Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi is a thought-provoking documentary film directed by Junichi Suzuki that explores the intersection of Japanese and American cuisine. The central focus of the documentary is the story of how sushi, once a relatively unknown delicacy in the United States, rose to become one of the most popular foods in the country, and how chefs like Tyson Cole, Esther de Rio and Isao Hatano revolutionized the way Americans think about Japanese food.
The film begins by exploring the historical roots of Japanese cuisine and how it has evolved over time. We see footage of traditional Japanese dishes being prepared in a variety of settings, from high-end restaurants to street vendors. Among the dishes on display are sushi, sashimi, tempura, and ramen, among others, each of which is imbued with a rich cultural tradition and history.
From there, the film moves to the United States, where we see how Japanese cuisine has been embraced by American chefs and diners alike. We learn about how sushi first arrived in America in the 1960s and became popularized in the 1980s, thanks in part to the rise of Japanese culture in the United States. We also learn about some of the challenges that Japanese chefs faced in trying to introduce Americans to their cuisine, including resistance and skepticism based on misconceptions about raw fish and other unfamiliar ingredients.
That's where chefs like Tyson Cole come in. Cole is the founder of the Austin-based sushi restaurant Uchi, which has become known for its innovative and creative culinary style. Through interviews and footage of his work, we get a sense of the passion and dedication that Cole brings to his craft. We see the meticulous care that he takes in selecting and preparing his ingredients, as well as the way he plays with different textures and flavors to create unforgettable dishes.
We also learn about Esther de Rio, another chef who has made a name for herself by blending Japanese and American cuisine. De Rio is the owner and chef of Moshi Moshi, a sushi restaurant in Miami that has won numerous awards for its inventive dishes. We see how she experimented with new ingredients and flavor combinations to create a unique culinary experience for her customers, even in the face of skepticism and pushback from the traditional sushi community.
Finally, the film introduces us to Isao Hatano, a sushi chef whose restaurant in Honolulu has been in operation for 60 years. Through Hatano's eyes, we see how sushi has evolved in America over the decades, from a niche delicacy to a mainstream staple. Hatano's restaurant itself is a symbol of this evolution, as it has had to adapt to changing tastes and trends in order to stay in business.
Throughout the film, we see how these chefs have created new and innovative dishes that challenge our expectations of what Japanese cuisine can be. From sushi rolls topped with Texas BBQ to ramen noodles infused with chili oil, these dishes reflect the melting pot of cultures that is the United States, and the willingness of chefs to experiment with new ideas and flavors.
But at the heart of Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi is a message about the importance of cultural exchange and understanding. The film celebrates the diversity of culinary traditions that exist in the world, and highlights the power of food to bring people together and bridge cultural divides.
Overall, Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi is a fascinating and engaging documentary that will appeal to foodies, history buffs, and anyone interested in the intersection of cultures. Through the stories of these innovative chefs, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich traditions and histories of Japanese and American cuisine, and the ways in which they are constantly evolving and blending together.
Wa-shoku: Beyond Sushi is a 2015 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.
