DJ Squid is in the house!

Ok people, it has finally happened... I have faced my fear! I ate squid-on-a-stick!!! Well, technically it wasn't on a stick and it wasn't even cooked but that makes it far more scary and me much braver for trying it. Not bad for a Monday!

I had my usual English class tonight with the ever-enthusiastic Makoto. After our encounter on Friday, during which he presented me with freshly cooked Takoyaki (fried octopus balls...), he was keen to offer me something else typically Japanese that most foreigners run and hide from. For some reason, I cannot seem to say "no thank you, it looks weird" or "I wouldn't eat that even if you paid me" and so it seems I will continue to be offered these culinary delights. Just before he left, I thanked him again for the Takoyaki which then reminded him he had a stash of dried squid in his car.

Makoto: "Will you try?"
Me: (slight hesitation) "oooh yummy, of course!"

2 minutes later he reappeared with this...



...this being 6 times the size of my hand (and he brought two!)

He grilled the first one on the hob which turned the 10 day old fish smell into a stench that resembled singed hair. He ripped off a leg and started chewing, leaving me to select my own part to try - I opted for a smaller leg! It tasted a bit like seaweed with the texture of biltong, but the smell was overwhelming. Makoto was delighted when I replied with "oishii desu" (delicious) and decided to leave both specimens with me as a present.

As soon as he left, I downed half a tube of GIANT Smarties (thanks mum - perfect timing!!) to get rid of the weird after-taste but can't quite seem to mask the smell that has filled my tiny two room apartment...