Odc. 122: Global Food Tour Team Debates Spicy Mentaiko Cooking Methods and Quality

122

The 'Global Food Tour' team meets with Editor-in-chief Koizumi who praises Kinjō for his work and offers him a packet of spicy mentaiko which he recommends grilling. Kinjō doesn't want it because he says it makes his tongue numb and adds that grilled roe becomes hard and dry. Koizumi says that someone so sensitive to spicy food can't go on the Global Food Tour which irritates Kinjō, and both men lose their temper. Yamaoka then says that Kinjō knows nothing about cooking roe and that mentaiko is terrible food, which makes them even angrier and Koizumi threatens to fire Yamaoka. Yamaoka asks for three days to prove his case. They meet again in the Okaboshi restaurant and Okaboshi serves them spicy mentaiko. Kinjō notices his tongue doesn't go numb and Yamaoka explains the reason wasn't the spiciness but food additives like MSG. Then they are served grilled tarako (cod roe). One is small and tastes dry and feels hard. A large one however tastes delicious. Yamaoka explains that if the fish is caught before spawning season the roe is not mature and is unsuitable for grilling. Koizumi and Kinjō apologize to each other for acting out of ignorance. (Source: Wikipedia)