The Global World of Sushi|Tokyo Sushi School - Become a Sushi Chef in Just One Month

A Worldwide Sushi Boom

In recent years, sushi has become a true global phenomenon, influencing not only food culture but even local economies. Let's take a look at how sushi is enjoyed around the world.

When people think of sushi abroad, the United States often comes first to mind. America is home to over 4,000 sushi restaurants and bars, with annual sales exceeding 200 billion yen. The iconic California Roll-made with avocado instead of tuna, crab meat, mayonnaise, and rice on the outside for those who dislike seaweed-represents how sushi was adapted for American tastes. Some restaurants now even use soy paper instead of nori.

Europe's Love for Sushi

In Paris, France-a country known for its strong ties to Japan-there are said to be around 2,000 sushi restaurants. Considering that this is half the number found in the U.S., it is remarkably high. In France, sushi is often treated like fast food, much like how Japanese people think of crepes. Lunch boxes featuring sushi are also very popular, as take-out culture is well established.

Sushi in South America

In Brazil, where a large Japanese community lives, hand rolls and maki sushi are particularly popular. Since many Brazilians are not fond of raw fish, salmon is usually the exception, and much of the sushi there is cooked.

Neighboring Chile is famous for its salmon and sea urchin, both well-known exports to Japan. With its long geography spanning 4,300 km from north to south, Chile has climates similar to Japan, including areas like Hokkaido where excellent uni is harvested. Salmon rolls topped with chili sauce are a local favorite, while authentic Japanese restaurants run by Japanese chefs also serve traditional sushi. Interestingly, salmon farming in Chile was introduced with Japanese cooperation, and today it has become a major industry.

Sushi Across the Islands and Asia

In Palau, a Pacific island nation with deep ties to Japan, sushi is widely enjoyed. While fresh fish is available, the skills of some restaurants still need refinement-perhaps waiting for experienced sushi chefs to arrive. Delivery sushi is also popular, often competing with pizza.

In Bangladesh, a country known for rice, fish, and shrimp farming, authentic Japanese sushi restaurants are beginning to open. There, sushi is considered a luxury, but its popularity is steadily growing. With Japan's cooperation in aquaculture, more ingredients suitable for sushi may soon be produced locally.

Fusion and Creativity

Around the world, countless varieties of creative sushi have appeared. Alongside the California Roll, there are the Philadelphia Roll (with cream cheese), Spider Roll (with fried soft-shell crab), Spicy Tuna Roll, Hawaiian Roll, Rainbow Roll, sushi rolls with fruit or avocado, and even deep-fried sushi rolls. In some regions, you may even find sushi burgers and sushi burritos.

Japanese Chefs Abroad

Sushi, born in Japan and refined as Edomae sushi during the Edo period, is now gaining attention overseas. While many "imitation sushi" styles exist, they have helped build global awareness and popularity. Once people taste authentic sushi in Japan, they begin to crave the real thing in their own countries.

The situation is similar to Italian cuisine in Japan: it began with simple adaptations like Napolitan spaghetti, but over time, authentic Italian restaurants flourished. Likewise, demand for genuine Edomae sushi abroad is now increasing.

It is said that sushi chefs can earn three to twenty times more working overseas compared to Japan. In America, a sushi restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide can bring in earnings of up to 100 million yen per year. While some chefs import ingredients directly from Tokyo's Toyosu Market, in seafood-rich countries like Chile or Bangladesh, local resources may be combined with Japanese techniques to create new regional styles of sushi.

The Future of Sushi Education

Today, sushi schools and culinary academies are growing in number, yet globally there are still not enough skilled chefs. Many Japanese people who move abroad return home temporarily to study sushi techniques, then open restaurants or work overseas.

Sushi is versatile: it can be enjoyed as fine dining with sake, or as take-out in the form of lunch boxes and delivery meals. Since a sushi business requires little more than knives, whetstones, and cutting boards to begin, it is, in fact, a surprisingly practical venture for overseas markets.

The worldwide sushi boom is far from over. In the years to come, authentic Edomae sushi will continue to inspire chefs and delight customers around the globe.