Livin’ Veg

NY Restaurant Uo Serves Diners Live Fish - Take Action February 2, 2010

The Japanese restaurant Uo in NYC serves a traditional Japanese dish, live sashimi. And when I say live, that’s exactly what I mean. Every Tuesday night - yes, today is Tuesday - chef David Bouhadana stuns the fish, slices them open and serves them to diners while the animal’s heart is still beating.

Let me say that again. The heart is still beating while the creature is on the plate. This article from Tastings Table describes the process as follows:

Bouhadana begins the process by making graceful slits along the fish’s flesh before picking it up and slamming it down on the cutting board, where it curls and seizes, rendering it firm to the bite–in some cases, almost crunchy.

Please call the restaurant, send a letter, or stop by and ask them (very politely) to please stop this inhumane process of serving fish. The very least we can do for animals is ensure that they are actually dead before people slice and bite into them.

Here is the contact info:

Sushi Uo,
151 Rivington St. (between Suffolk and Clinton sts.)
212-677-5470