Featured Image Credit: cascadianrhythm.com
By: Amanda Kelley
Calling all sushi addicts and conservationists! How stoked would you be to know that somewhere out there, there is a 100% sustainably sourced sushi restaurant??
And by somewhere, I mean West Seattle, Washington. Mashiko Japanese Restaurant and Sushi bar has been in business for about two decades, creating succulent dishes and loyal customers along the way.
Mashiko was established in 1994 by owner and head chef Hajime Sato. As a Japanese American, Sato believes that food is one of the most powerful languages in defining and integrating cultures. His restaurant presents the traditional Japanese dish with new and exciting twists.
Photo Credit: Bettina Hansen/The Seattle Times
In 2009, he had the idea to source all of the seafood for Mashiko’s sushi from sustainable providers. For Sato, this means considering the traceability of a food source (where did it come from?), the health of fish populations, the type of fishing methods used, and responsible farming practices.
While this may seem restrictive to some chefs, Sato sees it as an opportunity for creativity.
Mashiko has not served the traditional sushi staple of Bluefin tuna since 2009, but that has not stopped customers from flooding in to try Sato’s dishes that feature anything from sustainably raised catfish from North Carolina to local mollusks like moonsnails and limpets.
Though he had always maintained a green mindset, Sato started full speed down the path of sustainability at a Seattle dinner conference hosted by Casson Trenor, author of “Sustainable Sushi: A Guide to Saving the Oceans One Bite at a Time.”
The dialogue on sustainable seafood paired with the 100% sustainable dinner that was served inspired Sato to pledge that his restaurant would make the change within just three months!
He has delivered on his promise, and Mashiko is continuing to thrive thanks to the guidance of Casson Trenor and partnerships with organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.
Photo Credit: Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
Guests are even presented with a sustainable seafood guide when they receive their check at Mashiko so that when they purchase seafood in the future, they can practice sustainable consumption habits on their own.
Download your own copy of the portable seafood guide here, or download the free app!
Read more about Mashiko on their website.