Publisher: HarperCollinsGenre: Popular Culture/Food/Japan/narrative non-fiction
Price: $29.95 (CAD)
On Sale: 5/29/2007
Formats: E-Book | Hardcover
The Zen of Fish on NPR
Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...Sushi as the world knows it today probably had its origins in the 1600's on the streets of Kyoto. It was made by spreading vinegared rice in a box, laying whole fillets of fish on the top and compressing it with heavy stones for a few days. It was then cut into pieces like a cake.
When a terrible fire destroyed most of Edo (today's Tokyo), workers from outside the city swarmed into Edo to rebuild it. These men needed something to eat so stalls sprang up all over Edo serving "hot noodle soup", but in 1686 to prevent another fire, authorities outlawed the noodle soup and as a result vendors switched to making the Kyoto "quick sushi" which didn't require any heat in the preparation. As Edo grew and became one of Japan's major cities, so did the Sushi stalls. As time went on, the technique was modified to allow for quick preparation and by 1818, some Sushi chefs started making hand-squeezed Sushi called "nigeri" (from the Japanese for "nigiru" meaning to squeeze).
In this way, Trevor Corson, in his book "Zen of Fish" traces the social and cultural history, evolution, preparation and development of the humble Sushi from Tokyo to the US, using a California sushi academy (that trains would-be American Sushi chefs) as a backdrop. It's a clever narrative strategy because Corson uses each lesson as a jumping-off point for a discussion on sushi and fun little digressions about the ecology, biology and behavior of some of the fish used in sushi.
Truly, this book is a treasure-trove for foodies or anyone interested in Japan or Japanese food, and Corson's easy and conversational writing style makes this a hugely entertaining and informative read. I swear after you read this book you will enter into a Sushi bar with a confident swagger. I would also urge you visit Corson's blog, it is packed with fun information which you won't want to miss.
I just want to leave you with a few tasty morsels that I picked up from this feast of a book:
1. First off, the word "Sushi" doesn't refer to the raw fish, instead it refers to the vinegar-seasoned rice.2.The California roll is an American invention which is just getting popular in Japan. Corson writes that when a Japanese chef working in the US couldn't get toro (fatty tuna belly) for his Japanese customers, he combined avocado and crab meat to re-create its appealing oiliness and thus was born the much-loved California Roll.
3. We are all under the impression that sushi is healthy and low in fat compared with other fast foods but a sushi takeout box at a supermarket could easily contain as many calories as two slices of pizza! pg 27
4.Sushi should be picked up with the fingers (preferably)- and eaten in one bite. The fish should touch the tongue before the rice does and shouldn't be slathered with soy sauce and wasabi. (this point has been edited since publishing this post...I had said chopsticks should not be used, but turns out chopsticks are OK, too) pg 321
5. In real-life Japan, sushi is a man's world. The most common argument against women sushi chefs is that a woman's hands being warmer than a man's will cook the raw fish simply by handling it. Sushi is a man's world on the customer side of the bar too..a Japanese woman who walks in to eat by herself will be made to feel most unwelcome pg 53
6. Sushi bars are almost passe on the West Coast where they first started out, but have become almost as ubiquitous as hot dogs in the Midwest...even Wal-Mart seems to have got into the act with sushi counters installed in some of their Texas stores pg 133
For more surprising Sushi Facts go here
I would love to know how you feel about Sushi..do you love it or hate it? ( I can't imagine anyone being indifferent to Sushi). If you love it what is your favorite sushi to eat? I love the one with freshwater eel (picture above) it is absolutely delicious! When you go to a Sushi restaurant, do you sit at the bar or do you prefer to hide out in a booth like I do? :) And finally, if you went to a restaurant where the sushi chef was not Japanese, would you still be tempted to order the sushi, or do you, like many other people, think Sushi must be prepared by a Japanese chef? And do you have any surprising sushi facts to contribute? Or any sushi stories to share?
54 comments:
This looks a very interesting read, I just love Sushi. I eat mine with chopsticks, OOPS.......
Lovely pictures Anjali. I feel hungry.......
haha, Sylvia, now you know not to! ;)
Actually most everyone in the US uses chopsticks, I do too, and most sushi chefs pack the rice tightly because they know that we do! ;)
p.s. Will be mailing "Peony" to you tomorrow or on Thursday. So sorry for the delay but it was the long weekend as you know. Hope you had a good one?
I have to be honest here. I've never tried sushi. It just doesn't appeal to me at all. I love all sorts of fish, but I can't bring myself to eat it raw. My daughter loves those California Rolls (which makes a bit of sense since she grew up in San Diego!).
