Squid!! What you can not miss in Fukuoka!!

Ika （いか、烏賊）, or squid in 横文字, is THE grandee royal treat in Fukuoka. Showing here is the art work (AND it is actually edible!!) created by the renowned executive chef Aoki of Kawasho, one of the most exquisite sushi restaurants in Fukuoka. If you happen to be in Fukuoka, and not too concern with your cuisine budget, I highly recommend a dinner visit to the renowned sushi restaurant in town.

Squid sushi is one of those that looks easy to do, but actually requires a lot of effort to excel. Not to mention a lot of practise to perfect the art. Aoki-san would have to peel the squid's almost invisible skin with a towel and lots and lots of patience until its surface was all perfectly smooth and shiny. The next step is to use a sashimi-bocho (Japanese sushi knife) to cut evenly-paced fine and absolutely parallel lines through the squid's entire outside surface. Then the maestro would turn the squid 60 degrees around, and did the same thing. Again, even-interval, absolutely parallel, and exactly the same depth cutting lines to create a stunning delicate grid pattern. Click the pictures to the left for an enlarged picture to see what I am talking about.

There are three reasons to do so: 1) Aesthetics. Without the grids, the squid's smooth surface creates glare which does not look appetizing. Instead, the fine cut grid pattern creates a beautiful image to enhance appetite. 2) Health. More importantly, for practical serving and digestion purpose. Squid has very tough skin which is difficult for a normal person to bite and swallow. The fine cuts in fact divide the tough skin into many small parcels which are easy to chew and digest. 3) Taste. Lastly, to enhance the tasting pleasure and experience. When squid's sensitive meat, or muscle, meets the air it will quickly oxidize. With proper oxidization, the meat becomes softer and sweeter. However, there is a catch: you need to consume it right away. Otherwise it will become too watery to be tasty. Here, Aoki-san's work was a masterly demonstration of craftsmanship, precision and art. The picture is truly for any one's eye pleasure. The taste? It was absolutely surprising and pleasing. What a gracious tasting experience with Aoki-san!! Thank you, Aoki-san!!