Member Reviews

This is an educational book in drawings. This covers everything from kinds of sushi, to how to get good fresh fish, and then even knives that are used to cut tuna (also used by yakuza).
,,So you see, cuisine begins at the market! without them, without good products, there's no good sushi..regardless of who the chef is!'' says the quote.
If you were to read about it, it would probably be very boring and repetitive, but with some visuals, I would say this is a pretty well thought, warm, and cozy read you can pick up any time. Even if you don't eat sushi much, like me, it will mesmerize and hold your attention. And you get to mind travel to Japan and get some other bits and pieces of culture besides sushi. In the end, there are a few recipes for food and sake and some references for places in Japan in case you ever get there yourself which I find lovely.
some of the rules to enjoy sushi wherever you are:
*you can eat sushi with your hands, even in the finest restaurants.
*Avoid eating too much ginger. it's there to cleanse your palate between each sushi so as to help you better appreciate the different fish.
*do not bite into it: sushi is eaten in one bite. it's the secret to making all the flavors explode!

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This was a stellar book. I enjoyed the art, the story, and the informative style. I would highly recommend this book and I have also put another Franckie Alarcon book on my to read list!

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I don’t eat sushi. But I was curious, and I wanted to know why it’s so popular.

Here you can learn everything from varieties, ingredients, preparation, how to eat it, etc. We also meet the famous japan sushi master Hachiro Mizutani and visit japan fish marketplace.

The graphic is excellent, with black-and-white illustrations, mostly with just a few colored details. You get the feeling of minimalism, but still, the graphics are very well-done.

The Art of Sushi is a perfect non-fiction graphic novel for gourmets, professional and amateur cooks, and true sushi lovers.

Thanks to Papercutz for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.

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My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Papercutz for an advanced copy of this culinary graphic novel.

Tasty art takes on a new meaning in The Art of Sushi, a graphic novel by French artist Franckie Alarcon. Known for his previous illustrated guide to the wonders of chocolate, Mr. Alarcon presents a history of sushi from its early years, the future of sushi and its preparation, and importance in Japanese cuisine and tourism.

Mr. Alarcon traveled to Japan to learn firsthand from sushi chefs and masters, watching the different practices of preparation and how the meals are served. Mr. Alarcon also observed fisherman and how they procure their catches, and what a good chef looks for, the freshness even the parasites that might be present in the sushi. All of this is fully illustrated, with a sort of black and white art, except for the food, which pops in all the beauty and color they have. Recipes are also included for the more adventurous.

Along with sushi the book offers a history on the brewing of sake, the perfect rice and how it is produced for sushi, and how wasabi is cultivated. Again, each section is fully illustrated and quite informative. I envy Mr. Alarcon his trip.

A great book for a foodie, and except for how sushi is removed from the fish which might effect younger eyes, is perfect for all ages. I have been reading comics and graphic novels for a long time and it is wonderful to see sequential art stories that are more real things, especially on food that I enjoy so much.

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You'll learn more about sushi, how it's made & all its components in this clever graphic novel. it has mostly black & white drawings enlivened with bits of color.. A group of French people travel; to Japan & discover sushi from high-end to popular joints. on the way, they also learn about fishing practices, rice cultivation, sake, ceramics, and soy sauce. A final chapter looks at sushi in France.

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A very thorough and in depth look at the history and consumption of Sushi in Japan and later France. It is always fascinating to look at the bare bones tried and true methods that all of these culinary pioneers swear by. I wish we had markets in the US that managed to equate freshness with care of the food.

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Man, I am hungry for sushi! But not just any sushi, I am hungry for good sushi! Alarcon's manga about sushi transports and educates the reader on all aspects of sushi - from how the fish are caught, to how wasabi is grown, and what sake to pair with it! I loved this informative, quick read - thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

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"The Art of Sushi", by Franckie Alarcon, is a great homage to sushi, written by a sushi lover. Alarcon travels from France to Japan, and meets with sushi masters, fishermen, and all involved in the making of great sushi. There is a lot of interesting information, from how to procure the best fish and ensure it is healthy for raw consumption, to the perfect cooking of the rice and proper utensils to use. There is also interesting information about sushi in France, and how the dish has changed there.

The illustrations and balance of colors are beautiful. The only downside of that was that it made me crave sushi so bad, but I can't really complain about it. I would highly recommend this one to fans of Japanese culture and food. Especially now, when borders are still closed, and travelling to Japan to eat sushi feels like a faraway dream, this graphic novel was a great culinary trip. Thank you to NetGalley and NBM Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

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A beautiful and informative book. Franckie Alarcon takes the reader on a journey through fish markets and into the kitchen with sushi masters in Japan, with step-by-step drawings of slicing up fish, making sake and shoyu and more. The mix of narrative and explanatory sections is perfect, the drawings are simple yet elegant, and you learn a lot about the art of sushi and how it's adapted as it's become more popular and spread around the world.

