this just about made me cry, i want to go there and meet miki izumisawa, and tell her about how i always wanted to be a sushi chef but being white and poor and a woman were always things that people told me meant i could never do that, i want to taste all her dishes and be inspired to try new things with my own cooking, gosh this is just such an important video it has so much hope
I frequent 242 Fusion often. The dishes are all unique. Miki and the rest of the her team do really well at presenting a great dish with really good balance of flavor and beauty. Glad to see her recognized here.
The look in her eyes when working for Nobu didn't work out because others could not accept a woman as a sushi chef in that environment, broke my heart. :,( Stay strong Miki. I love how her plating and the textures and every detail tell a story. She is an artist.
I am 100% visiting her restaurant next time! You're amazing! Miki you're my hero! I've worked in male dominated fields, IT and engineering, in Asia for over ten years. There's just one reason why many men ignore and dislike women in these fields. They want all the money to themselves to buy women's affection with. I was sad to hear that her spirit was almost crushed by such people, and thrilled she opened her own restaurant. Women make great master chefs, and superb cooks.
Nothing against "fusion sushi" or "Westernized sushi" but for me, one of the great things about "traditional sushi" is its simplicity and well, the traditional aspect. I still wanna try her food though, it looks good!
Love Rice The best thing is diversity. There have to be restaurants, which are die hard classicist. But I really like this restaurant, due to their no to soy sauce - a really cool move! The good thing here is, that it is not confusion-fusion, the chef just has a vision...
+Dominik MJ (opinionated alchemist) diversity is of importance but the classics and traditionals are cherished for a reason, what makes sushi as a whole special is it's simple distinguishable taste and although her place seems to have really i mean REALLY good stuff you wouldn't go there to eat sushi you would go there to eat what she makes which for all i know could taste even better than sushi
steve J I am usually a classicist. And especially when it comes to sushi I tried a lot, but enjoy only quite a limited selection. However culinary creations are not everlasting pictures - they are more snapshots, which change with the time. I feel it a bit boring, to always do the same stuff. Don't get me wrong, the Michelin starred sushi restaurants and the great masters have absolutely their place. But I think she does have her place as well. And given, that sushi originally was rather simple street food and just lately got a "more highbrow reputation", you still call (most of) her creations sushi.
It is quite inspirational, to see this women, being not the typical artisan, which are usually the stereotype of good sushi chefs. I believe, that there is definitely more potential in the restaurant, but maybe this would jeopardize the personality of the restaurant. Anyway - very fun video!
When a notable male chef tells a woman, "Someday you will work for me," it would always be an Asian that would understand it being a high compliment and return with a, "Thank you, chef!" Generally, any other born or bred American female would take offense. This woman's humility and creativity got her to where she is. Even Morimoto says, "I have only one rule" (regarding sushi) "there are no rules." Some think it's blasphemous but why? All food culture evolves. If it's not good, it falls by the wayside. It doesn't have to be trendy to be good. While I tend to love very traditional sushi myself, it would be an honor to taste this woman's sushi. Not because the woman made the sushi. But because sushi made the woman. Props to her! Love this video!
This has to be one of my favorite chef stories here on Munchies :D. I live in LA County, and I'm definitely going to visit this place. I've only seen one other female sushi chef. Akasaka in Hacienda Heights. Most of her staff are female also. Maybe you should visit her one day. I find funny how men joke about how a woman's place is in the kitchen, but being a chef is so dominant male wise. It's such an oxymoronic behavior. Gender equality and respect shouldn't be an issue in a kitchen.
She has a fusion sushi restaurant,people know it's not traditional, if they enjoy her food they will come back, if they didn't then they will go some place else, I commend her for doing what she likes to do. I personally like a traditional sushi restaurant,as the chef there will also give his personal touch to his creations ,there is always room for improvement and a strive for perfection to achieve this in ones lifetime is called "success " and I hope she is successful .⛩
I love you Miki san thank you for changing so many lives and being such a FORCE. Queer icon and a powerhouse of a woman. Rest in power, we miss you and your amazing artistic sensibility
Nothing against Miki, but that sushi fusion does not appeal to me at all. It all looks like a fucking mess to me. However, that's my opinion, I like sushi the traditional way. In Japan I don't think Miki's idea would work at all, but in the US food from other cultures has always been modified (some would say bastardized and ruined), so I think Miki doing sushi different here is fine. Keep in mind, she is not claiming to be a great sushi chef or anything, or that she represents something better. Miki is only representing herself in her work. She does this because she is passionate about it. Nothing more than that.
