# Food Eaten Alive and Moving?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [August 29, 2012, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015 "2012-08-29T07:15:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/1 "2012-08-29T07:15:34Z")
> [@](#):
>
> _“I’ve been looking forward to gagh. I haven’t had it for quite a while. Very fresh.”_ - Jean-Luc Picard (TNG: “Unification I”)
[Gagh](http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Gagh) are worms literally eaten alive, in the fictional _Star Trek_ universe at least. And while some might find this distasteful, it makes me wonder. Are there any modern human cultures that eat their food **alive** and **moving**?
I know oysters on the half shell are often split in half, and thus killed just before they’re eaten. But I assume this hypothetical delicacy I’m talking about is found in a non-Western culture.
:):)🙂
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### Author:  [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/2 "2012-08-29T07:17:51Z")
Octopus can still be moving when served. The term “alive” may not be totally accurate, but they’re moving!
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### Author:  [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/3 "2012-08-29T07:20:42Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#):
>
> Octopus can still be moving when served. The term “alive” may not be totally accurate, but they’re moving!
My first night in Korea, my boss took me to a restaurant where the sushi was so fresh, the octopus tentacles wriggled as I ate them. Baby octopi are eaten alive and whole, but I took a pass on those.
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### Author:  [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/4 "2012-08-29T07:31:52Z")
I’ve seen a lobster have it’s tail cut off and the meat inside quickly sliced and eaten. This iss all done tableside as part of the presentation. Unless lobster die within a minute or two of having their tail cut off then they’re alive and sitting on the table while their tail is being consumed.
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### Author:  [@Rich\_Mann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rich_Mann)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/5 "2012-08-29T08:31:30Z")
Fresh Mirugai (horse-neck clam) sushi will retreat from your teeth. Quite an unusual sensation.
Although the organism as a whole is technically dead in that it could not be returned to its ecosystem and breed more baby clams, I believe that the argument could be made that it is still in a very real way alive if it still has cellular activity to the point where it tries to escape being eaten.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/6 "2012-08-29T11:34:09Z")
[Casa marzu](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casu_marzu). While the cheese is not alive, the maggots are.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/7 "2012-08-29T11:48:20Z")
I have heard about sushi sliced table-side from a live fish. I heard this from a credible source, but does anyone know if it is really true?
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/8 "2012-08-29T12:00:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#):
>
> I have heard about sushi sliced table-side from a live fish. I heard this from a credible source, but does anyone know if it is really true?
Davr Barry wrote about it in his book _Dave Barry Does Japan_, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t try it. I doubt if he actually saw it.
This page claims it’s for real:
[http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/sushi\_living.html](http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/sushi_living.html)
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/9 "2012-08-29T12:02:40Z")
_Ikizukuri_
> **[Cruel Delicacy: Live Sushi](https://www.neatorama.com/2007/10/22/cruel-delicacy-live-sushi/)**
>
> This made me jump the first time I saw it: sushi that's so fresh it's still alive!This type of food is called Ikezukuri, or the preparation of sashimi (raw seafood) from a living animal. Wikipedia explains:Ikizukuri usually begins with the customer...
> **[Ikizukuri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikizukuri)**
>
> Ikizukuri (生き作り), also known as ikezukuri (活け造り), (roughly translated as "prepared alive") is the preparing of sashimi (raw fish) from live seafood. In this Japanese culinary technique, the most popular sea animal used is fish, but octopus, shrimp, and lobster may also be used. The practice is controversial owing to concerns about the animal's suffering, as it is seemingly alive when served.
> The restaurant may have one or several tanks of live sea animals for a customer to choose from. There ar...