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Having not read graphic novel-type books in over 25 years, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this book, but I like sushi and Japan, so I figured it was a worth a shot. The Art of Sushi ended up being a really great book!

The artwork is fantastic - the drawings are relatively simplistic, but they include so much detail that you really feel immersed in the scene. I’ve been to Japan twice and had the great fortune to eat at a Michelin starred sushiya in Tokyo several years ago and got to observe a cooking class that my friend was taking with a different sushi master in Ginza - much of what is presented here lines up quite well with my experiences and what I learned by talking to the chefs during those experiences, but I’ve definitely learned some more from this book!

The Art of Sushi introduces readers to three "levels" of sushi as well as many of the products and industries that are necessary for the creation and enjoyment of sushi. The reader is taken on a journey to catch the fish, to ferment the sake, creating the soy sauce, and preparing and presenting the sushi. If you enjoy sushi, this book will give you a much greater appreciation for all of the exquisite detail that goes into making and enjoying sushi.

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Absolutely stunning artwork and really interesting insight into the art and history of sushi. Would highly recommend for lovers of food, Japanese history, and beautiful art.

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Super informative, with the most delicious and mouth-watering Illustrations.
Reading The Art of Sushi I learned so much about the history, tradition, forms and rules about the food that not only left me in desperate need to go out and eat some at an authentic restaurant but also to try out the various recipes included in the book.

Thank you Netgalley, Papercutz, NBM Publishing and the author Franckie Alarconz for the opportunity to read this mouth-watering Graphic Novel as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review.

This is a super interesting book that really delves into the art of sushi. I love that its in a graphic novel format - it makes it so accessible to travel to Japan and learn some of the art behind sushi, sake, rice, and wasabi. My 9 year old loves sushi and I think she would really like this graphic novel, even though it is likely more geared towards adults. Even if you know about sushi, there is a lot to learn in here. There are even some recipes in the book for those who want to try their hand at making sushi at home.

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I enjoyed the comic format of this super informative and detailed(!) book. Having read Rice, Noodle, Fish earlier this year, it didn't totally suprise me to read more about the intricacies of art of sushi but nonetheless it was a refresher with visuals and I rather enjoyed the fun feel of the comic coupled with how much I was able to absorb and learn along the way. It was a unique read and I would recommend it for your 'for-fun' TBR pile!

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

'The Art of Sushi' by Franckie Alarcon is a fantastic overview of the history of sushi. The deep and rich history of the art form is told through the eyes of a hobbyist chef learning from a sushi master. The book is rendered beautifully with delicate line work and sparing use of color. Alacron walks through the various styles of sushi and processes behind obtaining the ingredients, driving home the entirety of the narrative involved in this culinary art.
As a newcomer to the world of sushi, I have definitely gained a new appreciation for the skill and discipline required to properly prepare and deliver sushi with upmost excellence. I would highly recommend 'The Art of Sushi' to anyone who enjoys a roll from time to time and wishes to gain a newfound appreciation for sushi both as a culinary art and it's historical significance as a cuisine.

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Translated from French, The Art of Sushi is a lovely work about the artistry and tradition that goes into sushi. A great gift for food lovers, panels of lovingly rendered tidbits may have readers reaching for takeout menus or rice cookers.

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I have come to really like graphic novels that give me the history of something or someone, I like to be able to see the ideas in pictures. I learned quite a few new things, I will admit that I didn't know a lot about sushi to start just that I like it, This book is full of information and I loved that the illustrations did not take away from the story. Alarcon uses color sparingly, and at the right moments, to draw attention to the beauty of the finished product.

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This is a nice coffee table book. It makes you really appreciate the craft that goes into sushi making.

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I was unsure when I started this book if I would like it, but by the end I really enjoyed learning the history of sushi and everything that goes into making it. I liked learning about the different types of sushi, how the rice matters, how each area of Japan does something slightly different, and how it all works together to make a beautiful dish. Learning about the care taken with the ingredients matters was really interesting as it sometimes feels that our food is not cared about when it is being processed or made. I also liked learning how different chefs around Japan and the world are changing how sushi is perceived and accessed by people. The way the book was set up as a tour for the author and the simple black and white drawings really lead to the enjoyment of the subject matter. It was not flashy, but it was not dull either. I can't wait to share this book with my students and my chef (and foodie) brother.

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Alarcon has created an unique personal tale of the importance and impression of sushi culture on his life.

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