Surugaya Kahei

Just a short hop across the river from Akihabara, this restaurant will either sound totally intriguing or absolutely terrifying. That’s because they specialize in shiokara: seafood fermented in its own innards! Okay, you’re still with us — you didn’t close the tab. That puts you among the ranks of the more adventurous foodies out there who aren’t afraid to try something totally alien to most world cuisines. A seafood company runs Surugaya Kahei and keeps it stocked with over 60 different varieties of shiokara from various fish, and with a range of seasonings and sauces. You can order plates with several small portions to sample a range — some far richer than others — with various sake to match. Once you’re tried this unusual dish, you can stop to raise a glass to yourself for diving headfirst out of your culinary comfort zone. After that, you can either continue to tuck in to shiokara, or fill up on more mainstream izakaya fare such as rice bowls and sushi. Who knows, you might just discover your new favorite food. Just don’t go asking for it at restaurants back home (you might get some strange looks).