I had to laugh when I first saw your post. This book is everywhere! We were de-stickering it yesterday at work (it went of sale) and then today I saw a big stack on a display table. It's EVERYWHERE! :)
Great post! I love sushi, both maki and nigiri, raw and cooked. I've never been a fan of California rolls, but right now, I'm loving it, as it is one of the few types sushi I can eat while pregnant. I make it myself occasionally, but even with the bamboo roller thing, it can be really hard (and the amount of rice in them is really deceiving)!
I'm surprised the california roll is gaining popularity in Japan. It certainly wasn't when I was there, but that was 7 years ago. I wonder if it's only popular with the younger generation, or everyone?
Bento boxes from Sushi on Bloor, a trendy sushi restaurant here in Toronto, were a huge part of my adolescence. We didn't know many other restaurants that would give us an entire meal, including tea, soup, and green tea ice cream, for only $7.
I like avocado, crab, salmon, and tuna, but I can't stand cucumber---it tastes a bit like gasoline smells, to me.
Another captivating and thoroughly interesting post Lotus! While I love sushi and we have had a Japanese friend of ours once show us how to make sushi, I know so little about it and how it evolved.
I find not just food but also the history behind how it evolved and changed to accomodate palates not just in the country of origin but also in other nations to be very fascinating.
But now thanks to your post I feel like I know a whole lot more about it.
re: #4. I did not know sushi was meant to be picked up with fingers. And this is truly blasphemous. I cannot use chopsticks so I use fork and a knife to eat my sushi..go figure :)
re: #5. That a woman's hand is warmer and will cause the raw fish to cook is just..umm baloney :)In a a lot of respects I do find Japanese culture and society truly fascinating though.
lol@ sushi counters in Texas! Man dem cowboys that be eating that sushi ain't real cowboys I tell ya ;)
To answer your Q about sushi. I love all kinds and don't have a favorite. I sit in a booth but that is because I like my space :). I don't think sushi has to be made by a Japanese chef, as long as it is good it does not matter.
A sushi fact..I read in the NYTimes
some days ago that the increasing demand for sushi in countries like China is causing a depletion in Tuna stocks.
And a sushi story from a former colleague of mine in New York. He is a Marathi guy so not sure how this translates but here goes..I asked him since he was visiting NYC, if he would like to try some sushi. His response (he had tried sushi once and was recounting his experience) "Nako, nako.. arrey kasli ti sushi, saala kachaa masa khayla ghaltat" which sort of translates as "No no, no sushi, they bloody fed us raw fish!!!!". He had a complete look of horror on his face as he told me this. This memory always makes me smile. :)
As a foodie I am sure I will love this book.
And sorry about the rather long comment, but your post was just very god and fun and I love how you get us your readers to participate with you. Thanks!
Hmm. I live in Japan, and I've never seen anyone eat sushi with their fingers here.
My family goes out for sushi quite a bit. We usually go to rotary sushi restaurants - the fast food of sushi - where little plates of sushi go around on a conveyor belt, and the bill is calculated by adding up the plates.
I like maguro, salmon tataki, and salmon roe the best.
The book sounds interesting, by the way.
Lotus, I always learn something new from your posts :)
I don't like Sushi and never tried either(can you believe it?)but your pics are provoking me to try Sushi sometime soon :)
Stay Beautiful...!!
You know I almost picked up this book last week, but then decided its too many pages of reading just about sushi !
Believe it or not, I'm actually indifferent to sushi. Im not a big fan, but I don't hate it either. Lets just say, given a choice between sushi and say a great teriyaki preparation, i would choose the latter.
My son always makes a stop at the sushi counter at our local market.
Thanks for an excellent review of what looks like a really entertaining book.
What a delicious post, Lotus. I am almost ashamed to admit I have never tasted sushi. It's one of those things I have been dying to taste for a while now. Your post gives me just the impetus I needed. :)
Anjali
Thanks for sending the book..will let you know when it arrives. Had a great week-end.....new puppy....will send pics
BTW, love Sanjay's comments as always...what a guy.......
Hi, Les!!!
I don't blame you...it took me quite a while before I could bring myself to eat Sushi, but once I started there was no looking back! :)
This is a great book and apparently it is being well promoted too! Is it flying off the shelves where you are? I'd be curious to know how it fares...I suppose it will do better in areas where people love their sushi? If you ever do bring yourself to try sushi, you will have to let us know! :)
Hi, Nyssaneala!
