YO Sushi: The Japanese Cookbook - Books (Kimiko Barber, Paperback)

It's surprising to realise just how thoroughly sushi -- the Japanese art of fish-based cuisine -- has colonised the more sophisticated areas of Great Britain (and some not so sophisticated). What was once considered exotic fare is now something that many of us are addicted to. And the reasons aren't difficult to understand -- apart from the absolutely delicious nature of the food itself, it's the undisputed healthy aspects of sushi that allows us to enjoy the food without feeling in the slightest guilty. A great part of the revolution in food bought about by sushi in this country is undoubtedly due to the remarkable success of the YO! Sushi chain of restaurants, and YO! Sushi: The Japanese Cookbook by Kimiko Barber is both the bible of this new/old cuisine, as well as an inspirational primer for those wishing to try their hand at preparing sushi themselves.

Sushi is, of course, not the most straightforward of food to prepare at home (in contrast to the speedy nature with which we are served it in YO! Sushi restaurants), but Barber, in straightforward, well-illustrated instructions gives us the most comprehensible of directions. From slicing fish for sashimi and sushi to making hand rolls (the latter, of course, being one of the key ingredients in sushi cuisine), up to preparing such exotic dishes as Okononiyaki (a savoury Japanese pancake) and the delicious fried dumplings filled with minced vegetables called Gyoza: it's all here, laid out in the most straightforward fashion. There are, of course, those tempting deserts which slide by us on the conveyor belts that are so intrinsic a part of the YO! Sushi restaurants, and there will be quite a few people -- inspired by visits to the restaurants -- who will be checking to see if this still exotic cuisine is within their own culinary range. --Barry Forshaw

Customer Reviews of YO Sushi: The Japanese Cookbook

Spider Monkey
UK
3rd January 2009

Yo Sushi
'Yo Sushi' is a wonderful book showing the techniques and method of Japanese cooking. It is clear to cook from and the direction and explanations are excellent. There is a brief introduction to Sushi and Japanese cooking and the terms used etc and then it's on to the recipes, which covers some from the restaurants and a few additional ones for this book. This book gradually increases in difficulty as you progress through the recipes and by the end you should be a fairly competent home sushi cook. This is beautifully illustrated with mouth watering photography and the overall design and format is very pleasing on the eye. If you like Sushi and always fancied giving it a try then this is the place to start and before long you'll be creating your own mini masterpieces to delight in and enjoy.

tuckeratlarge
Lincolnshire
22nd July 2008

Yo! Sushi rocks
I love going to Yo! Sushi when on site with work, trouble is at home the nearest restaurant is over an hour away. This book allows me to recreate the delicious food. It has to be said my efforts are not up to the standard of the chef's but if you get fresh ingredients they taste, if not look, great.

As for the book - not only is it informative and easy to read, it is also a work of art in itself, the photography and general layout and appearance make it an ideal coffee table book for the occasional read. Trouble is every time I do that I end up hungry!

Great book, great food, now where is my rice cooker I'm hungry

Rachel B
Pleasant Hill, CA United States
27th February 2008

YAY
Fantastic and clear recipes with mostly easy to find ingredients! I am from San Francisco where ingredients like dark miso paste and tofu varieties are readily available, but it will take some digging in the UK. The recipes are very clear and absolutely delicious. Many of the recipes are based off of similar ingredients so you won't have to buy too much unusual stuff. I have made Japanese before, but the instructions in this book make things so much easier to follow.

Amy W.
Newcastle, UK
20th September 2007

More than just sushi!
What a great book! I've been looking for a basic Japanese cookbook and this really delivers. It teaches not only the fundamentals of sushi making (and no, it's not all raw fish), but also gives great recipes for cooked dishes, rice and noodle dishes. It really is food you could serve to anyone. If you want to challenge yourself to proper sushi making, the step by step instructions are a godsend. The book itself is beautiful and colourful and I found it really encouraging and fun. I love the restaurants, and this book doesn't disappoint.