Mondays are the pits. After a restorative weekend, you're forced back into reality and you feel like a lab rat stuck in a cubicle, studied for the effects fluorescent light has on skin. So after a looonnggg day at the office, all you want to do is unwind and get some sushi with your girls and weep into a tall glass of sake.
You might want to reconsider where you host this much-needed happy hour -- depending on where you tend to dine. Though sushi is delicious, and in some cases packed with healthy fats and fiber, sushi and other fish may not be at its freshest on the first day of the workweek. Since most fresh fish markets are closed on Sundays, many assume that Monday's seafood dinner is, well, a little fishy.
Yes, there are some contradicting opinions about eating fish and sushi on Mondays. In his book, "Kitchen Confidential," published in 2000, the ever-abrasive chef Anthony Bourdain writes that seafood served on Monday is "about four to five days old," and that he'd never eat it unless he knew the restaurant well. But, he redacts his statement in "Medium Raw," published in 2010, in which he writes, "But eat the fucking fish on Monday already. Okay? I wrote those immortal words about not going for the Monday fish, the ones that'll haunt me long after I'm crumbs in a can, knowing nothing other than New York City. And times, to be fair, have changed."
Still, Bourdain enforces that where you order your fish matters, and the dive bar isn't really the best spot to do so -- especially on a Monday. When it comes to eating seafood, your geographic location is something to consider. “If you're dining near the coast or at a restaurant known for outstanding seafood, you probably don't need to pay attention to the calendar," writes Cristen Conger for How Stuff Works. "But if, let's say, you're in Kansas City or Reno, saltwater fish must be shipped to the restaurant. Most fresh fish wholesalers can ship fish overnight, but that usually isn't going to happen on a Sunday.” This makes sense. For this reason, it's important to be cautious of fish "specials" or discounted sushi offered on Sundays or Mondays. The restaurant may be trying to rid their kitchens of fish on its last fins, while trying to make a profit.
Beyond a nausea-inducing stinky smell, there are health risks associated with eating fish that's past its prime. Raw fish may host parasites and bacteria that may lead to moderate illnesses with some uncomfortable side effects (think vomiting). The FDA enforces specific freezing procedures for most food establishments that serve fish raw. This process can help kill off some of the threatening parasites. So, if you're dining out at a restaurant that knows the rules and wants its patrons to enjoy their meal, you really have nothing to worry about -- no matter the day of the week.