yeah bonito is a big problem. even at the sushi place here, i ordered grilled eggplant and it came with a HUGE amount of bonito flakes on it. i was so bummed. my mom was a trooper and ate it but the bonito flakes... move.... it's weird, i think partly just swaying in the air cause they stick up all over, and partly because they were starting to dissolve on the hot food but they totally looked alive and totally grossed everyone out at the table hahaha. as soon as it was brought over to the table i recognized the flakes and was just like "awwww, poo i can't eat that" and everyone else was all *shock*horror*disgust* "what the heck is that?????" it was pretty funny
so not just in dashi but ON food also you have to be careful of bonito, they use it a lot as a garnish, even on tofu