Note, at the end of the latter, other references:
> [@](#):
>
> See also
> Odori ebi, shrimp eaten alive in Japanese cuisine
> Drunken shrimp, shrimp eaten alive in Chinese cuisine
> Sannakji, octopus eaten alive in Korean cuisine
> Ying Yang fish, partially deep-fried fish eaten alive in mainland China and Taiwanese cuisine
_Partially deep-fried fish eaten alive_. This _has_ to win some sort of award for Cruelest Possible Food. It’s on a par with Hannibal Lector’s eating Ray Liotta’s parts.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/10 "2012-08-29T12:09:25Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> Davr Barry wrote about it in his book _Dave Barry Does Japan_, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t try it. I doubt if he actually saw it.
> This page claims it’s for real:
>
> [http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/sushi\_living.html](http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/sushi_living.html)
Wow, thanks. My brother was my source. He ws correct, it seems.
Pesonally, I’ve broiled lobster that moved for the initial cooking period. The lobster is clevered in half sagittaly, then placed (cut surface facing the flame) under the broiler. The lobster has to be watched and repositioned initially as it squirms for a bit.
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### Author:  [@Rubixcube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubixcube)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/11 "2012-08-29T12:09:26Z")
> [@kayaker](#):
>
> I have heard about sushi sliced table-side from a live fish. I heard this from a credible source, but does anyone know if it is really true?
It’s true, it’s called Ikizukuri. The fished is sliced on the table and continues to move as the diners eat. Supposedly there’s a similar practice in China done with donkeys called huo jia lu. Where the donkey is secured and sliced while alive and screaming and then immediately served raw. I say supposedly since the earliest link I can find is to Cracked and they don’t link to anything really reputable in that article. Still I wouldn’t consider these to be “eaten live and moving” since the flesh is separated from the animal, cruel yes but technically alive for the eater.
ETA: Ninja’d
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/12 "2012-08-29T12:13:44Z")
Here are videos of these foods, _including Yin-Yang Fish_!!
[http://holidays--travel.com/2011/01/extreme-food-casu-marzu-ikizukuri-sannakji-ying-yang-fish/](http://holidays--travel.com/2011/01/extreme-food-casu-marzu-ikizukuri-sannakji-ying-yang-fish/)
This seems unbelievably nasty to me – “not only are we going to serve this fish to you alive, but first we’re gonna deep fry it! And not kill it!”
Goes _way_ beyond “the fish can’t even _feel_ the hook in its mouth!”
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/13 "2012-08-29T12:18:33Z")
> [@Rubixcube](#):
>
> It’s true, it’s called Ikizukuri. The fished is sliced on the table and continues to move as the diners eat. Supposedly there’s a similar practice in China done with donkeys called huo jia lu. Where the donkey is secured and sliced while alive and screaming and then immediately served raw. I say supposedly since the earliest link I can find is to Cracked and they don’t link to anything really reputable in that article. Still I wouldn’t consider these to be “eaten live and moving” since the flesh is separated from the animal, cruel yes but technically alive for the eater.
>
> ETA: Ninja’d
I tried looking up the Live Donkey Sushi, but couldn’t find anything under the Chinese name you give. The other links are the Cracked link and other links I don’t find fully trustworthy.
Mind, I’m not saying people wouldn’t do this. I just can’t find a reliable link.
> **[Have You Ever Thought About Eating a Live Donkey?](https://ramblelust.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/have-you-ever-thought-about-eating-a-live-donkey/)**
>
> This dish originates from China, supposedly from the northern provinces. Basically, for this dish, the main ingredient is a donkey…well, a live donkey to be exact. Its legs and head are tied to a p…
Cracked link:
> **[The 6 Most Sadistic Dishes From Around The World](https://www.cracked.com/article_16951_the-6-most-sadistic-dishes-from-around-world.html)**
>
> Most of you love a good steak or some fried chicken or, hell, both at the same time. And it's no secret that the life of an animal headed for the slaughterhouse isn't all smiles and happy songs.
> But sometimes you run across a dish that requires that...
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/14 "2012-08-29T12:20:32Z")
Interesting question, given this thread’s topic:
> **[Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](https://www.yahoo.com/)**
>
> Latest news coverage, email, free stock quotes, live scores and video are just the beginning. Discover more every day at Yahoo!
