Something's Fishy (at the
Tsukiji Fish Market)...
January 23, 2006
Yet another early morning for me. This time it was at 3am or so. I finally got up when my watch reached 4:45am. Luckily, I’m in
Tokyo and there’s one thing that every visitor in this city must do. The Tsukiji Fish Market! This starts at 5am and it’s suggested
that you go anytime between then and 7am. So I strolled out there and walked through, over and around dozens of tuna. I used
to think of little Charlie the Sunkist Tuna when I thought of tuna. No longer! These tuna were just about as big as the men
moving them around. When I went to the very far end, I was able to check out the auction that takes place. Of course I couldn’t
understand squat but it was quite a scene to check out! This is where restaurants get there fresh fish for the day. These people
have all done their years of tuna research so they know what makes one fish phenomenal vs. just good. When I went to get
breakfast, I got myself lost in this maze of fish and fish vendors. It’s not a place where you want to get lost—there are people
driving by left and right in carts hauling around their loads of fish…and they’re on a mission—one that is not watching out for the
American girl wandering around. I finally found my way out and to a sushi restaurant right near the market. I don’t know if I can
explain how delicious fish literally melting in your mouth at 6:30am can be! I’m seriously going to be having dreams about this
sushi. If it wasn’t good enough that my sushi (unagi, meguro, salmon and crab) was some of the tastiest I’ve ever had, the
clincher is at how cheap it was! Only about $8.50 for 6 pieces of nigiri!
Some big fish!
Future sushi
