Sushi: A Pocket Guide [Paperback]

Minori Fukuda (Author), Kit Shan Li (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2005

For the uninitiated, sushi restaurants can be intimidating. But no more. Just like its irresistible predecessor Dim Sum, Sushi can be tucked into a purse or pocket for instant-expert reference. Fifty of the most popular sushi items are presented as colorfully as a Japanese restaurant's display case with clear photographs for easy identification, descriptions of flavors and textures, and phonetic pronunciations. Icons distinguish whether sushi is cooked (like unagi) or is vegetarian (like the cucumber roll). Covering nigiri, maki, and a few unusual sushi items (blowfish, anyone?), Japanese foodophiles can take it easy by ordering the crowd-pleasing California Roll, or go for broke and sample uni (sea urchin), an acquired taste, but a favorite of any sushi-lover worth their tobiko. With a short history of sushi, ordering and eating etiquette, and a simple glossary of out-of-the-ordinary ingredients, Sushi is the definitive guide to one of Japan's most intriguing culinary specialties. Itadakimasu! (enjoy).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kit Shan Li became friends with Minori when they attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Uni is her favorite.

Minori Fukuda is a graphic designer living in Japan. Her favorite sushi is hotate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811845044
• ISBN-13: 978-0811845045
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good primer but...., May 12, 2005

By 

D. Greene "Funk soul brother" (Bowie, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sushi: A Pocket Guide (Paperback)

I got this book based on a recommendation from the Washington Post. It's small (actual pocket size) and sturdy. I found it a bit hard to open all the way. The first 20 pages or so list sushi etiquette and tells what is happening behind the sushi bar. The next 50 pages is the part of the book that let me down the most. There is only one piece of sushi per page with a picture, the japanese spelling and pronounciation, the 'dumbed down' definition, and a brief description. The book also mentions if the piece is vegetarian or if it has been cooked.
It covers most of the sushi that I have had in my lifetime (I'm fairly adventurous) and not too much else. I think the book could have been made less than an inch bigger so that two pieces could fit on a page.
It's a pretty good book, but I think it could have been more in depth. If you don't know anything about sushi, it's a good start. I think if you've been to the sushi bar half a dozen times, then you probably won't get too much use of it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best so far...., March 20, 2006

By 

Paul Vecsei (Yellowknife, NWT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sushi: A Pocket Guide (Paperback)

Why is it so hard to find a good sushi book? I first came across this gem in a novelty shop and to my surprise, fell in love. This book is a graphic designers dream and will apeal such people as much as to raw fish eaters. This pocket guide is a museum piece and a must for any book collector. I was a bit put-off by its tiny size but some would argue it adds to its charm.