Love this lady's philosophy. While I love traditional sushi, it's nice to see people pushing it towards the future. That said, that Canyon Roll looked like a mess on plate. Bet it was delicious though :)
a lot of her food seems to be swimming in some sort of sauce, and her rolls are laden with either salad or purple goo on the top. most sushi tends to good as a result of its quality and simplicity, taking pleasure from eating the best cut of the best fish on the best rice, carefully prepared by the best sushi chef sorta thing, as opposed to an interesting food wombo combo. obviously ive never tasted it so i cant say whether it works or not. but it really doesnt *look* appealing to me and im fairly sure you can't taste a lot of the inspiration behind the rolls like the laguna canyon one, the idea is cute but it probably won't mean as much to the consumer as it does to her. however the proof of the pudding is in the eating and all that.
+llamaking1995 check out that cut of tuna in the beginning it looks awful. Flash frozen tuna of good quality looks better than that even without adding carbon monoxide. I understand she probably wants to keep costs down and has to resort to her neta swimming in sauces and toppings.
I like the part where she says that they work like a well oiled machine. That every part of it has its place, so that way they can make the best of it.
looked delicious and new but you cant beat the tradition man. She's being innocative and new and we still need people like her but traditional sushi is like an art man
Love this video. Love you Miki. You're an exceptionally talented Chef. Really excellent and creative. I'm sure I could spend $100.00 a person easy. Please, keep sharing these delicious video's. Blessings ChefMike
She is a very nice lady and i'm sure alot of ppl love her food. She'd be chase out of Japan if she opens restaurant there. Not because of sexism, but she's doing things that aren't considered "good" ways of sushi.
This is not Sushi, maybe you can call it American Sushi, or California Sushi. But this is not Sushi. Good for her though looks like she found a place where she can express her talent and that's great!
Is it just me or are her hands trembling in the shots of her handling knives? I thought that was quite odd for a supposedly accomplished sushi chef. It appears that she struggles with nerves/emotions, which probably contributed to her inability to stick in the all-male kitchen. I'm glad that she found something that worked for her.
I always wanted to visit this place, so sad that she passed away before I got a chance to meet her :(
Rest in peace you were an inspiration
oh my. I had just revisit this video again and I saw that she passed 2 years ago. I had always wanted to taste her sushi
this just about made me cry, i want to go there and meet miki izumisawa, and tell her about how i always wanted to be a sushi chef but being white and poor and a woman were always things that people told me meant i could never do that, i want to taste all her dishes and be inspired to try new things with my own cooking, gosh this is just such an important video it has so much hope
nothing's impossible you can do it. and if you want to make sushi and open up a restaurant do it. I'll eat your food with the same amount of respect.
Alexis Amos you're nice and creepy at the same time.
JUST DO IT
+Patrick Parcivel she didn't ask if you would.
+Terra Rainchild you should do it, just don't be lost in the illusion of chefs in fiction, it's a brutal life.
The dedication and passion is so amazing!
Its 5 am and i am watching a sushi video. Life is good.
Same.
GoatseObama Cali or WA state?
Youre not alone
GoatseObama
Its 9am, not slept yet, sushi everywhere.
+much wow 2pm now
I frequent 242 Fusion often. The dishes are all unique. Miki and the rest of the her team do really well at presenting a great dish with really good balance of flavor and beauty. Glad to see her recognized here.
Respect!
+How To Make Sushi even chef devaux respects her
The look in her eyes when working for Nobu didn't work out because others could not accept a woman as a sushi chef in that environment, broke my heart. :,( Stay strong Miki. I love how her plating and the textures and every detail tell a story. She is an artist.
miki is so down to earth! Cant wait to visit this place one day.
I am 100% visiting her restaurant next time! You're amazing! Miki you're my hero! I've worked in male dominated fields, IT and engineering, in Asia for over ten years. There's just one reason why many men ignore and dislike women in these fields. They want all the money to themselves to buy women's affection with. I was sad to hear that her spirit was almost crushed by such people, and thrilled she opened her own restaurant. Women make great master chefs, and superb cooks.
Nothing against "fusion sushi" or "Westernized sushi" but for me, one of the great things about "traditional sushi" is its simplicity and well, the traditional aspect.
I still wanna try her food though, it looks good!
Love Rice The best thing is diversity. There have to be restaurants, which are die hard classicist. But I really like this restaurant, due to their no to soy sauce - a really cool move!
The good thing here is, that it is not confusion-fusion, the chef just has a vision...
+Dominik MJ (opinionated alchemist) diversity is of importance but the classics and traditionals are cherished for a reason, what makes sushi as a whole special is it's simple distinguishable taste and although her place seems to have really i mean REALLY good stuff you wouldn't go there to eat sushi you would go there to eat what she makes which for all i know could taste even better than sushi
steve J I am usually a classicist. And especially when it comes to sushi I tried a lot, but enjoy only quite a limited selection.
