ISO: Fugu in NYC

[AzianBrewer]

Hey folks-

Anyone here know any good places for fugu-blowfish? The last time I had this was in Japan and it's $$$$! The fish is carefully sliced to wafer thin then plated on an exquisite platter to resemble the petals of a chrysanthemum, the flower of death in Japan. I think it is the best sashimi I ever had right up there with otoro.

[JayBassin]

I understand it's illegal to sell in the U.S. because of the danger.

[Jason Perlow]

No, I think a token few places in NYC can serve it, it requires a special license issued jointly by the NY Health Department and some state agency in Japan to specific chefs. Sushi Yasuda is one of them, as is Kuruma Zushi. At least this was the case around 2002/2003.

[raxelita]

Here you go:

Places that serve Fugu, courtesy of NPR

I've heard that many places require you to call ahead to let them know your going to order it.

[M.X.Hassett]

I have had it at Yashuda maybe around /02, PM me if you have plans on going .

[ASM NY]

I had some Fugu at Sugiyama recently. From what the waiter told us (as he was showing us some certificate that you need to have in Japan to sell it) was that it was flown in regularly, but that the fish was cleaned in Japan, not in the US.

[Todd36]

I had some Fugu at Sugiyama recently. From what the waiter told us (as he was showing us some certificate that you need to have in Japan to sell it) was that it was flown in regularly, but that the fish was cleaned in Japan, not in the US.

←

I think the license is held by the chef, not by the restaurant. Sugiyama can get if you order it in advance by a few days. I've never had it, but they offered to me once when they had extra. It's not supposed to have much flavor, more of a texture experience. Mr. Sugiyama has a license, I think his chief assistant may have one as well.

[ASM NY]

[Oceangroveguy]

I had Fugu at Nippon on East 52nd Street about 2 years ago. I was underwhelmed by the flavor, but the experience was a thrill....

[M.X.Hassett]

Fugu is imho much more about texture and the ceromony/masochism of it. I found the texture to be very pleasent, found the flavor to be very subtle.