An interesting read for people interested in diaspora/fusion cuisine. It is fascinating to see how a cuisine develops within the context of another country.

It was very informative and entertaining. A great first introduction to the topic of Japanese food, even to those who are not American, though I can imagine it being more fun for them.

My favorite part was the one about sushi.I learned a lot, while enjoyed the reading experience. The history was very well researched, though there were a few places, for example in the dessert section, where I felt like these were more generalities than actual facts.

Tabemasho! Let's Eat! is an absolute delight for foodies and history buffs alike. Gil Asakawa presents a comprehensive history of Japanese cuisine in America that is both entertaining and informative. The writing style is engaging, and the author's obvious passion for the subject matter shines through on every page.

What sets this book apart is its breadth of coverage. Asakawa leaves no stone unturned, tracing the introduction and evolution of everything from sushi to teriyaki to ramen. He also covers the cultural influences that have shaped Japanese cuisine in America, from the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to the emergence of sushi as a trendy food in the 1980s.

The black and white photos add a touch of nostalgia and bring to life the neon signs of Japanese restaurants from the past. The book is a visual feast in addition to being a culinary one.

Overall, Tabemasho! Let's Eat! is a must-read for anyone interested in Japanese food, its history, and its impact on American culture. Asakawa's meticulous research and engaging storytelling make for a fascinating journey through the culinary landscape of America. Highly recommended!

First of all, this book is as instructive and educational as it is practical. That gives it extra points in my book. Second, the educational aspect, which is divided into clear sections, is approachable and relevant to the recipes. Overall, Asakawa’s book is an informative delight and will be adopted in my personal kitchen. I will also recommend this book to any of my future students who wish to learn more about cooking, Japanese culture and history, and anyone interested in a compelling nonfiction reading experience.

Thank you to Stone Bridge Press for sending me an ARC. All reviews are honest reflections of my own opinions, always.

Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! is a journey of Japanese cuisine, its history & how it has changed, grown, and been adopted outside of Japan. The author, a Japanese native, sets out the chapters in a cohesive adventure, taking us from his own experiences & introducing the reader to many popular culinary creations that have quickly gained their own dedicated following.

From sushi in all its forms to the vast array of that staple we know as ramen, to the deep importances of rice, the books covers many foods both savory & sweet.

Definitely an enjoyable read for foodies & historians alike. Be warned tho, the desire to consume some delicious authentic Japanese food is real!

Made me hungry – and reach for ramen….

There was a lot to enjoy about this well-written and informative, Japanese food-focused history. They how and whys of how ramen, teriyaki, sushi, and poke (and many, many other foods) come to be at our local restaurants and grocery shops was laid out in a casual and attention-keeping style. From savoury to sweet, the breadth of Japanese food covered was wide, ranging from appetizers to desserts, to the drinks that came with. And yes, the author was right – there was a lot of chat about tea (rightly so). No bowl was left unturned as the history of its way to our plates unfolded…

The black and white photos were a great touch. My favourites included the beautiful neon signs of the sixties and seventies, adding ambience and a real sense of nostalgia.

If you are ambivalent about the food or its your favourite, this historical walk through its introduction to the states, will catch (and keep) your attention...

Not to be mistaken for a Japanese – American recipe book, this is a history of how the US took to Japanese food and food styles. Nobody would be scarfing down on wagyu beef or the like if Japanese history had been much different, nor would there perhaps be the market and demand for Asian cuisine were it not for the GIs coming home after WW2. What there is now, like so many things in so many places, is a mix of the rough-and-ready, cheap-and-cheerful, and the crafted echt kind of cooking a Japanese grandmother would grudgingly appreciate.

The read is a very friendly non-fiction guide to the subject, covering the history of how and why the dishes crossed the Pacific, what is and what is not traditional, and throwing anything into the mix chop suey style from personal memories to information on how to read a menu. To its credit it doesn't read as only something for an American audience, either, with this Brit finding some of the food and cultural history surprisingly entertaining. A strong four stars for a book able to breach the nicheness of its market and gain a wider audience.

The cover of this really drew me in…so much so that I was convinced that it was a graphic novel of sorts. I was proved wrong but not disappointed in the actuality of this book. Showing an interesting history of food and routes and culture and stories connecting all of these. It was very informative and enjoyable. I’d recommend it to any food lover.

This is a really fun and easily digestible (oops, my apology for the pun) book! It covers the history of Japanese food, it's introduction to American markets, and a little bit of the author's own personal history. I found it to be an informative, interesting, and enjoyable read.

Easy to digest Japanese food lore and recipes, great for all ages! Growing up part of an extended Japanese American family & church family, this book provided insight and lovely walks down memory lane. An asset for those wanting to learn how to cook or as a reference for home kitchen.

I loved this book. Rich with history and really interesting stories. And I mean come on that cover is adorable!

I think most foodies who like Japanese American food will find this an interesting read. It tells of how Japanese food was once thought too exotic for mainstream tastes and now sushi is sold in grocery stores and is widely loved.

Tabemasho provides an in-depth look at Japanese cuisine in the US, including Hawaii, and describes both what’s stayed the same and the new innovations made as Japanese cuisine met the US.

As someone not well versed in Japanese-American culture, the number of Japanese terms was at times a little overwhelming but at the back there’s a 6 page glossary (which indicates something of the number of words you might need to look up!).

A fascinating read which ultimately (I think) achieved its aim - making the reader want to go and eat (or even cook) Japanese food.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A great review of the history of the Japanese food in America!! I loved reading how it evolved into where we are today! The family stories throughout gave it a nice personal touch.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was no less than a love letter to food, I adored it! You could tell the author loves Japanese food and culture. It was extremely cool to read through historical and cultural commentary on such a beloved cuisine worldwide.

I was expecting a history of Japanese food. However, this book is a history of the Japanese community in America through their food. Their coffee shops, restaurants and the home cooking of Japanese Americans. The book is entertaining and interesting, but is far too niche for my audience.

I run our school’s Japanese Culture Club, as my undergraduate degree is in Asian Studies. Overall, Asakawa’s book is interesting but has some generalities that are written like facts. I felt that the book was written out of order, as knowledge for the general reader is generally shared or defined further on, or out of place in progression.

I was impressed overall at the level of thought that went into each history, especially the Japanese internment camps and Hawaii curfews. I was a little saddened that it wasn’t even mentioned how Hawaii was more like a territory at the time and wasn’t a US state.

I hope to pick up a copy of this for our club library. I know many of my students will devour this.

I loved to learn more about Japanese food and its history. You can learn from the appetizers to desserts and how Japanese food evolved in the US. This book is good for any foodie interested in the history of Japanese food.

“Tabemasho! Let’s Eat!” was a riveting review of the history of Japanese food in America! Everything from the food that has become wildly popular here in the States, like ramen and sushi— to a few examples of food that the author explains might not catch on, like natto.

Complete with pictures, and with lots of family stories that have been contributed that give this book a personal touch, this book belongs on any foodie’s bookshelf.

I had a hard time putting it down, and you will too! (If you enjoy the warm and upbeat tone of the show “Unwrapped”, this is going to be your kind of book, too!)

Tabemasho! Let's Eat! By Gil Asakawa is a fun, adorable, and incredible history of Japanese food in The United States. The Photos alone are an incredible reason alone to pick up this book. You won't be sorry :)