Denmark's Most Experienced Sushi Chef Zoë Escher

2019: Zoë was the judge for the daily newspaper Politiken in connection with testing food for their readers.
2016: Zoë held the official opening speech and opened the fair Formland Spring in Messecenter Herning in Denmark. At the opening of the fair there were 49 people from the press, 20 VIP and 271 exhibitors.
2015: Zoë has made sushi and Japanese dishes as private dining at home of US ambassador in Denmark Rufus Gifford.
2013: Rated as Denmark’s sushi expert no. 1 by gourmet supermarket chain Irma. Zoë was also guest judget at Masterchef Denmark season 3. Zoë has made sushi and Japanese dishes as staff food to the 3 star Michelin restaurant

Zoë is known from Danish magazines and TV such as Copenhagen Food, ALT for Damerne, Berlingske, Femina, IN, Mad & Bolig, TV3 and the consumer council magazine “THINK”.

Reference: Restaurant Geranium***, A.P. Møller – Mærsk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Ikea, Novartis, Velux, Takeda Pharma, Haldore Topsøe, Dansk Byggeri, Deloitte, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Symphogen and many more.

Is there a difference between the noodles used in Japanese soup?

March 31, 2023January 11, 2022 by Zoë Escher

There is a big difference in the noodles used in Japanese noodle soups.
Most people have heard about ramen soup, where one type of noodles is used. They are long, thin, and yellow and looks like spaghetti, but, the texture of the noodle and taste is different.

Ramen soup is not the only soup that the Japanese eat all year round.
In Japan, there are several different types of noodle soups are eaten, some at specific times during a year.
It is the stock, vegetables and meat/fish that determine which type of noodles are used.

In some soups, noodles that are neutral in flavor are used in udon soup. It is the soup itself that has a lot of taste and aromas. In other soups, noodles that have a delicate taste ramen noodle are used because it adds an extra dimension of flavor to the noodle soup.

In the Japanese noodle soup course for beginners, you will learn step by step how to make 2 very different tasty noodle soups.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What does the Japanese diet pyramid contain?

March 31, 2023January 6, 2022 by Zoë Escher

The Japanese diet pyramid looks different from the Danish diet pyramid.

Japanese cuisine contains basic items which are a “must”.
It is rice, seafood, soybeans and seaweed. These are the basic elements of Japanese cuisine. They are essential and absolutely indispensable. The Japanese eat much seafood as we eat meat.

The Japanese also eat meat and vegetables. However, the Japanese do not eat as much meat as we do in Europe. They eat the same amount of meat as we eat fish.

In Japanese cuisine, several different types of cabbage are used. Cabbage is eaten in many different ways and, is a staple in Japanese cuisine. Of course, the Japanese also eat many vegetables that we know in Europe such as carrots, spring onions and cucumbers.

In Traditional Japanese food course for beginners, you learn step by step, how to make tasty dishes with Japanese ingredients, Japanese ingredients and Nordic ingredients.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Sushi is the easiest way to get more vegetables eaten!

March 31, 2023January 3, 2022 by Zoë Escher

Yes, it’s true. Sushi is the easiest way to get more vegetables eaten without you getting tired of the food.

For sushi, a certain type of seaweed is used. A seaweed sort that is grown on the seabed like oats and wheat is grown in Europe. Seaweed for sushi is grown on the ocean floor in China, Japan and Korea. There is a big difference in taste, depending on in which country sushi nori is grown.

In Japan, sushi nori is harvested in the autumn.
The harvested seaweed must go through a long process, where it is washed, cleaned, dried, pressed and cut to the “right” size.
In Japan, seaweed is grown in several different qualities. There are sushi nori for everyday use and exclusive sushi nori for gourmet sushi.

Sushi is the vegetable in the world that contains the most vitamins and minerals. You should not eat very much sushi until you have met your body’s need for vegetables.

At the Sushi course for beginners, you learn all the processes you have to go through to make tasty sushi at home in your own kitchen.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

That’s why seaweed is the most important vegetable in Japan!

April 3, 2023December 20, 2021 by Zoë Escher

Most people associate seaweed with Japan.
Over the last many decades, more and more people have opened their eyes to sushi seaweed which contain many vitamins and minerals. Sushi is a popular food enjoyed by both children and adults.

The country of Japan consists of a main island and hundreds of small islands. It is a country which is a bit isolated from the rest of the world and which is surrounded by water.
Japan is a fishing country a country that taught the Japanese thousands of years ago to appreciate seafood but also seaweed.

Seaweed was the direct and fastest source of vitamins and minerals.
In today’s Japan, not only sushi is eaten. In Japanese cuisine, many different kinds of seaweed are used. Which seaweed is used depends on the dish in question.

Seaweed is one of the most important vegetables in Japanese cuisine.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Sushi is also a way to be together!

April 3, 2023December 13, 2021 by Zoë Escher

Yes of course, it’s great to eat a sushi with good friends.

But, that is not exactly what I had in mind. Making sushi together is a great way to spend time together.

