I don't know which revolts me more, the gooey, stringy texture, or the spoiled, moldy smell and taste. I'd throw them out, but I don't have anything else to serve today. Too chewy for my tastes, unless it's extremely fresh. Takoyaki is more or less the same thing, with a chunk of vulcanized octopus meat in the middle. This means that food is a much bigger deal in America.
Food is a very important part of Japanese culture.
The tea ceremony is a famous example. I'm not sure there is any more ritualized eating and drinking exercise anywhere. Drinking and business are interlinked. If it weren't for social drinking, much Japanese business would never be conducted. My office had numerous enkai during the year.