However culinary creations are not everlasting pictures - they are more snapshots, which change with the time.
I feel it a bit boring, to always do the same stuff. Don't get me wrong, the Michelin starred sushi restaurants and the great masters have absolutely their place. But I think she does have her place as well. And given, that sushi originally was rather simple street food and just lately got a "more highbrow reputation", you still call (most of) her creations sushi.
Dominik MJ couldn't have said it better myself
+Love Rice does she make nigiri? the whole video I only saw her do marinated sashimi and rolls.
It is quite inspirational, to see this women, being not the typical artisan, which are usually the stereotype of good sushi chefs.
I believe, that there is definitely more potential in the restaurant, but maybe this would jeopardize the personality of the restaurant.
Anyway - very fun video!
Wow - I'm usually a stickler for old tradition but I love the way this woman is pushing forward the sushi game. This is like a French Japanese fusion.
Respecttttttttt
When a notable male chef tells a woman, "Someday you will work for me," it would always be an Asian that would understand it being a high compliment and return with a, "Thank you, chef!" Generally, any other born or bred American female would take offense. This woman's humility and creativity got her to where she is. Even Morimoto says, "I have only one rule" (regarding sushi) "there are no rules." Some think it's blasphemous but why? All food culture evolves. If it's not good, it falls by the wayside. It doesn't have to be trendy to be good. While I tend to love very traditional sushi myself, it would be an honor to taste this woman's sushi. Not because the woman made the sushi. But because sushi made the woman. Props to her! Love this video!
Been reading a number of comments here and yours is the perspective I find most noble. Thanks for sharing it.
As a sushi chef, I am so glad to see more innovations rather than just traditional values being implemented in the art.
She is the bomb! I love her! Miki you're number one! Inspiring women everywhere to follow their dreams.
What a wonderful human being. I would like to hug her very much.
I live near Laguna Beach, and I went to her restaurant for my birthday. It was awesome. 👍
This has to be one of my favorite chef stories here on Munchies :D. I live in LA County, and I'm definitely going to visit this place. I've only seen one other female sushi chef. Akasaka in Hacienda Heights. Most of her staff are female also. Maybe you should visit her one day. I find funny how men joke about how a woman's place is in the kitchen, but being a chef is so dominant male wise. It's such an oxymoronic behavior. Gender equality and respect shouldn't be an issue in a kitchen.
Great episode! You can really feel what Miki's story and spirit through this video
Male,female I don't care.
If it's good I would eat it.
Same take on bhole
Mugen0445 agree. the people giving her slack for cooking are idiots. they ate their mothers cooking and probably leanred the basics from her too.
Mugen0445 Yup, too bad Japanese society are still bound by that sexist view.
Too bad I'm a Chinese male and I don't give a fuck about gender.
Just good food.
definetely one of the better munchies videos in terms of production and execution!
Her story is so amazing.
Finally someone who respects sushi but believes in change.
Awesome
She has a fusion sushi restaurant,people know it's not traditional, if they enjoy her food they will come back, if they didn't then they will go some place else, I commend her for doing what she likes to do. I personally like a traditional sushi restaurant,as the chef there will also give his personal touch to his creations ,there is always room for improvement and a strive for perfection to achieve this in ones lifetime is called "success " and I hope she is successful .⛩
the amount of love, care, and dedication she puts into her work is inspiring
I love you Miki san thank you for changing so many lives and being such a FORCE. Queer icon and a powerhouse of a woman. Rest in power, we miss you and your amazing artistic sensibility
Nothing against Miki, but that sushi fusion does not appeal to me at all. It all looks like a fucking mess to me. However, that's my opinion, I like sushi the traditional way. In Japan I don't think Miki's idea would work at all, but in the US food from other cultures has always been modified (some would say bastardized and ruined), so I think Miki doing sushi different here is fine. Keep in mind, she is not claiming to be a great sushi chef or anything, or that she represents something better. Miki is only representing herself in her work. She does this because she is passionate about it. Nothing more than that.
I love this series. So much passion and love
This episode was truly fantastic!!
Rest in peace, Miki. You were a true culinary artist and a wonderful person. Sad to have missed the chance to meet again after 10 years.
Oh no! What happened???
@Bobby Keene She passed away on the 28th of July this year. 😔
she created a new Cuisine this woman is inspiring
Loving this series so much!
She is one smart lady
I love it. Thank you for the inspirational story!!
She is insanely passionate about sushi. Now I have to go check this place out.
