Sushi: History and Globalization

Sushi was first eaten in the Edo-era in Tokyo in the nineteenth century. Sushi use to be a method or meat preservation with vinegar rice. Sashimi was widely eaten way before there was "sushi", however, it was later combined to create modern day sushi. Now it is virtually found in every major city in the United States. Sushi, however, is not from big corporations like McDonalds who opens restaurant all around the world; it globalized in a different way. Sushi came from immigrants who traveled to the United States in the nineteenth century when they came to the United States to work on the railroads. However, sushi is not just enjoyed in the United States and Japan, it is globalized. Sushi is eaten in many countries all around the world. Sao Paulo in Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people outside Japan. There is more sushi bars in Sao Paulo than Brazilian barbeque shops. Sushi has also changed to match the taste of local flavors. For example, one of the greatest (and popular) addition to sushi is the California Roll. California rolls inclues avocados which is not used in traditional Japanese cooking. In Brazil, Mango is used in sushi to match local taste. 

Source: The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy