Sushi is an icon of Japanese cuisine. It’s beloved for its rich layers of flavor; its fresh, mildly oceanic taste; and the delightfully bold sauces and accompaniments that enhance the flavors of the vinegared rice featured in every bite. The history of sushi in Japanese cuisine is just as multi-layered as the delightful dish itself. Learn about the story behind this classic Japanese dish below.

Early Sushi

Sushi likely has its origins in ninth-century Japan. During this period, local people devised ways to preserve fish, and they found that their fish tasted even better when served with fermented rice. Fermentation was key to the success and edibility of early sushi at a time long before modern refrigeration practices. From the ninth to the fourteenth centuries, fermenting fish was a process that took up to six months to complete and was usually only a delicacy the wealthy could afford. Between the fifteenth and nineteenth century, more sophisticated methods of speeding up fermentation were devised, making sushi available to a much wider audience.

Modern Sushi

Starting in the 1820s, sushi was served almost exclusively at street carts, and it was prepared and consumed within hours of fishing, so no fermentation or refrigeration was needed. Beginning in 1913, Japanese cuisine was revolutionized by breakthroughs in refrigeration. By the 1920s, modern refrigerators had allowed the sushi trade to move indoors. Restaurant specializing in this treat began to appear around Japan. By the time the 1950s came around, one was hard-pressed to find street vendors selling sushi.

The first American sushi restaurant opened in Los Angeles in 1966. A restauranteur named Noritoshi Kanai opened Kawafuku Restaurant in the city's Little Tokyo District. He specialized in classic Japanese nigiri sushi, which consists of slices of fish served atop rice. Slowly, the sushi phenomenon caught on stateside, and restaurants sprang up across the country. In the United States alone, there are almost 4,000 sushi restaurants in operation today.

Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Greensboro, NC, offers authentic Japanese cuisine to diners throughout the Guilford County area. In addition to sushi, they feature a comprehensive lunch and dinner menu, including a hibachi grill and a full bar. Whether you need a quick and casual lunch or a multi-course meal for a special occasion, they have the Japanese food to satisfy your taste buds and create a wholly unique dining experience. Call (336) 852-5550 or visit them online to learn more about their sushi menu.