shrimps

How often is shrimp eaten in Japan?

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Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher

Japan is known worldwide for its rich culinary history, and seafood including shrimp plays a role in the country’s gastronomy.

Japan is surrounded by sea, which has meant that seafood has always been a central part of the Japanese diet. Shrimps have been a delicacy for the Japanese for centuries, not only for their taste but also for their health.

In everyday life, shrimps are commonly used in many dishes. From the well-known tempura, where the shrimps are deep-fried in a light and crispy batter, to sushi and sashimi. They are also found in noodle soups and fried noodles.

In Japan, great emphasis is placed on seasonal ingredients, and this also applies to shrimps. Certain shrimp varieties are more popular in certain seasons. For example, “sakura ebi”, or cherry shrimps, are popular in the spring.

In Japan, shrimps are eaten regularly all year round.

In the Traditional Japanese Cooking Course for Beginners, you will learn step by step how to make this tasty noodle dish with prawns.

Do you want to join the year’s only cooking course, where you learn to make tasty dishes from classic Japanese cuisine?

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

What seafood is best suited for sushi?

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Sushi chef Zoë EscherIn Denmark only a few seafood is available for sushi. You often find tiger prawns on the menu which is quite a shame for many miss the unique flavors from other seafood.
In Japan different types of squid is used and served in different ways. Sea urchins are extremely popular in Japanese sushi restaurants and have a delightful taste.

In addition, the Japanese have a large selection of shrimps found only in the East part of the world. Shrimp has a size, taste and character that you unfortunately cannot get in Denmark.
In Denmark, we have many beautiful and not so exotic commodities that are perfect for sushi like lumpfish roe, scallops and smoked eel.

Read more about advanced sushi course

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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.

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What are Japanese sushi chefs take on fresh raw materials?

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A Japanese sushi chef in Japan have a different view of raw materials.
If a fish is still alive or caught the same day when the restaurant collects raw materials from the supplier then the raw material is considered fresh.

In 2010, I visited the exclusive sushi restaurant Kyubey in Tokyo where I had a sushi dinner.

At one point the sushi chef came out into the sushi bar with a big shrimp sitting on a leaf on his hand and was looking.

He looked at me and asked, “Do you want it fresh or cooked?”
I thought “I can always get cooked shrimps in Denmark”. “I want it fresh,” I said.

2 seconds later the chefs broke the head of the shrimp and removed the skull and intestine. A few seconds later, the sushi chef made a nigiri. The shripm that lay on the nigiri was still moving it was the nerves that moved.

I looked with big eyes and thought “that might be fresh enough.”
I ate it and I have never eaten a nigiri with shrimp that tasted so good. It still had body temperature and it was so good.

Read more about Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher

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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 is Japanese chefs view of food waste?

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Japanese chefs have a different view of raw materials.

Basically, nothing is thrown out. Everything, according to Japanese chefs can be tasty snacks or dishes by using different Japanese cooking techniques.

Some years ago I visited the exclusive Sushi Restaurant, named Kyubey, located in Ginza in Tokyo. I ordered a sushi menu consisting of a miso soup, a small starter, the chef’s selection of nigiri and a cup of green tea for dessert.

During the dinner I was served a large living shrimp that was made for the most delicious nigiri. Yes, the sushi chef broke the head of the shrimp, removed the intestine and made it to nigiri.
The tail itself and the head were not thrown out. It was cooked in the kitchen and a little later I was served the tail like a delicious and crunchy chip.

You can read more about the course Sushi course for beginners

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