SPECIAL EDITION FOR THE DAY OF THE OX

Speaking of Eel

Sensei.

The Day of the Ox is coming.

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I know.

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So I asked everyone.

Speaking of eel?

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Uh-oh.

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Unadon.

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Market answer.

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Why?

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Cost before dreams.

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Next.

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Unagi Inu.

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Naturally.

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It’s not even food.

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Next.

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Kabayaki.

Shirayaki.

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Reasonable.

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He doesn’t drink.

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Then why shirayaki?

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A mystery.

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Next.

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Kabayaki.

But with sake, shirayaki.

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Now we’re talking.

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Last one.

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Unagi Pie.

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Oh.

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Best seller.

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That’s your answer?

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In the market,

sales matter.

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What about you?

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Speaking of eel—

the liver.

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Liver soup?

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No.

The heart of the story.

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I see.

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Steam it.

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Mm.

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Or grill it.

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Mm.

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That’s the point.

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At last.

The market.

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By the way,

hitsumabushi is popular.

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It is.

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What kind of “-mae” is that?

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Nagoya-mae.

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Makes sense.

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Wait.

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What?

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Condiments.

Broth.

Different flavors.

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Yes.

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That might be Edomae too.

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Really?

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A way to enjoy

the same fish

until the very last bite.

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Curtain

Tsukiji Outer Market

The Day of the Ox.

Some see a rice bowl.

Some see a comic character.

Some see sake.

Some see a souvenir pastry.

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People of the market

see the preparation first.

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Steam it.

Grill it.

Then decide how to eat it.

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Culture lives in the details.

And Edomae goes on.