Eating Something That Might Taste Better Than the Legendary Tsuchinoko from "METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER" – My Collab Café: Menu 080

Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 006 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

Hello everyone, this is Tetsuya Oonishi, the Cooking Entertainer.
Welcome to “My Collaborative Café,” where professional chefs cook up dishes from video games with genuine passion, or I conduct my own expert-style evaluations and unveil them. Please enjoy this month’s installment as well.

This time, we’re featuring “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER,” released on August 28, 2025.
It’s a remake of the legendary title “METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER,” originally launched in 2004 for PS2—and now this fan-favorite entry from the series has been reborn.

The remake, “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER,” released on August 28, 2025 Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 008 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

The graphics deliver an astonishing level of realism—capturing even the rustle of jungle leaves and soldiers’ breathing. The impact of gunfire, visible knife wounds—all contribute to a truly immersive experience. Most importantly, fans have praised it as “the ideal remake” for preserving the original story without unnecessary alterations.

Originally, “SNAKE EATER” was renowned for its epic narrative—bigger than any movie or novel—and unforgettable enemies and side characters, combined with intense survival gameplay. With extensive replay value, this remake adds new mini-games and additional content, making it enjoyable both for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

One of the standout features is the survival element: not just defeating enemies, but also gathering weapons and food on-site to stay alive. You’ll encounter frogs, crocodiles, fish, mushrooms, fruits, and numerous snakes. The most shocking part? Even the legendary cryptid “Tsuchinoko” appears as a potential meal target. In-game, you learn it has a body “as thick as a beer bottle” but with a slender tail. As a culinary researcher, I was eager to try it—but unfortunately, I couldn’t obtain one this time.

Instead, I prepared the toadfish, commonly found in Japanese coastal waters. It closely resembles snakes in appearance and pattern, even sharing the painful bite (though honestly, bites from anything usually hurt). Often mistaken for a sea snake, it’s actually more closely related to eels. Though not widely known as edible, it’s enjoyed in regions like Kochi Prefecture—and is remarkably delicious.

Toadfish has sharp teeth and uniquely structured bones, making traditional three-filet preparation impossible—it requires special knife techniques, so butchering this fish is extremely difficult Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 001 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

I studied extensively beforehand and double-checked each step during the process—still, it was incredibly challenging. But once I tasted it… I couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is too delicious!!” Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 002 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

After removing the bones and skin, thinly sliced into sashimi, it has no fishy odor. With each bite, its firm texture bursts with rich umami—so much so that it evokes images of premium pufferfish. Honestly, I found it even more delicious than pufferfish itself Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 003 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

Grilled with sauce, the skin becomes crisp and golden while the flesh stays plump. The gelatinous substance melts into concentrated flavor, delivering a powerful texture with each bite. The fat is just right—never greasy or heavy. Personally, I felt even more satisfied than with eel Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 004 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

And it was equally amazing when prepared in the style of hibachi-style rice bowl Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 005 / Eating something possibly tastier than the legendary chupacabra from “METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER.” My Collaborative Café: Menu 080

“METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER” isn’t just an action game—it’s a rare title where eating to survive is deeply woven into the story and gameplay experience. By following this spirit, I truly experienced the realism of survival by preparing and consuming “the fish most similar to a snake” in real life.

How did you like this theme? If you found it interesting or tried making these dishes yourself, please share your photos on social media using hashtags like #MyCollaborativeCafe and #COCOCORO. See you next time—until then!

■■ Tetsuya Oonishi (Cooking Entertainer) ■■
Sometimes a culinary researcher, sometimes a YouTuber for the “COCOCORO Channel,” but ultimately… I’m an entertainer whose mission is to bring joy through cooking! Preparing toadfish was truly tough. The bone structure is so complex—like divine mischief—that I honestly didn’t want to try it again. Yet, despite that struggle, he said it was incredibly delicious—and now he’s torn between regret and delight. I really hope he shares more ways of preparing this fish!

※Next feature scheduled for October 25, 2025