Japanese Food...In Brazil

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Brazil is known for samba, soccer and beaches.  But what about sushi?  The largest South American nation is also home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan.  So it’s unsurprising that some Japanese culture has found its way into Brazil’s mainstream.  Most notable is the martial art of jujitsu, a rough, bone-breaking style of grappling that originated in Japan.  

But sushi?  Why not?  Brazil’s major cities (Rio and Sao Paulo) are located near the sea, so there are plenty of freshly caught salmon and tuna.  And Brazil, diverse culture that it is, seems to be embracing the raw fish craze with open arms.  

Case and point: A new blend of fast-food sushi is taking Rio by storm.  A chain restaurant called Koni has proved wildly successful with the city’s young residents.  The chain serves sushi rolls in more than a dozen neon-hued café style shops.  Basics like tuna and tempura shrimp are on the menu, as are several salmon-based snacks.  What began as a fad for young, health-conscious club-goers, has exploded and highlighted the city’s hunger for diverse and unique cuisine.  

What other foods have made headway in Rio?  Pizzerias are quite popular, as are other Italian eateries.  Local cuisine has a strong African influence.  All this combines to make Brazil one of the better destinations for foodies on the hunt for a mind-blowing gastronomical vacation.  

But back to Koni.  Even within this one humble chain, there is diversity.  Sushi is Japanese, but the restaurants sell more than sushi.  Tropical fruit flavored ice cream is also on the menu.  There is nothing Japanese about gourmet ice cream made from caramelized bananas and sweetened strawberries.  Add to that the house beer, a Mexican brand called Sol.  It’s the United Nations in your stomach.  And it’s only one small example of Brazil’s exciting food scene.   

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