She never skips leg day.
wow what a cool chef. she might be my favorite one out of all the sushi chef series
that was a good story of her life and her sushi. Wonderful
Love this lady's philosophy. While I love traditional sushi, it's nice to see people pushing it towards the future. That said, that Canyon Roll looked like a mess on plate. Bet it was delicious though :)
To the most bravest and creative chef I know. Rest in peace.
Awesome
sushi art! Awesome!
I love this woman I feel her passion ❤️❤️
best sushi ever, ive tried it and cant stop from it.
I think the development and the culture of fusion sushi is very interesting, much more interesting than traditional sushi.
a lot of her food seems to be swimming in some sort of sauce, and her rolls are laden with either salad or purple goo on the top. most sushi tends to good as a result of its quality and simplicity, taking pleasure from eating the best cut of the best fish on the best rice, carefully prepared by the best sushi chef sorta thing, as opposed to an interesting food wombo combo. obviously ive never tasted it so i cant say whether it works or not. but it really doesnt *look* appealing to me and im fairly sure you can't taste a lot of the inspiration behind the rolls like the laguna canyon one, the idea is cute but it probably won't mean as much to the consumer as it does to her. however the proof of the pudding is in the eating and all that.
+llamaking1995 check out that cut of tuna in the beginning it looks awful. Flash frozen tuna of good quality looks better than that even without adding carbon monoxide. I understand she probably wants to keep costs down and has to resort to her neta swimming in sauces and toppings.
Loved this vid 👏💕
Best video I've read in a while.
I like the part where she says that they work like a well oiled machine. That every part of it has its place, so that way they can make the best of it.
Best one yet!
I love this...!! Girl Power 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️
looked delicious and new but you cant beat the tradition man. She's being innocative and new and we still need people like her but traditional sushi is like an art man
love this spot so much
Looks great!!! I want to try one day!!!!
wow what a cutie
Code Provider OMG CODE GLAD TO SEE YOU HERE!
dsadcasfcasfcqw KHOR isnt she great
+Kio Yoon i'm offensive and i find this everything
+Ezekiel F .. you mean you are offended. If you are offensive, then no one will like you. :)
west sung it's a joke fuck face, no need for explanation
I wonder if Nobu did anything to try to keep her at his restaurant in Las Vegas? Her sushi looks different and awesome.
Maravillosa historia! UNA GRAN CHEF! Éxitos.
what an inspiring video! why oh why oh why did i read the comments! hashtag, when will i learn?!?
A very inspiring woman.
Have you ever interviewed Yuki Chizui from Nadeshiko sushi? I would love to see that.
Deepest respect for her; I wish to come there to have your wonderful sushi. =)
Very interesting dishes.
she seems so nice aww
Magnifique vidéo!
i could relate so so much.
she is amazing!
i want that purple stuff
Sugar, water, purple!
Girl power ✌️✌️✌️✌️
normally hate fusion but this can work
Very cool lady, wish I could sample some of her dishes.
Love this video. Love you Miki. You're an exceptionally talented Chef. Really excellent and creative. I'm sure I could spend $100.00 a person easy. Please, keep sharing these delicious video's. Blessings ChefMike
great segment. :)
Awesome person right there!
She is a very nice lady and i'm sure alot of ppl love her food. She'd be chase out of Japan if she opens restaurant there. Not because of sexism, but she's doing things that aren't considered "good" ways of sushi.
nice story
inspirational
Guess those old Nobu sushi chefs hopped on this video to give it a thumbs down.....
Hearto-san Konichiwa!
Wow. That's a sushi with a healthy dose of salad on top. She really wants you to eat your veggies.
Ha, FINALLY this place gets the props it deserves
I love this woman.
Different Sushi. Why not? :-)
She's awesome
i heard 'megumi'
TADOKORO MEGUMI-CHANNNNN
yes great shef hiro at nove love this place
Beautiful
She seems pretty passionate about it, dats good enough for me
Thought she was Vasquez for a second...
Hella respect.
Haha that knife thing at the beginning! She seems to be a really awesome person.
dang she got some calves
Interesting way at making sushi
This is not Sushi, maybe you can call it American Sushi, or California Sushi. But this is not Sushi. Good for her though looks like she found a place where she can express her talent and that's great!
0:17 😂
Her sushi doesn't appeal to me, but I appreciate these videos.
Go to the all female sushi restaurant in japan
the next episode is going to piss some people off i can feel it.
Amazing woman
Is it just me or are her hands trembling in the shots of her handling knives? I thought that was quite odd for a supposedly accomplished sushi chef. It appears that she struggles with nerves/emotions, which probably contributed to her inability to stick in the all-male kitchen. I'm glad that she found something that worked for her.
what a badass woman