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Feb 27, 2007 11:00 am US/Eastern
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Japan Wants To Rate Authenticity Of U.S. Sushi
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS) ―
Something's fishy at local sushi restaurants and now the Japanese government may be stepping in. It could change where you decide to dine.
The Japanese government says it's time you know if you're getting authentic sushi, reports Anny Hong of CBS station KOVR-TV in Sacramento.
To the Japanese, the California roll is not real sushi.
Taro Arai of Mikuni Restaurants in California spent more than 20 years perfecting his sushi skills, and now teaches classes.
The number of sushi restaurants in the U.S. has doubled over the last 12 years, sparking a shortage of classically trained Japanese sushi chefs.
The Japanese government wants to send inspectors to certify authentic Japanese sushi in U.S. restaurants. They're working out the details on the certification program. Arai questions how they'll even define authentic.
"I want to know myself. Sushi's been changing for so many years I think it's very exciting to see all the different kind of styles," he says.
The Japanese Agricultural Ministry says about 10,000 authentic Japanese restaurants are here in the U.S. Local sushi lovers say they could care less about authenticity.
"I care about what it tastes like, the flavor, freshness the product," says Henny Janosko.
"The flavor, quality, taste matters the most, authenticity, if I can't tell the difference don't suppose that would matter," says Sevan Zenopian.
Arai's also not convinced the inspections will make much of a difference, but he also values the importance of tradition, especially when in Japan, being a sushi chef takes years of specialized training.
"It takes five years just to learn how to cook rice. You have to learn the basics before you even make sushi. To them, it's very respectful," says Arai.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)