Aged sushi: try a unique Japanese delicacy in London
Fresh fish is not necessarily the best, according to a master sushi-maker
Aged sushi may sound like an innovation too far, but British diners will have the opportunity to explore this rediscovered art at a unique event bringing together the masters of three Japanese cuisines.
Kouji Kimura is the man responsible, and for one week only from 29 October he’ll be in residence at Yashin Ocean House in South Kensington. His two Michelin stars may offer some comfort to Londoners sceptical about eating uncooked fish that’s up to 60 days old.
Further reassurance comes from The Wall Street Journal. “Time is a friend to raw fish, giving it a richer texture and flavour,” it advises. “Sushi prepared in this manner is more authentic, and its roots go back hundreds, if not thousands of years.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kimura’s first experiments in fish-aging were not, however, an unqualified success. “It was delicious,” says the Luxeat food blog, but “it did stink a lot”. Over time, he learnt how to control the moisture levels within the fish “to bring out umami” without the offputting side-effects.
His flying visit to the UK is the result of a collaboration between Luxeat and All Nippon Airways, which is sponsoring the event as past of its “We Are Japan” programme, intended to foster a deeper understanding of the country and its culture.
Kimura will be joined by Kentaro Nakahara, “the chef many credit with cooking some of Tokyo’s very best wagyu”, says Eater.com.
Though less of a leap than decomposing fish, his signature dish is in some ways just as surprising: he takes the ultrahigh-quality beef and sandwiches it between two slices of bread. The resulting “wagyu katsu sando - as it’s called in Japan - has been Instagram bait for at least the last four years”, says the website.
Completing the trio is Shuji Niitome, a master of tempura, whose ten-seat Tokyo restaurant, Niitome, has been named the best in the city. It came out on top of 4,645 rivals on Tabelog, the respected Japanese review website.
Their work will be accompanied by fine wine and sake selected by Raku Oda, Yashin Ocean House’s head sommelier.
ANA and Luxeat’s Culinary Journeys runs from 29 October to 2 November at Yashin Ocean House, London SW7. Tickets are available here for £375
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Holden Frith is The Week’s digital director. He also makes regular appearances on “The Week Unwrapped”, speaking about subjects as diverse as vaccine development and bionic bomb-sniffing locusts. He joined The Week in 2013, spending five years editing the magazine’s website. Before that, he was deputy digital editor at The Sunday Times. He has also been TheTimes.co.uk’s technology editor and the launch editor of Wired magazine’s UK website. Holden has worked in journalism for nearly two decades, having started his professional career while completing an English literature degree at Cambridge University. He followed that with a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Chicago. A keen photographer, he also writes travel features whenever he gets the chance.
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published