In Japan, Pufferfish, known as a delicacy that can cost up to $125 at high-end restaurants, is now available in instant noodle form for only $1.90, thanks to Nissin Foods. The new Cup Noodle flavor, featuring the essence of pufferfish, was released on Monday.
Nissin Foods stated that the flavoring of pufferfish is condensed into a small packet of oil to be added to the soup base. The company did not disclose the preparation process of this potentially deadly flavoring. Despite the risk associated with pufferfish, Nissin is confident in the safety of its product.
According to a spokesperson for Nissin, the company has no plans to sell the new pufferfish flavor outside of Japan. Each cup of noodles comes with dried chicken meatballs, spring onions, Japanese-style shredded egg, and a soup base enriched with a dash of yuzu.
After trying the instant noodles, a CNN journalist reported that the dish tasted of seafood broth and yuzu, with the mild flavor of pufferfish not being prominent. Nissin, founded in 1958, has grown into an international household name with revenue exceeding $4.59 billion.
Pufferfish is considered a prized item in Japanese cuisine, but almost all pufferfish are poisonous, containing deadly tetrodotoxin. Chefs in Japan must undergo at least two years of training before being qualified to prepare pufferfish. Medical experts emphasize that consuming improperly prepared pufferfish can lead to serious health issues, including death.
Despite the risks associated with pufferfish consumption, the delicacy has gained popularity overseas in recent years. In 2020, three people died in the Philippines after eating pufferfish from a barbecue stand. Similarly, an elderly couple in Malaysia passed away after consuming pufferfish purchased from an online vendor.
These incidents highlight the importance of strict regulations and proper preparation techniques when dealing with pufferfish, a delicacy that can be deadly if not handled correctly.