I'm with you, I've never really been a fan of the "rolls", I much prefer nigeri, but then, the rolls are getting quite exotic and sometimes the combinations on display do make me want to try them. Never tried making sushi at home...I think if I discover the amount of rice used, it might turn me off. Even though I am from India where rice is a staple, I'm not a big rice eater!
Hi, Poodlerat!
I have to visit "Sushi on Bloor"! We're always on the lookout for nice sushi restaurants and bars, so thanks! Bloor Street is fascinating, they also have some great Korean Bbq restaurants there, don't they?
Tuna is a favorite of mine, too. The other fish I enjoy are Yellowtail and eel, I love eel!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi, Sanjay!
Thank you for your interesting comment! You know how to make sushi from scratch? That's cool, you should do a post about it, you know? Do you have the requisite bamboo mat?
Yes, this book, while it is about Sushi, is so much more besides...it's a wonderful look into Japanese history and culture and how the US has embraced Japanese cooking.
You eat sushi with a fork and knife??? That's truly blasphemous,lol! I hope you don't do the same with your "idlis"...we desis might have to disown you..just kidding!
Yeah, women find it very difficult to make inroads into the world of sushi in Japan which is a male bastion...another argument against women sushi chefs is that a woman's make-up and perfume can ruin the sushi. What I find really odd though is how a single woman is treated at a Sushi bar...she is never made to feel very welcome.
You said:
A sushi fact..I read in the NYTimes
some days ago that the increasing demand for sushi in countries like China is causing a depletion in Tuna stocks.
Is it true that they still haven't found a way to farm or cultivate Tuna? I guess, if that is a fact, sustainable fishing for Tuna is the only way to go. In the meantime I can see toro sushi becoming an expensive item on the sushi menu! No, wonder venison sushi is gaining popularity, I doubt I would ever eat it though!
lol@ your Marathi friend! It's true, many people have the notion that sushi is an offering of raw fish and rice. You have to search him out and give him a copy of this book Sanjay, he will never look at sushi the same way again! :)
Hey, and thank you for the long comment..wouldn't have it any other way, and I ask questions only because I am nosy and for no other reason! :)
@Lotus.. Thank you for your reply. We have a version of the bamboo mats. Yes I may do a post some day (far in to the future) :)
You said..
I hope you don't do the same with your "idlis"..
I do!!! Time to disown me. :-)
I find those reasons given for keeping women away from being sushi chefs to be just another male bastion being defended with some reason or another. Its sad that a single woman is not made welcome at a sushi bar.
True..depleting fish stocks are causing folks to turn to a different kind of meat, and like you I would have a problem eating venison too. There is some tuna coming from tuna raised in pens but I am not sure what proportion that is. Does the book talk about this at all?
Oh ya. My Marathi friend has hopefully changed. But something about sushi just turns people away. But this book surely sounds like an eye opener.
I ask questions only because I am nosy and for no other reason!
And what you call nosy I would characterize as inquisitiveness and a desire to know more, which I think are most excellent traits to have. :)
Hello, gaijin Mama!
Yes, I have heard that from someone else too(that sushi is eaten with chopsticks in Japan). I guess a good nigiri is supposed to melt in the mouth and that will happen only if the rice grains are packed loosely as opposed to firmly, and picking up loosely-packed nigiri with chopsticks is a nightmare. I guess people use chopsticks to prevent the smell of fish from sticking to their fingers? But sushi is the ultimate finger food, na? Not Sashimi though! :)
I have never visited a Sushi bar with conveyor belts...would love to try one some afternoon! Also, I have never eaten sushi with salmon roe, definitely going to order some the next time. What kind of fish is Maguro?
@Sugarlips ~ How about this? When you come to Toronto next I will take you to a sushi bar. Would love to be present when you take your first bite! :)
@Radha ~ True! Teppenyaki and meat marinated in Teriyaki sauce do have a huge fan following! I am a fan of the Japanese curry myself. Do pick up the book if you can, it's a great read!
@Bybee ~ Your so welcome! Owing to its proximity to Japan, sushi must be very popular in Korea, no?
@Bhaswati ~ I hope the post has enticed you into trying a little sushi! Let me know if you do! :)
@Sylvia ~ Oh yes, please do send me the new puppy pictures!!! lol, yes, I once asked Sanjay if he was as talkative in person as he is on the blog and he claims he is...we will have to find out! :)
And Lotus hope you didn't mind that I respond to Hollydolly here?
BTW, love Sanjay's comments as always..
