Sushi has only entered my life within the last five years.  This whole “raw fish” concept has rented out a space in my brain, and will most likely forever replace small memories of my family’s delicious southern cooking.  Although I could never forget the grease-laden goodness of a deep fried pickle, the thought of slimy, blackened catfish is all but a closed chapter in my life — one that I care not to re-open anytime soon.  Ever had catfish?  It’s a bottom-dwelling scavenger of the world’s biggest toilet bowl shaped cesspool — otherwise known as the Gulf of Mexico.  There’s nothing about a trashy fish with whiskers that says “fish delicacy.” 

Step into the world of sushi, though, and you’re talking well-crafted fish delicacies all the way.  And what fish delicacy should I question sushi chef Pyong K. Yi about? Is there something out there with a phallic overtone prefect for this column?

Yes there is. You guessed it, I asked about BLOWFISH.

STEPH DEROSA: I love the sushi here, but I’ve never had blowfish.  Do you serve blowfish here?

PYONG K. YI: No. That stuff has to be served by specially licensed blowfish preparers. I’m not sure I know anyone around here who serves it.  Why?  Do you want to have some blowfish?

DEROSA: Uhhhh, not right now, Mr. Yi. (Blowfish! Damn!  I have to get my mind out of the gutter.)

YI: I can tell you how it feels to have blowfish, if you want.

DEROSA: (He’s not making it any easier.) Yes, Mr. Yi, tell me what blowfish feels like.

YI:  Well, first it has to be prepared in very thin slices, and only certain parts of the fish may be put in your mouth.  But when you do eat it, you’ll most likely feel a tingling of the lips and a slight numbing of the tongue.

DEROSA: (Giggle!)

YI: Steph?

DEROSA: (Collect yourself, Steph, deep breath.) What parts of the blowfish can’t be put in your mouth?

YI: The skin, eye, under the gills, and inside the gut.  The meat is OK to put in your mouth.

DEROSA: (Good lord.  Be good, Steph, be good.) Are there different ways one can take in blowfish? (Sorry, I had to ask.)

YI: Sometimes they burn the skin and drop a little into sake so you can drink it.

DEROSA: Ouch.  I think before I lose my three male readers, I better stop there.  (And before I get fired?  Nah.)

[Sapporo Japanese Restaurant, 4803 Pacific Hwy. E., Fife, 253.922.5656]