Tokyo: In Japan, a 10-year-old girl has made headlines by becoming the youngest person authorised to prepare the dangerous but highly prized 'fugu' pufferfish. Karin Tabira, a fifth-grade student from Kumamoto, passed the challenging fugu preparation test this summer. With her new certification, she can now safely clean and serve fish, a delicacy in Japan.
Recently, Karin showcased her skills by preparing a plate of fugu sashimi for the governor of Kumamoto. After tasting her carefully sliced dish, the governor responded with 'Oishi,' which means delicious in Japanese. Karin shared her excitement, saying, "I was happy when the governor said 'oishi.
' She was one of 60 people who passed the test this summer, out of 93 participants, most of whom were professional chefs. She said that successfully passing the test made for a "happy summer break." Fugu, often served raw at luxury restaurants, must be carefully prepared by certified chefs to avoid its poisonous parts.
The dish is known for its deadly poison, which can be fatal if not properly removed. Occasionally, people who attempt to prepare or eat fugu without proper training can suffer fatal consequences. Karin's interest in fugu was sparked after hearing that a sixth grader in another region had passed the test.
Determined, she began training in February at Fukunari, a local fish farm and wholesaler in Kumamoto. The farm’s executive, Yuki Hirao, noted how impressive Karin’s achievement was, stating, "Even our adult staff can fail the test. For a 10-year-old to pass on her first attempt is truly amazing.
" During her training, Karin had to use a hammer to help cut through the fugu's tough bones and even had to stand on a platform to reach the kitchen counter. Despite these challenges, she managed to become one of the youngest fugu chefs in Japan..
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