'Jiro Dreams Of Sushi': When Food Is Art

Dinner costs about $400 per person to eat at three-star Michelin restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro. There, Jiro Ono, who is in his late 80s, serves about 20 pieces of sushi each to 10 diners per night.

The documentary "Jiro Dreams Of Sushi," coming to theaters March 9, is a beautifully shot film that explores the art of Jiro's sushi, and the reasons why eager diners willingly fork over a considerable sum for the opportunity to taste his food. The film depicts Jiro's sushi as something more than sustenance -- it is his obsession and life's work.

Lest you think sushi is merely a piece of raw fish over rice, "Jiro Dreams Of Sushi" will teach you otherwise. The food preparation process that Jiro's chefs and apprentices go through is painstaking and precise, resulting in a final product that can't be replicated. (Really -- Jiro uses a type of rice that isn't available to anyone else.)

“If you were to drop a grain of rice from the table, you would immediately go after it, the rice is that delicious,” 28-year-old director David Gelb told the New York Times. “I mean, you would chase that grain of rice.”

Throughout the film, nary a word of criticism is said about Jiro. And perhaps his food proves why -- rhapsodic tales of meals there are not hard to find.

"Jiro Dreams Of Sushi" is enjoyable for non-sushi enthusiasts as well. At times, more detail could be useful -- sustainable seafood issues are addressed but glossed over, and there are gaps when discussing both family and restaurant history. But when the film ends, expect to be left with a rumbling stomach, pondering fares to Japan.

Check out the movie trailer and scenes from the movie below:

Comments

[oldwolf49]

12:45 AM on 03/09/2012

Art is not food. Or the other way around if you prefer.

[Zatara]

11:41 AM on 03/08/2012

“If you were to drop a grain of rice from the table, you would immediately go after it.." Of course you would go after, at $400 per person, 20 pieces of sushi, thats about $10 per grain of rice.

[DanielSC]

05:34 PM on 03/07/2012

We have a great sushi restaurant in Laurel, MD (outside of Washington, DC) called Sake where they have excellent food and great presentation. Our tab usually is around 200$ for 3 people but we eat a lot and most times drink enough to take a taxi home. I could not imagine paying 400$ per person!

[fuzzynormal]

11:21 AM on 03/07/2012

Like any good movie, the promoted subject is just the McGuffin. The actual story looks intriguing. The pursuit of mastery by a man and his son's efforts to follow in those footsteps.

Still, I love sushi and I am fascinated by anyone pursuing their idea of perfection.

Plus, it's shot well on a small cheap camera that ambitious filmmakers can afford, so it's worth viewing for that alone.

[mjr91]

09:46 PM on 03/06/2012

Don't know about him - yet. But I am a great fan of Masaharu Morimoto's sushi, have eaten it many times, and if this is that much superior, then I would dive after that grain of rice, too.

[MaybeMilo]

08:58 PM on 03/06/2012

Art indeed.

I'm not a tremendous sushi fan, but this looks like a really interesting film.

[SteenyQ]

03:40 PM on 03/06/2012

mmmm, I'd give my right arm to be sitting in his restaurant tonight!

[O K Ali]

01:54 PM on 03/06/2012

I remember reading about Jiro months ago. He seems like a remarkable chef that truly loves his work. I read that he is even careful about his own diet, doesn't smoke nor drink, as not to transfer any impurities from his skin to the sushi. Dedication.