Global Market Surferby INTAGE Inc

[Eastern Europe] Evolution of "Japanese Sushi" in Eastern Europe

In this column, I would like to talk about how "sushi culture" is taking root in Eastern Europe, with the theme of the Japanese food "sushi. I hope this will be of interest to you, the reader, as a new perspective on different cultures.

If you ask a foreigner, "What does Japan mean to you? the first thing that comes to mind is "sushi".
The Japanese "sushi culture" has spread all over the world, and there are authentic sushi restaurants opened by Japanese sushi chefs, fusion restaurants created by local people, and many Japanese restaurants run by Chinese people.
　Sushi restaurants are not uncommon in developed countries such as the U.S. and Western Europe, but what about in Eastern Europe, where Japanese people are less familiar with sushi?

◆Discover numerous sushi restaurants (including Japanese and fusion food) in the capitals of six Eastern European countries alone.

"Because the Eastern Europe region is so large, we checked out sushi restaurants in six countries.
We selected Russia and Ukraine from the former Soviet Union, Croatia from the former Yugoslavia, Serbia and Georgia from the Caucasus region (home of sumo wrestler Tochinoshin), and Azerbaijan.

Number of sushi bars/restaurants:
The number of sushi bars/restaurants was calculated using the Tripadvisor search engine.
The number of sushi bars/restaurants is calculated by using Tripadvisor's search engine. 1) "Restaurants" tab on the homepage → 2) Check "Restaurants" and "Bars and Pubs" under "Facility Type" → 3) Specify "Sushi" under "Cuisine" and enter the number of applicable restaurants. In English, "Sushi Bar" means "sushi bar.
The term "Sushi Bar" is often used in English, so we also included the facility type "Bar and Pub" in the search.
Note that Tripadvisor often confuses "sushi" with other Asian cuisines, so the above totals are for reference only.

For "Local currency": Current rate as of July 2021

◆What is the difference between "Japanese sushi" and "Eastern European sushi"?

The basic concept of Japanese sushi is to taste the original ingredients as they are, and the Japanese way of eating sushi is to eat it with a little bit of wasabi and shoyu.
But what about the Eastern European version of sushi?

1) Ukraine: 299 UAH = about 1,210 yen, eel, avocado, egg, ginger, horseradish, seaweed combination on top, lots of eel sauce and sesame seeds.

2) Serbia: 1,290 RSD = about 1,445 yen, crab, tuna in spicy sauce

3) Georgia: 19 GEL= about 670 yen, avocado, cucumber, cream cheese, takuan, ginger, horseradish (Bottom left photo below)

4) Azerbaijan: 10.60 AZN = about 688 yen, salmon, shrimp tempura, flying fish, lots of mayonnaise, cream cheese

5) Croatia: 85 HRK = about 1,490 yen, salmon, avocado, Philadelphia cheese, mango, flying fish, tropical sauce, seaweed

6) Russia: 430 RUB = about 652 yen Crab, cream cheese, grilled mozzarella cheese, cucumber, avocado, eel sauce

As you see, compared to Japanese sushi, there seems to be a strong tendency to "add/apply flavors" instead of enjoying the original taste and ingredients. I noticed that most of the time they add "cream cheese", "eel sauce", "mayonnaise", or "spicy sauce".

For the Japanese style "sushi experience", chopsticks are used for eating, but
The menu mainly consists of rolls (nori maki) that are easy to grab with chopsticks.
Some restaurants also provide utensils to help you learn to hold the chopsticks properly.
Sushi is not just a simple dish, but it has become popular because it allows people to experience Japanese style food in their own country.

▼ Scroll [Norimaki]

▼ Chopsticks and chopstick rests

◆Take-out and delivery are also common.

Sushi take-out and delivery were common before the coronavirus epidemic, and will become even more common after corona.

▼ Take-out box

▼ Delivery Paper Bag

▼ Take-out box (Food and beverage scene)

◆In addition to "Japan=Sushi", other Japanese foods and Japanese products are also available.

As I told you, sushi has already penetrated the Eastern European region, and it is no exaggeration to say that Japan is known for sushi. In addition to sushi and Japanese food, I believe that other Japanese food and products have the potential to become popular.
What kind of Japanese food and products will become popular next? I'm looking forward to it.

Lastly, our global research can be conducted in a variety of ways, even in the Corona disaster.
Please consult with us for market research (general retail market, commercial market confirmation, consumer opinion survey, etc.) when entering markets around the world, not just Eastern Europe.

We operate a website that provides "real" information about people living overseas that is useful for global business. Registration and use of the site is free. Please take a look.
(https://www.global-market-surfer.com/)[https://www.global-market-surfer.com/)

Translated with AI Translator

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  Author profile

  (Mr.)Chen YonghuiHumphery

  My name is Humphrey, and I have 15 years of experience in international marketing research.
  I have 15 years of experience in international marketing research, mainly in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Europe. I am originally from Singapore, but I have lived in several countries, including frequent business trips abroad, for half my life. I have lived in several countries, including frequent business trips abroad, and have a strong sense of the fascination of different cultures from this experience.

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  Editor profile

  Mr. Yusuke Tatsuda

  He is in charge of creating the Global Market Surfer website. One of my favorite sushi from overseas is the BC Roll, a Canadian sushi roll made with salmon and cucumber.

• Sep 10, 2021
• 4778 Views