In Japan, a noodle brand is launching a fugu-based product. A surprising choice for a fish known to be extremely toxic if not prepared meticulously.
Will you take the risk? An instant noodle brand in Japan is offering a new range of their products made from puffer fish, a toxic fish that must be cooked in a special way to be harmless, CNN announced on Tuesday, June 25.
Called fugu, the puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin which is a substance toxic to humans and for which there is no antidote. A recognized dish in Japan, this fish can only be eaten after having undergone specific cooking. This preparation process often makes it very expensive, reaching around a hundred euros in a restaurant. In Japan, chefs must have two years of training to be authorized to serve fugu dishes.
A cheaper soup
Nissin Foods will launch its product at a much more affordable price since it should be accessible at 1.74 euros. CNN reveals that the dish will be composed of fugu “essence” which will be presented in a small sachet accompanying a soup. “The high-quality flavor of grilled puffer fish spreads throughout the mouth,” said the Japanese firm in a press release promoting its product. The latter nevertheless confirmed to our American colleagues that their new product will only be available in Japan.
Improperly prepared fugu can cause paralysis, tingling, convulsions, and even death within four to six hours after being ingested.
