Zuboraya, the first puffer fish restaurant in Japan since 1920 is closing down. Both the Dotonbori and Shinsekai locations in Osaka closed temporarily on April 8th, but due to the effects of the coronavirus, it was decided that it would close permanently.
I was hoping to blog about Zuboraya, as it was in my bucket list for 2020 until travel to Japan was closed but unfortunately, it’s not meant to be.
The huge puffer fish lantern outside the restaurants were taken down today on September 3rd and the restaurants will officially close on Sept. 15th.
Source: http://www.zuboraya.co.jp/
Zuboraya was founded by the Matsuda family as mentioned in 1920 (Taisho 9) and served fugu (blowfish).
Back when it first opened, the restaurant was known for its advertisements featuring songs sung by Ashiya Gannosuke and promoting inexpensive blowfish dishes which people can eat at the restaurant.
For those not familiar with blowfish (fugu), the fish is known to have a powerful neurotoxin that can instantly kill. The neurotoxins are 1,200 times stronger than cyanide (a puffer fish can kill 30 adults if not prepared correctly) but those who can prepare fugu properly and are specially trained and licensed can serve it.
But not to worry, only one death occurred between 1993-2011 and those who do die, are those who asked to eat the dangerous organs of the blowfish, specifically the liver or ovaries (which is prohibited). And also those who were not licensed and tried to prepare it themselves.
But it’s been consumed by Japanese for over 2800 years ago but in the 16th century, consumption was prohibited due to the deaths of eating the fish due to the neurotoxins. But the law prohibiting it was repealed around 1912 and around 1930, the Tokyo Fugu Ryori Renmei was formed in order to make fugu safe for consumption.
A monument was constructed at Ueno Park to remember the efforts of the Tokyo Fugu Ryori Renmei.
Back in 2011, the city instructed store management to remove the lanterns because it violated outdoor advertising rules. But it is said that no one really enforced it on the restaurant as the puffer fish lantern is considered a famous signboard of Osaka.
But with the closure of the restaurants, the lanterns have been removed several days ago.
For now the lanterns will be stored in a warehouse in Osaka.
As for one of the reasons why I delayed eating at the restaurant, I went back-and-forth about whether or not I wanted to eat fugu or something else in Dotonbori.
When eating fugu, many friends and associates have told me it’s not exactly great in taste, almost flavorless until you dip in in shoyu and its quite chewy. Others say it s amazing, may it be raw, boiled or fried.
But I never put fugu as a priority compared to premium niku, but now I kind of regret it.
While there are fugu restaurants throughout Japan (including Uoshou in Asakusa, which has been around since 1904), it’s unfortunate that both Zuboraya restaurants in Osaka are shuttering its doors.
