Hello everyone! This is Sushi Hatake. The other day, I went back to my hometown in Gifu Prefecture, and my mother showed me a cardboard box full of ginkgo nuts. “I picked these up. I’m going to sell them at the morning market.” …Mom, you’re way too resourceful. The bags had handwritten labels like “200g” … Read more

Hello everyone! This is Sushi Hatake. The other day, I visited Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture. Known as one of Japan’s three most famous hot springs, this place completely shook my identity as a sushi chef. First, Let’s Talk About the Name “Gero” When you hear “Gero Onsen,” what comes to mind? The famous hot … Read more

During my recent stay in Ho Chi Minh, I visited “Sushi Tiger” for the second time, following last year’s visit. This restaurant on Le Thanh Ton Street has actually become one of my favorites. What I Ate at Sushi Tiger This time I ordered 3 pieces of tuna, 2 pieces of horse mackerel, 2 pieces … Read more

Hello everyone, welcome to my Ho Chi Minh experience. As someone with asthma, long-term stays in cities with air pollution concerns like Ho Chi Minh are quite challenging for me. But this city is truly fascinating. Street Sushi by the Main Road During my recent visit to Ho Chi Minh, I had an experience you … Read more

This year, I visited Ho Chi Minh City for the second year in a row. I met up again with a friend from my sushi academy days who now runs a yakitori restaurant in the city. Every time we meet, I’m reminded of how unbelievably hard he works. He only takes about three days off … Read more

Among the many fish laid out on the cutting board, few draw the eye quite like this one. Its elegant black stripes and golden hue make it look almost ornamental. This fish is called Kagokakidai — a hidden gem in the hands of a sushi chef. 📖 What Is Kagokakidai? Kagokakidai (Microcanthus strigatus) is a … Read more

As winter slowly approaches, salmon begin their long journey home to the rivers of the north. Among the many gifts they bring, none shines brighter than ikura — the glistening orange pearls that capture the taste of autumn itself. This year, however, ikura has become more precious than ever. Many shoppers have found themselves pausing … Read more

On September 27, 2025, we held our second collaboration event with Manhattan bakery & bar. Once again, Sushi-batake visited the venue to provide on-site sushi catering, offering guests seasonal nigiri. Thanks to everyone, it became another lively and memorable two-hour evening. The real charm of sushi catering lies in the live performance of a sushi … Read more

Hello everyone, this is Sushi Batake! In my last post, I tackled the problem of rice sticking to my hands and shared some tricks like using ice in hand water and vinegar water. Today, here’s the sequel—this time in full honesty. Summer Struggles for Sushi Chefs In summer, my body temperature is higher, which makes … Read more

A Little Happening at the Café When I tried to check in at the hotel, my room wasn’t ready yet, so I started chatting with one of the staff. They offered me Turkish coffee and asked, “What do you do?” I casually replied, “I’m a sushi chef.” His eyes lit up and he said, “Let’s … Read more