If I could blush I would. Thank you Sylvia, you are so kind!
Very interesting book review! I have only had sushi once and it's not really for me. I guess I don't understand the appeal. I once went to a Japanese restaurant with a group who wanted to eat sushi (I was planning on ordering teriyaki). Fortunately the restaurant was too busy, because the fish smell was overpowering and I was literally gagging. I don't think there should be any odor at all - is that right?
This sounds like fun! To answer your question to gaijin mama, maguro is tuna, it's called toro (which is further graded on the amount of marbling) when it's the fatty part.
I like sushi but I'm not terribly adventurous. I don't like the chewy ones like octopus or squid, and I'm not terribly fond of salmon roe or some of the other textures like uni (sea urchin). So my favourites are usually tuna in all it's varieties, salmon, scallops, bonito.
Depends on our mood, sometimes we'll sit at the counter, sometimes a table. It's fun to watch them make them.
California roll is increasingly available but usually as takeout sushi from supermarkets, sushi restaurants don't usually have it that I've seen.
H won't eat the 'weird' Westernized versions, especially when we were living in the UK he thought they were just wrong and stuck to the 'proper' ones! :P
I did know all the facts you mentioned (well, except #6) but I, and many Japanese, still usually use chopsticks to eat them.
I just posted a funny parody of how to eat sushi on my blog that you might enjoy. :)
Haha! I've been eating sushi right all this time. It's just easier to eat it with one's hands.
I'm rather fond of the California roll althought no one outside of California seems to make it right. LOL!
Hi Lotus,I am back to bug you!
I have never tried Sushi in my life girl! I know I know!;P
Loved some facts about Sushi! I always thought Raw fish too.Thanks for those indeed:))
the hands v chopsticks issue may be clouded by the huge variety of sushi in Japan.
Certainly, the kind of sushi you feature in your pics is meant to be eaten in one mouthful with chopsticks. But onigiri is definitely a hand to mouth affair with temakizushi (hand rolled sushi with an outer layer of seaweed) can be eaten either way.
I never saw anyone in six years in Japan eat the stereotypical sushi with their hands.
I may have missed it, but has anyone mentioned this VIDEO? That'll tell you all you need to know!
@Lotus..you said to Sylvia
I once asked Sanjay if he was as talkative in person as he is on the blog and he claims he is...we will have to find out
Be careful what you wish for. :-)
I love love love sushi. A couple of months ago, I took my friend of Hong Kong extraction out for her first sushi. As she eats smoked salmon, I was merciful and started her out on spicy salmon maki.
Mhy favourite sushi roll is maki, but I am ok with the others now and don't find them as pointless as I once did.
Personally I adore eel. I also like the shrimp tempura, fried salmon skin, or softshell crab, especially when the rice is rolled in tobiko (flying fish roe that pops delightfully on the tongue).
Come to think of it, practically any fish in a maki roll makes me happy now!
a delectable post, lotus!
my kids are fond of telling strangers that "my mommy eats fish eggs."
mackerel is my favorite. that and salmon roe.
yum!
Interesting! I always thought there was just 1 type of sushi lol=P
You're right! I don't think anyone can be indifferent to sushi! The thought of eating raw fish makes me ill. I can't handle the germ parasite risk. I'm a sushi wimp and only eat the California Roll!
I love the pictures too! ; )
@Sanjay ~ Be careful what I wish for? lol I know both you and *A* travel for work a lot so if you guys happen to find yourselves in my neck of the woods, you know I would be delighted to play host to the both of you! I hope you will visit!
@Tara ~ No, fresh fish has no smell, so, you're right, there should have been no fishy odor....hope your next visit to a sushi bar is nicer!
@Nat ~ Thank you for letting me know what the various tunas are called, fascinating! I have never tasted squid or sea urchin sushi, because, like you, I don't like anything chewy or with a texture I am not familiar with, but I find myself wishing hubby would order some, that way, I can just have a taste without having to eat the whole thing.
I wonder what the Japanese think of the American-invented sushi? From what you see, is California roll at all popular?
I loved the video and left you a rather long comment! :)
Have you seen this book in the bookstores in Japan yet?
@pussreboots ~ lol, yes, and now, with the popularity of Sushi in the Midwest, I cannot help but wonder what sushi inventions they are going to come up with!
