The trick is NOT have your customers try and sue you afterwards! It's a great restaurant, I too have been there and highly recommend it.

  • 0

    theResident

    Also, ssway, please don't type such senseless comments. Do you think the triple disaster of March 11th was funny?

  • -2

    Al Stewart

    So Michelin stars are based on food only and not service or practice?

  • 1

    bicultural

    ssway, is it possible for you to make a comment without using the word "radioactive?" I doubt it.

  • -2

    gogogo

    Fugu doesn't taste good at all, I've eaten it many times, it is small and tasteless.

  • 0

    Darren Brannan

    I never really appreciated Fugu until I ate it in Shimonoseki. There are plenty of places there and in Oita that secretly offer the tingle. They have even figured out a way to farm it in fresh water now. Sublime taste, but as with snapper I find the taste really comes out when cooked.If you ever get to the Karato fishmarket in shimonoseki you can have an awesome day. Every kind of fugu. Raw, cooked, pickled.. Fugu burger and... Fugu ice cream!! I sh@t you not!

  • -1

    Ben_Jackinoff

    Lemon makes your mouth 'tingle' and you don't have to die over it.

  • -1

    Crystalyle

    I don't really care for it. This is just another one of Japan's overrated experiences.

  • 0

    MaboDofuIsSpicy

    We used to catch fugu in queens on the docs, pull the skin off after popping holes in them, bread them and cook them right on the docks. Some Fugu is not poisoness at all.

    Japanese Fugu is over rated though.

  • 0

    Ben_Jackinoff

    Thumbs me down ten times if you want, knowingly serving up or ordering a toxic dish is stupid. This is especially true when the supposed only reason is to feel the tingle. There are much safer and much more fun ways to get tingles.

  • 0

    theResident

    Not going to thumb you down Ben, but you must understand it's a delicacy in Japan. A very nice one at that.

  • 0

    Leonard Boyak

    It's the old saying the customer is always right, but the goverment will always blame you. Lol

  • 0

    Ben_Jackinoff

    theResident,

    Fugu is a delicacy. The toxic liver is illegal to serve. To serve it or to eat it is plain stupid.

  • -1

    theResident

    Bem: You have my apology, I assumed you were like the other gaijin here and refering to Fugu as a whole.

  • 1

    Ben_Jackinoff

    the Resident,

    No worries. With the exception of the toxic parts, it makes great eating.

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