Meat on a stick anyone?

The Japanese have an affinity for cooking things on a stick. We've seen veggies on a stick, bread on a stick, random boiled seafood on a stick, and other delightful speared delicacies.


Our second night in Japan, our new Japanese friends took us out to dinner. We were and are very grateful for them, as they are exceptionally nice people. On this night, they took us to a yakitori restaurant (think, chicken parts on a stick). Upon entering, we had to remove our shoes; then we were led into a semi-private eating area that consisted of one table big enough for 4. On either side of the table were privacy curtains to lessen the feeling that there were others also eating at the restaurant. We sat down at the table on large floor pillows, and our legs hung down into a sunken portion of the floor.

We let our friends order for everyone. That certainly wasn't a bad decision. The meal was started with raw veggies that we could dip in a miso paste if desired. Then, out came a salad. This wasn't just any salad. It was a taco salad if I've ever tasted one. It included seasoned meat (possibly beef, possibly chicken), lettuce, cucumber, and tomato. It was delicious. In their first of many attempts to challenge what we will eat, they ordered raw chicken as a "second appetiser." We looked incredulously at each other, at the chicken, then at them. Certainly they were joking. It became clear that they were in fact not joking as they each tried a piece and declared "oishii" (delicious). We explained how we were afraid of salmonella. Apparently, salmonella from raw chicken isn't an issue in Japan. They check the chicken for it. This chicken was 100% salmonella free. Encouraged by their reassurance and not wanting to reject their offer, we both tried the tiniest of pieces. We're still alive. I don't think I'd order it in a restaurant, but it's not the worst thing to try.

Then the varieties of things-on-a-stick started to appear on our table. We had chicken heart (on a stick), chicken thigh (on a stick), chicken gizzard (on a stick), and quail eggs (also on a stick). Overall, the meal was exceptionally good. When we were finished, the chef and our waitress (a friend of theirs) came out to see how we liked it and to see us off. We had had a great time with good food and great company.