Jews & Sushi

Is Sushi Kosher?

Sushi, which originates in Japan, is not inherently Jewish. The concept of sushi was likely introduced to Japan in the ninth century, and became popular there as Buddhism spread. The Buddhist dietary practice of abstaining from meat meant that many Japanese people turned to fish as a dietary staple. 


There is nothing particularly Jewish about sushi, except, arguably, the consumption of room-temperature fish, which seems reminiscent of lox, sable, herring and gefilte fish. 

Sushi comes to America

Los Angeles was the first city in America to successfully embrace sushi. In 1966, a man named Noritoshi Kanai and his Jewish business partner, Harry Wolff, opened Kawafuku Restaurant in Little Tokyo.

Is Sushi Kosher?

Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut or kosher, dictate what foods Jews are allowed to eat. Sushi can be made kosher, but it requires careful adherence to these laws. This includes using kosher-certified ingredients, ensuring the separation of dairy and meat products, and following specific preparation and cooking methods. 


Some kosher sushi restaurants specialize in this type of cuisine to cater to Jewish dietary requirements. In fact, today, 80-90% of kosher restaurants serve sushi, according to Rabbi Elefant, the Chief Operating Officer of the

Orthodox Union.

Jews in Japan

I would be remiss to not discuss Jews living in Japan as a part of this post. 


Jews and their culture are by far one of the most minor ethnic and religious groups in Japan, but Jewish history in Japan dates all the way back to 1572, when Spanish Conversos arrived by ship. Japan has gone through waves of accepting, shunning, and encouraging Jewish community at different times and during different regimes through history.


Today, there are several hundred Jewish families living in Tokyo, and a small number of Jewish families in and around Kobe. There are community centers serving Jewish communities in Tokyo and Kobe.