Sushi has become one of the world’s trendiest delicacies in recent decades. This Japanese-origin food can be prepared in many different ways, so chefs around the world strive to offer the best combination of flavors and quality.
Its name is a word of Japanese origin and the union of two words: Su = Vinegar and Shi-Meshi = Rice, so sushi can be translated as Vinegared Rice.
Japan is an island surrounded by an ocean rich in plankton, so they enjoy an excellent variety of fish and seafood, which helps the excellence of sushi. But originally sushi is from China, not Japan. It started as a method of preservation, where rice and fish were cooked and left to ferment for a while. At first, only the fish was eaten. Several centuries later, this method of preservation came to Japan. As the Japanese preferred to eat rice with the fish, they began to eat it while the fish was still half raw and the rice had not lost its flavor, this sushi is called seiseizushi. Seiseizushi became a way of cooking rather than a method of preserving food.
In the mid-17th century, a doctor named Matsumoto Yoshichi came up with the idea of adding vinegar to rice. This greatly reduced the waiting time for consuming sushi. From the time sushi was introduced in Japan (8th century AD) until the 19th century, it has slowly changed. Hayazushi was born, where instead of using fermentation, the rice was mixed with vinegar and eaten with fish, vegetables, or canned food. In the 19th century, Hanaya Yohei invented nigirizushi. Nigirizushi is a type of sushi that does not require fermentation and could be eaten with the hands. This made sushi a fast, light, and nutritious food. At the end of the 20th century, with the rise of health awareness, sushi became popular worldwide. Another major factor in sushi known outside Japan was partly due to the migration of Japanese to other countries, including the USA. It was in 1910 when about 40,000 Japanese emigrated to America.
Nowadays, it is not difficult to find a good sushi restaurant; Chic Icon offers you a selection of the best sushi restaurants in the world.
Nobu
Founded by the Hollywood actor Robert De Niro and the star Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Nobu became the iconic brand when it comes to the best sushi and Japanese food. Refined Japanese food with a Peruvian twist is the best way to describe the delights that come out of Nobu’s kitchen. Its culinary innovation and elegant surroundings make this worldwide brand a global culinary icon. Enjoy celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s unique creations as signature miso black cod, premium wagyu beef, truffle edamame, lobster with shiso sauce, yellowtail jalapeño, and a wide range of the finest sushi.
Here you can find delicious food, a variety of drinks, including great cocktails, in a cozy atmosphere characterized by soft lighting and curved wicker panels in the style of fish traps lining the walls and ceiling that will amaze everyone.
Zuma
Japan’s trendy izakaya Zuma has branches all over the world. Some branches of this fine-dining restaurant’s brand are often listed among the world’s top 50 in the respected San Pellegrino list, which compares to the “Oscars of the culinary world”.
The modern Japanese cuisine is authentic but not traditional. The menu is extensive and enticing, showcasing a variety of dishes from its three kitchens: the main kitchen, the sushi counter, and the robata grill. Maintaining the Japanese izakaya-style, food is served for sharing. Dishes are brought to the table steadily, creating an informal yet sophisticated style of eating and drinking, with a contemporary twist. Choose from a full menu of Japanese classics such as miso-marinated black cod, sushi, sashimi, and a selection of smaller dishes.
SUSHISAMBA
At Sushisamba you will find the unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine. Drawing on these three distinct cultures, a tri-cultural coalition took root in the early 20th century, when thousands of Japanese emigrants traveled to the fertile land of South America to cultivate coffee plantations and find fortune. In cities such as Lima in Peru and São Paulo in Brazil, the integration of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cultures flourished.
Located in various top spots around the world in Las Vegas, London, Dubai, and soon in Doha, Riyadh, and Edinburgh; in Sushisamba you can enjoy extraordinary and unique culinary fusion.
Their menus always offer wonderful dining options. Japanese tempura and sushi; Brazilian churrasco and moqueca; Peruvian anticuchos and ceviche, plus fantastic and delicious cocktails.
Enjoy a special blend of flavors and sushi like you’ve never seen before.
Sukiyabashi Jiro
For true lovers of the most authentic sushi, this restaurant will be your favorite choice, even if it’s not easy to get to. Sukiyabashi Jiro is a sushi restaurant in Ginza, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan. It is owned and operated by sushi master Jiro Ono, who at over 90 years old, is still considered the best sushi chef on the planet and still works at the restaurant with his son.
It was the first sushi restaurant in the world to receive three stars from the Michelin Guide and was even awarded five stars, although it was dropped from this list in November 2019. This was not because of poor quality, quite the contrary, the managers’ decision that reservations are not open to everyone meant that it could not be part of this famous guide anymore, but it has certainly elevated it to a unique level of exclusivity.
The restaurant itself has only ten counter seats and those who aspire to dine at this famous restaurant must be considered regulars, have special connections, or be able to book through very high-end hotels in Tokyo. However, if you have the opportunity to enjoy a dinner at Sukiyabashi Jiro you will enjoy the tradition of Edo-style sushi, with its omakase tasting menu. This is served at the counter and is determined each day in the morning and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. It consists of about 20 pieces of sushi. This is the most authentic and traditional way to enjoy sushi.
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