Sushi Making: “The rice is like glue!”

Sushi-making instructor Fukiko Miyazaki. Photo by Amanda Gonzalez.

By Amanda Gonzalez

On Saturday, September 10 the first of four workshops from the Arts and Traditions of the Presidio Neighborhood Workshop Series was held at the Japanese restaurant, Kobachi. Fukiko Miyazaki, owner of Studio Nihon, led the workshop in an ambient room filled with murals depicting men fishing and various other sea life. Fukiko was assisted by Chikako Shinagawa, a lecturer of Japanese linguistics and language pedagogy at UCSB.

Fukiko Miyazaki assisted by Chikako Shinagawa. Photo by Amanda Gonzalez.

The restaurant was filled with laughter and enjoyment as Fukiko taught the group the history of sushi in Japan, the history of the California Roll, and other traditions from Japan. Fukiko taught how to make Makizushi or California Roll sushi, a Vegetarian Roll, and Temakizushi or Hand Roll sushi.

One of the favorite stories among the group was about Fukiko’s grandmother who taught her that rice is like glue. The group had the opportunity to learn this firsthand when they used rice to make the Nori seaweed stick together, a necessary step in making the Hand Roll sushi.

David Bolton looks on as another workshop participant chops cucumber. Photo by Amanda Gonzalez.

Once all three types of sushi were made, the group indulged in their delicious creations, accompanied by soothing green tea. At the end of the afternoon everyone thanked Fukiko and Chikako for an exciting afternoon where they successfully learned a new skill. The workshop ended and people left with recipes for sushi and a newfound skill set. Our participants wanted to know how to express their thankfulness in Japanese, so Fukiko and Chikako taught the appropriate response, arigatou gozaimasu or thank you very much.

ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita) to Fukiko, Chikako, and to all our participants! If you missed the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Fukiko at Presidio Pastimes on October 1st! Learn more about Studio Nihon.

The workshop participants enjoying the fruits of their labor. The author is in the green sweatshirt. Photo by Meredith Brockriede.

Amanda Gonzalez is the Office Manager at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.