mystery fish 謎の魚料理 nazo no sakana ryōri

That unidentified fishy morsel that appears without explanation at Japanese restaurants. Not to be confused with the legendary catfish 鯰 Namazu that causes earthquakes (though both might leave you shaken).

Common culprits:

• Small parts of otōshi – those mandatory appetizers you never ordered
• Random izakaya side dishes
• Fish parts you didn’t know were edible
• Something the chef was “experimenting with”

Identification guide:

• White, flaky bits: Probably cod or sea bream
• Pink, translucent chunks: Likely raw tuna or snapper
• Silvery, tiny fish: Probably シラス shirasu (baby whitebait)
• Gelatinous, chewy texture: Could be 白子 shirako (fish milt, or “sea sperm” as some might call it)
• Crunchy, brown pieces: Fish bones, intentionally fried for your “enjoyment”

How to handle an encounter with mystery fish:

• Smile, nod, and ramember it’s probably expensive
• Ask これはなんですか？ Kore wa nan desu ka?　(What is this?) if you’re brave
• Watch Japanese dining companions for clues on how to eat it
• When in doubt, dip in soy sauce and pray

The locals might not even be able to identify what they’re eating sometimes, but Japanese politeness dictates eating it anyway.