SUSHI.... probably one of the most well known Japanese cuisine, and recognized as one of the most popular cuisine in the world. Sushi is one of many dishes in Japanese cusine, but same time their stance a bit different from others such as yakitori(grilled skewer), tempura and ramen. At least in my opinion sushi is almost considered as Japanese traditional culture, craft and art simply not just food. I would categorize with sumo wresling and judo in sports. They're from originally from Japan and people are really proud out of it. So they have really strict rules on the way it supposed to be. Sumo wresling have very strict rules and so sushi is.
In Japan if you try to learn sushi from top sushi restaurant, take long time, least 7 yrs I would say. First you learn how to wash dishes & scrabbing floor, then peeling vege, making rice, cutting vegetable... step by step, long way. Touching fishes and cutting fishes are last things you learn in the kitchen after long hard years. I would say sushi chef must be one of the most respected occupations in Japan, simply cause everyone knows how hard to become sushi chef.
Personally if I pick only one favorite food in the world, my answer will be "sushi". The beauty of sushi is the ultimate simplicity, raw fish, sushi rice, wasabi, soy sauce, nothing else really!! So simple, so perfect. I love sushi, but do I wanna be sushi chef? The answer is "NO", I love crazy rolls like softshell, tempura shrimp, eel... but beauty of REAL sushi(or Japanese traditional sushi) is simplicity, so in my opinion sushi definely should stay in certain format.
But on the other hand, my cusine I want to create now and future, I want no format or label. For example, if I can create aromatic flavorul air, I call it my cuisine and serve to my guest. That's my stance on my cuisine, people can call my dishes French, Japanese, molecualr gastronomy, but what I try to do is my food and nothing less, nothing more.
So... ANYWAY I had the opportunity to spend like 4 months learning sushi at RM seafood, was truely amazing. Josh, Ray, Mel and EJ... workers at RM sushi bar taught me the essntial skills on sushi. Was it REAL sushi in Japan? NO, I mean we don't have Cali roll or spicy tuna or even avocado in Japan!! But I believe the essential I learned here is great resource and sure help my inspirations on new dishes now and future. I enjoyed working at sushi bar full time. I would love to refine my sushi skills, so probably I'll try to keep working sushi bar every Sunday from now on, it gonna be fun. Sushi rocks!!Labels: RM seafood