Strangest Thing I Ever Ate - Fried Shrimp heads

Left to Right: Yellowtail Jalepeno, Salmon and Tomato, Red Snapper, Chopped Eel Avocado,
Yellowtail Jalepeno Sauce

Left to Right: Yellowtail Jalepeno, Salmon and Tomato, Red Snapper, Chopped Eel Avocado,
Yellowtail Jalepeno Sauce

During the summer months up until the beginning of August one my favorite sushi restaurants, Sushi Seki, has a unique and unusual treat. They have live sweet shrimp that they --- this is kind of gruesome -- kill in front of you and make a sushi piece out of. A few minutes later they bring out the head of the shrimp, coated in a light panko batter and you have to eat it. 

Live Shrimp

When I first saw the live shrimp I was like, Awww how cute, I didn't realize what was about to happen. Before I was even able to utter the last syllable of cute, the sushi chef ripped off the head and the body started wriggling. My mouth dropped. 

Live Shrimp 

(left to right) Nao piece, Yellowtail with Jalepeno Sauce, Sweet Shrimp

He then put this beautiful sushi piece of sweet shrimp in front of me and the flesh was still twitching. I paid my respects to the little guy and then ate the piece. It was unbelievable. It was fresh and the flavor was so pure and wonderful. It melted in my mouth.

Shrimp Head

Then out came the head on a platter. I looked at the sushi chef and said "what is this?" He looked at me and said ,"It saw you before it died, so now you have to eat it's head." I looked at my friend who had also ordered the shrimp and together we had out first taste of shrimp head.

Shrimp Head

Honestly, as I bit into it I was a little scared. I was not sure what to expect. The first sensation I had was crunch, then as I continued my bite, the flavor of was out of this world. I had never tasted such an intense shrimp flavor in my life. I was hooked from the first bite and every summer I look forward to a taste of one of the strangest things I ever ate.