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/15 "2012-08-29T12:26:45Z")
Ahh, here’s a referenc on the donkey sushi, along with a bit about eating live mice:
[http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2004/0219/cu18-1.html](http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2004/0219/cu18-1.html)
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### Author:  [@Rubixcube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubixcube)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/16 "2012-08-29T12:29:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> I tried looking up the Live Donkey Sushi, but couldn’t find anything under the Chinese name you give. The other links are the Cracked link and other links I don’t find fully trustworthy.
>
> Mind, I’m not saying people wouldn’t do this. I just can’t find a reliable link.
> [Have You Ever Thought About Eating a Live Donkey? | E X P L O R E](http://ramblelust.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/have-you-ever-thought-about-eating-a-live-donkey/)
>
> Cracked link:
>
> [The 6 Most Sadistic Dishes From Around The World | Cracked.com](http://www.cracked.com/article_16951_the-6-most-sadistic-dishes-from-around-world.html)
Yep that’s why I included the disclaimer. It’s something that I wouldn’t be surprised if true, but with all the “cruel cuisine” urban legends that go around about Asia and China specifically it’s impossible to tell. I’ve been searching around Snopes for something but without luck.
ETA:
> [@CalMeacham](#):
>
> Ahh, here’s a referenc on the donkey sushi, along with a bit about eating live mice:
>
> [http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2004/0219/cu18-1.html](http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2004/0219/cu18-1.html)
That’s the link from Cracked, I didn’t notice that it’s a newspaper until now. _sigh_ I was hoping this one wasn’t true since it’s so goddamn cruel.
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### Author:  [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/17 "2012-08-29T12:30:19Z")
I once went to a festival in the South of France with a bunch of friends, and we went to a very busy seafood restaurant. Everyone was ordering these seafood platters, which consisted of two large flat bowls, containing Oysters, Clams and various other molluscs.
It basically looked like it had all just been scooped out of a rock pool. Everything was completely raw, and much of it looked like it was still alive (not always easy to tell with shellfish). Halfway through the meal, a clam shell opened up, and a baby crab came out and walked off the plate.
Still ate it all though. When in Rome, and all that. It wasn’t completely disgusting, but at the same time, I’ve not really gone out of my way to recreate the experiece.
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### Author:  [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/18 "2012-08-29T12:38:28Z")
What? No one mentioning the live monkey brains?
Monkey secured in special table with cranium poking through centre, top of skull removed, brains eaten while monkey still alive!
Very expensive meal, served only in Hong Kong. The monkey brains reportedly have magical powers to revitalize, blah, blah, same old story.
Have never seen it. Have heard of it, and met people who swear they witnessed it.
I still think it’s more myth than reality.
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/19 "2012-08-29T13:05:43Z")
> [@elbows](#):
>
> What? No one mentioning the live monkey brains?
>
> Monkey secured in special table with cranium poking through centre, top of skull removed, brains eaten while monkey still alive!
>
> Very expensive meal, served only in Hong Kong. The monkey brains reportedly have magical powers to revitalize, blah, blah, same old story.
>
> Have never seen it. Have heard of it, and met people who swear they witnessed it.
>
> I still think it’s more myth than reality.
Ahhh! Doctor Jones! Fresh monkey brains!
I note that in _Indians Jones and the Temple of Doom_ the monkey heads are severed, and thus not alive.
I’ve heard of the live monkey brains, thing, too, although I haven’t met anyone who said they saw it. Thomas Berger includes the story as a throwaway in his book _Arthur Rex_. I’ve extremely skeptical myself. But the mere fact that the legend exists can, I suspect, tempt someone into trying it.
Can you get Mad Monkey Disease or some kind of _kuru_ from eating uncooked monkey brains?
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### Author:  [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-eaten-alive-and-moving/633015/20 "2012-08-29T13:15:48Z")
I’ve been to fraternity parties where small live goldfish were provided and swallowed whole by adventurous partygoers.
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