Decide what kind of sushi to make
Select rice suitable for sushi
The different stages of sushi rice
Cooking sushi rice
Select fish and vegetables for sushi
Handling of fish in accordance with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration’s rules
Use different techniques to cut fish and vegetables
Step by step to make different kinds of sushi
Cut sushi and prepare the food

Making sushi is a great way to be together.

Everyone is creative and gets the opportunity to make sushi with their favorite fish and vegetables it is a way to use your body differently.

The mind is free of everyday thoughts and instead focused on making tasty sushi which is enjoyed later in the day.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What are the Japanese’s favorite healthy fast food?

April 3, 2023December 9, 2021 by Zoë Escher

The Japanese cuisine consist of many healthy fast food.

In Europe there are several different types of fast foods that are not so healthy such as pizza and shawarma. These dishes are often are eaten on a busy day.

In Japan, there are several types of fast food that are suits a busy workday, dishes that can be eaten in a short time. These dishes are perfect for days with a lot of work. In Japan, a buzy work day is on average of 10-15 hours.

The Japanese are the population in the world that eats most noodles. The noodle soups are made in many different ways, some soups are made with fish, pork or chicken stock. In the big cities such as Tokyo each noodle bar has their very own recipse. In Japan, each region has their unique ingredients and raw materials, which are used to make tasty noodle soup.

In Japan, noodle soups are eaten all year round. Yes, even on a hot summer days. In Europe, noodle soups are most often eaten in the autumn, winter and spring.

On the noodle soup course for beginners, you will learn step by step how to make 2 very different unique and tasty Japanese noodle soups.

Read more about Noodle Soup course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Sushi course for beginners is also for you who are in charge of the dinner on New Year’s Eve!

April 3, 2023December 3, 2021 by Zoë Escher

New Year’s and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner.
One thing is for sure, it is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In Denmark, sushi is one of the favorite dinners on New Year’s Eve. It is a wonderful mix of fish, seafood and vegetables.

Sushi course for beginners is suitable for you who want to make sushi as an appetizer or a whole dinner.
There are benefits to making your own sushi dinner.

You can make sushi exactly as you like with your favorite vegetables and fish.
You know how to get the most out of your money when you buy fish from a fishmonger.
You know how to handle fish also according to the Danish Food Administration.
You know which Japanese ingredients are best suited for sushi.
You know how to make different kinds of sushi that are suitable for everyday and special occasion.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Which chopsticks are best suited for sushi?

April 3, 2023November 30, 2021 by Zoë Escher

It depends on how good you are at using chopsticks. If you are as experienced as the Japanese in Tokyo, then you can use chopsticks that are made in different materials. Lately I have been seeing chopsticks in steel.

The Japanese would never make chopsticks out of steel. They are too slippery to hold in the hand, difficult to grasp the food and they are difficult to eat with. Also, steel is not a material found in nature.

In Japan, the preferred material for chopsticks is wood. However, there are many different types of wood used for chopsticks. In Japan, the design of chopsticks plays a big role. They should be easy to hold between the fingers, easy to eat with and the design should be Japanese.

It is easy to see on chopsticks if they are easy to use. They are made in a design that makes them comfortable to hold in the hand. The outer part of the chopsticks will have a slightly rough surface like sandpaper. It makes it easy to hold on to the food.

The Japanese families like that chopsticks are made in many different designs and quality, so there is little to choose from.

Read about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

When do the Japanese prefer to eat a bowl of hot noodle soup?

April 3, 2023November 26, 2021 by Zoë Escher

In Japan, a bowl of hot noodle soup is eaten all year round. Yes, even on hot summer days.
In Japan there is a large selection of noodle soups, each region and each noodle bar has their very own version. Some soups are made on chicken stock, while others are made on pork or fish.

Noodle soup is a healthy fast food that is eaten on all days of the week in Japan. It is a dish that fits into the hectic and busy life that many Japanese live. Many Japanese work an average of 10-15 hours a day.

In Europe so far, many people prefer to eat noodle soups in the autumn / spring and in the winter. In Europe, noodle soups are also eaten on slightly cloudy days.

Read about Noodle soup course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Do all restaurants in Japan use the real Japanese wasabi?

April 3, 2023November 22, 2021 by Zoë Escher

I have been traveling to Japan since 2004 to broaden my horizons and, learning new things from my Japanese teacher. Under normal circumstances, I travel to the Japan every year and on my many trips, I have had many gastronomic experiences ranging from everyday sushi to 2 star Michelin restaurants.

Real wasabi is widespread in Japan. However, not all restaurants use the real wasabi, even in Japan. Usually only Michelin sushi restaurants use the real wasabi.

I have tasted the real wasabi several times in Japan and, I cannot taste the difference. The strong taste disappears a little faster when it comes to the real wasabi.

Wasabi is a horseradish that grows in Japan. It has difficulty growing outside of Japan and therefore artificial wasabi is used. In Denmark, artificial wasabi is widespread it is only a few restaurants that import wasabi from abroad.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.