Osaka Crab and Pufferfish | Kaniyoshi WEST Audio Menu

Charcoal fire is another feature here. Snow crab or king crab legs are placed on a small charcoal stove and grilled on the spot until the surface is slightly charred and fragrant. The fats and juices sizzle over the charcoal, the aroma reaching your nose first, and when you take a bite, the outer layer has a hint of charcoal aroma while the inside remains soft and juicy. This is a way of ‘eating crab with all five senses,’ where sight, sound, smell, and taste are satisfied simultaneously. King crab meat is thicker and sweeter, suitable for those who want a richer texture. Horsehair crab tends to be richer with more crab tomalley, and both boiling or grilling can release its essence.

Pufferfish follows a different path. Fresh pufferfish sashimi is thin and transparent, melting in your mouth with a slight elasticity and sweetness, without the fishy smell one might imagine. If it is your first time eating pufferfish, you will be surprised by its refreshing taste, and immediately want another slice. Pufferfish skin can be parboiled or deep-fried, offering a chewy texture; the body can be prepared as parboiled or in a hot pot. Even more special is the pufferfish milt, salt-grilled or served as sashimi, with its creamy texture and rich umami, which is an item many regular customers order as an extra. The pufferfish hot pot puts these parts into a light broth, finishing with porridge, and the soup base becomes mellow due to the collagen from the pufferfish.

It is very popular to choose a set meal that includes both crab and pufferfish. Snow crab sashimi, grilled crab legs, pufferfish sashimi, pufferfish hot pot, crab miso, and finally the rice porridge are served in order. This allows you to compare the fresh sweetness of the two types of seafood and taste different preparation methods in a single meal. The sweetness of the crab and the refreshing taste of the pufferfish complement each other, so you won’t feel overwhelmed. The restaurant also offers a three-crab combination, featuring snow crab, horsehair crab, and king crab served together, which is suitable for those who want to compare different crab species at once.