@Asha ~ You have to try Sushi...all foodies have to try it atleast once! Maybe you can marinate your fish with some tandoori spice and called it Indian Sushi? :)
@Arukiyomi ~ Thank you for the link to the video...funnily enough, Trevor Corson mentions this video in his book and I just took a look at it on Nat's blog. It's quite hilarious and I love the way they poke fun at the rigid Japanese etiquette. You know, I was one of those people that presumed the Japanese ate at a sushi bar at least once a day or once every two days, lol! All of you living in Japan have pointed out that the Japanese use chopsticks to eat sushi so I have amended point # 4. Thank you for your input!
@Olivia ~ Ok, the next time I am at a Sushi bar I am going to try the "maki" roll and preferably with flying fish roe, I love the idea of fish roe popping delightfully on my tongue! London must have some great sushi bars!!!
@Melissa ~ Yum@ mackerel, it is definitely a very tasty fish...in India we fry it to a crisp and eat it with rice and lentils! :) Now, look what you've done, Melissa, you've made me hungry and it's only 7:40am. :)
@'Nefty ~ You'll love this book then, you'll be amazed at how many types of Sushi there are! Thank you for the visit!
@Anali ~ You could have fooled me,lol! I would bet my last dollar you were a sushi aficionado!
Lotus, Thank you so much for the invite. *A* does have family near your neck of the woods so if we do visit, will be sure to take you up on your kind offer.
And if you do visit NYC, Baltimore or Philly we are very close, we would both love it if all of you visited us. :-) I might even subject you to my cooking :) Did I scare ya'll off? :)
hi lr
what a terrific review.though i am a hardcore veggie,your review has definitely tempted me to read this book by trevor corson.the information on the evolution and appeal of sushi is very interesting.a subject about which i will like to know more.people at home may rest assured that i will not give in to the fishing bait.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I see Arukiyomi also pointed it out to you. It is pretty funny!
Like I mentioned I usually only see California roll as take out sushi from supermarkets or perhaps at a cheap kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi shop that caters to kids who don't usually like all the varieties and textures that adults do.
I haven't noticed the book, but I'll have to look for it the next time I'm in a bookshop.
You know, I've seen this book around quite a lot but I've been undecided about whether I wanted to read it. I've never been a big fan of sushi, even after I lived in Japan for a year. If I had to choose, I prefer sashimi (the fish without the rice) over sushi. But I've recently developed an interest in reading about food and you've made this sound very intriguing. I think I'll be picking this one up. Thanks!
I live in LA, where sushi is still ubiquitous, but not in vogue any more. My husband loves it, though--and love of sushi is a bit obsessive, I think--so he has to go every one in awhile. I don't feel the same need, so he recruits my older son and they go to our local place. They don't go to the bar, but I think they should...I think it would be more fun for my son!
Great review! I love Sushi and I don't really care who the chef is so long he serves me sushi. I have never eaten it with my fingers, so that was an interesting bit of information you provided. My favorite is Onigiri which i now make at home.
I loooooooooooooooooooove sushi. It's my little splurge every time I grow to the grocery store, especially the swanky grocery store. :)
My favorite is probably the California Roll, just because that's hard to mess up.
The great thing about conveyor belt sushi is you don't have to preplan your ordering. You just grab a plate and go. If you want more, grab another plate. The other great thing is that you end up trying more, because you just grab what looks good.
I'm happy to know it's OK to eat with my fingers. When in public, I eat with chopsticks, but at home, I eat with my fingers. Nice to know I'm not too uncouth!
@Sanjay ~
If you tempt me with your cooking, I am going to pack our bags and head for your place immediately. Over the years we have all seen what a fine chef you are so, yes, please feed us! :)
@gs ~ You will love this book! And you've got to try some vegetarian sushi, it's quite easily available I would imagine. Lovely to see you here!
@Nat - Have you tasted "tamago yaki" or sweet egg omelet? Corson describes it in his book and it sounds so yummy! I asked for it at two Japanese restaurants we went to recently but neither one had it on their menu :(
@JS Peyton ~ If you have an interest in the social history of food, this is definitely a book you will want to read and add to your collection. It is packed to the brim with information about sushi, and the side stories about the fish used, their habitat, behaviors etc, make for very interesting reading! I now want to get this author's previous book "The Secret Life of Lobsters". Happy you visited, thank you!
@Gentle Reader ~ Yes, although Sushi was introduced to America on the west coast, it is a little passe there now. THe Sushi bar will intrigue your son. If you go to Corson's website he lays out what one should and shouldn't do at a sushi bar...it makes for interesting reading. Here's the link:
http://www.trevorcorson.com/sushi/eat.html
@Id ~ Oh, Onigiri is good! What are your favorite fillings to use?
