The History Of Sushi In 360 Words

Tony B | December 6, 2010 | 0 Comments

Sushi is one of the true Japanese dishes that makes full use of fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients.

Sushi does not mean raw fish, a completely raw slice of fish, beef or even game dipped in soy sauce are called Sashimi. Sushi as we know it now is a combination of vinegared rice with all sorts of other ingredients and vegetables.

Ironically nowadays sushi is a symbol of freshness, it was originally a means to preserve food. Fish and rice were packed together and left for months while the fermenting rice picked the fish. From 17th century, vinegar was applied to make life span longer. The strong-tasting Nare-Sushi is still made in this way, it can be seen and tasted at Lake Biwa near Kyoto.

Modern type Sushi, is known as Edome-sushi. It was introduced in early 19th century in Edo, which is now Tokyo. While Osaka, (the second largest city in Japan) is the home of Oshi-Sushi, seafood and rice pressed in wooden moulds. Specialties have also appeared outside Japan, like California Maki, nori, avocado and crab or fishcake rolled inside the rice, which is something coated with bright orange Tobikko.

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The best place to have sushi is under the eye of the sushi chef, in a traditional style of Japanese sushi restaurant. However, in 1958, the novel style of Sushi Restaurant appeared. It is called Kaiten sushi, and it inspired a large number of Japanese. With the appearance of the new style of Kaiten Sushi Restaurant, Sushi has more readily made it’s way to the table as ” easy enjoyable food ” rather than “high-priced food available only at traditional sushi bar”.

As for sushi outside of Japan, the first sushi restaurant was opened in the beginning of 20th century at Los Angels U.S.A. , it has been gradually accepted world wide. From 1980′s , world wide, Sushi is universally know as a quick snack food, not only a formal or occasional affair.

I think we can safely say, no other Japanese cuisine has penetrated the Western world like sushi. Now, everybody can easily enjoy sushi at a Kaiten sushi bar, Take away shop and traditional style sushi restaurant anywhere in the world.