A Japanese restaurant received its most unusual request for food since opening.

A couple ordered two kilograms of pickled plums to be delivered to their home - in Detroit, Michigan.

The pair contacted Oki-Nami, in Church Road, Hove, after seeing the restaurant's website which offers a mail-order service via the Internet.

The American couple wanted to buy some koume plums to put in Martini drinks and after a quick search on their computer found theHove restaurant

would meet their needs perfectly.

The restaurant immediately sent off a couple of boxes of the plums for just under £10 - plus £38 postage - which arrived in the United States two days later.

Owner Mike Dodds said: "We've had the website running for about four years and it's been very successful, but we've never had an order from abroad before. It's strange considering all the Japanese restaurants there must be over there.

"We've had people who've come from Horsham to pick up a take-away and someone in Nottingham who wanted to order some sushi until we explained to them we only served it fresh and it wouldn't get there in time."

The business, which opened in 1994, was one of the first Japanese restaurants outside London to offer a mail-order service.

Mr Dodds added: "This should hopefully keep the couple in martinis for a long time."

The restaurant's website can be reached on:

www.oki-nami.co.uk

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