@Jenni ~ Yes, you're right about the conveyor belt sushi...you do end up trying many different kinds...I really must look for one in Toronto!
Wonderful blog, and your book recommendations are great! I love sushi sans the wasabi. My favorite is the spider roll.
Avocado, crab meat, salmon are a few of the fillings that are my favorites for onigiri. The whole process of making the onigiri balls is an enjoyable social eperience; makes for friends sitting around the kitchen table and making a meal of onigiris.
@lotus, thank you :) I assure you I am only a half decent cook, I would not call myself a chef. It would be a pleasure to throw our place open to you and your entire family, so please do visit with empty stomachs.:)
Wow Lotus I Loved this post!!!!
I absolutely love Sushi. I was aware about eating it with hands as opposed to fork as it is insulting to the chef! Of course, whenever I eat Sushi I use chopsticks as it might totally scandalize my American coworkers if I were to use my hands ;-) (I am only kidding!!!)
My favorite is Maki and love sashimi. I know I am so boring and predictable. I go absolutely easy on the Wasabi and might dip it in a little soy but I can lose count of how many of those little delights I can gorge...LOL!!!!!
Hi, somehow I chanced upon your blog - still don't know how. Very serious blog. I just had a cursory look and will be reading everything over the next few days and shall come back with substantive comments. Keep the good work going - Pramod
Great post, Lotus, I've heard about how wasabi is supposed to be used very sparingly and how in N. America spice-loving people often just cover up the subtle flavor of the fish with it. (I'm guilty of that)
Eel is my favorite as well served by anybody from anywhere, as long as they know what they're doing.
Love foodie books! :)
I love all sushi except sea urchin and sometimes mackerel is unappealing. I'm ok with sitting at the bar or in a booth. It's always a fun and yummy experience to eat sushi.
Wow, what a discussion! Sushi author Trevor here -- just noticed this on my Technorati scanner. Thrilled to have so much interest.
Someone asked about whether tuna can be farmed, and I wanted to mention that I have recently added a blog post on that very interesting question. Go to my website, click Sushi Blog, and scroll down to "New Type of Tuna."
Lotus, so glad you liked the book.
@Clickable ~ Thank you for visiting! I have never tried the spider roll, but may be the next time I go sushi tasting, I will. Thanks for the nice words about my blog...I did try visiting your blog in turn, but it wouldn't let me in!
@Id ~ I get it, in India we would have called it a sushi kitty party...cool! :)
@Sanjay ~ You are sweet! Who knows, one day we may just land up on your door step! :)
@Sai ~ You are so right, and that is the problem with Sushi, you can bite down on a large number of the rolls little realizing how much rice is packed into each one of them. Thanks for the visit!
@Pramod Kumar ~ Thank you for visiting all the way from Sri Lanka!
@Susan ~ I am guilty of using too much wasabi and soya myself,unless it's eel...the eel is usually flavored so well I don't need any other condiment. Nice to see you here!
@ml ~ It's so true...going out to eat sushi is always a fun experience, especially if you eat it at the bar and leave your choice of sushi up to the chef...
@Trevor Corson ~
Wow, this is such a nice surprise, thank you so much for writing in! Yes, as you can see we are all so intrigued with Sushi. Since reading your book I have visited quite a number of sushi restaurants and with each visit I try something new....your book gives me the confidence to do that.
Thanks for the heads up on the tuna farming, will head for the article "New Type of Tuna" soon!
Again, thank you so much for visiting!
I luurve sushi, and try and pick it up everywhere. Don't much like the prepacked sushi - it's rarely fresh.
Your question about the non-Japanese chef reminds me of the time when a Japanese viola player visited a sushi restaurant in Vilnius and addressed the Asian chef in Japanese - to discover he was Korean.
I love the freshwater eel, too - one of my favourites. Which is the one with the rubbery little feet - I hate that one. Eggy ones are also not great.
What fun! I love sushi and love reading about food, so this sounds like a perfect book for me. I'm off to add it to my BookMooch list as we speak!
oh my, that's really nice info...
i love sushi. in fact we just had sushi last thursday. so that's how it was made before. being new in this place, we've tried one jap resto so far...
and yep, i'd be glad to welcome you in my country and show you around...surprisingly, this new place we are living now is much closer to a volcano, mt. canlaon.
I want this book! Thanks for reviewing it! :D
Authentic Japanese restaurants are sooo expensive here. I do like sushi but not the sauce, and chopsticks are fun! hmmm, i don't think id sit in the bar. I'd probably be hiding in a booth too.
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