Japanese restaurant makes you catch your own fish

by Nick Vagnoni, Posted Jul 30th 2006 @ 2:35PM

A restaurant cooking your catch is nothing new, but a recent CBS report points out a Japanese restaurant called Zauo where patrons must nab their fish from a large pool before it is sent to the kitchen. The lobster tank debate aside, I have to wonder how tender a fish caught this way (stressed after being chased by a novice angler) would be. I've also heard that sushi-grade fish should be rested after being caught, so that the muscles can relax. I could be wrong about that, though. The Fark page where I found this article also has some discussion about freezing fish before serving it raw, which some states require. Also, one poster said that since most fish in the tank are hard to land, diners are often forced to settle on a more expensive but easier to catch lobster. Bear in mind that the text of the article is transcribed from a television segment, so it reads a strangely.

Filed Under: On the Blogs, Chefs & Restaurants, Restaurants
Tags: asia, boat, catching fish, fishing, japan, lobster, net, restaurant, sushi, tank, zauo

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-30-2006 @4:26PM charles said... Have not read previous comments, but would add that if this were introduced in the US this could become a rodeo type thing with heaviest fish winning a free meal for the fisher.
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7-30-2006 @5:36PM MJ said... Great idea! They had a place in EasternShore Maryland years back where you could catch your fish and they would prepare it. At least you know its fresh........
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7-30-2006 @7:40PM Jason said... Heck with that, I want to go to a burger joint where I get to shoot my own cow. :D
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7-30-2006 @9:33PM Dr. Electro said... That would be one expensive burger.

Decades ago, there was a place in San Diego that cooked your fresh catch. Nice idea if you're good at catching fish. I rather prefer to prepare my own fresh catch. I think the best breakfast I ever ate was fresh caught rainbow trout from an icy stream. With eggs fried and bread toasted over an open fire it really becomes an experience.

Yes, I am good at cooking over an open fire. I even know how to make toast that way without burning it.
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7-30-2006 @10:54PM Camille Bauman said... If I have to catch my own dinner, what's the sense of going to a restaurant? I work hard on my feet all day serving the public and expect the same service when I go out to enjoy a meal. I don't like these places where you have to grill your own steak, either. Perhaps they should charge less, seeing as they are not doing all the work.
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