Tsukiji Wonderland Page #3

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Whereas Tokyo chefs specialize,

like a sushi bar only serves sushi.

A tempura chef improves his tempura

over decades.

Tokyo chefs regard themselves

more as a craftsman than a cook.

That artisan culture has its roots

in Tsukiji.

To excel at their craft

they expect to work with

the best ingredients-.

See how it's not slimy?

It'll stay that way when it's cooked.

I'm meticulous with my craft-

I have to be.

I first visited Tsukiji when I was 30.

It's been 40 years.

I enter from here.

We've known the conger eel vendor

the longest.

From before the war.

The wholesaler is 3rd generation.

And I'm the second.

Can I see?

You chose the same sized eels for me.

Thank you.

He picks the best eel out of 30 or 40.

Sometimes he chooses the best

out of 5O for me.

Only they can do that.

Every eel has a different face.

Like people, there are faces you like.

I pick fatter small faces

Face size isn't everything.

This one's noticeably thicker and

its small face is a marker.

I don't weigh them.

I can just tell.

Kizushi"

They take time to choose eels for me

and I complain if

I'm not satisfied!

I have about 8 wholesalers

I buy from.

I want a smaller one.

Each stall has a specialty.

Live fish, shellfish and so on.

I visit certain stalls

because I like the vendor.

You can't go to a supermarket.

I seek out the experts who work

at Tsukiji.

Always.

Tsukiji's amazing.

You know Kaiko Bridge?

You cross it and anything can happen.

A wholesaler once told me

It's ruthless here-

If you're tricked, it's your fault-

In the old days there were more

know-it-all customers.

They went around choosing fish.

They claimed to know a good fish

when they saw one.

Bull.

You need wholesalers to choose

fish for you at auctions.

It's not easy.

We're lucky today. There were so many

abalones to choose from.

I like to choose myself-.

And I need the wholesalers to

help me do that.

When I deal with chefs

who demand the best

I need to work hard

or else they go elsewhere.

With the added push from a client

we all improve.

I'm tense every day. I feel sick if

bad weather affects the catch.

If I have an order of 50 gizzard shads

to fill but there's no fish

I go home sick and

come back the next day in a panic.

It's all worth it though.

If I pull it off

they'll come back for more.

They deal in fish but it's

also about interaction.

You go back for that.

This is wonderful!

I bet.

- That fish was great.

- The best so far this year.

I buy fish every day.

So a good wholesaler

affects my life tremendously.

I want this every time!

The wholesalers I deal with

call me at midnight!

Just when I'm closing up

they call

and say they've secured

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