Explore the origins of salmon sushi with T&P FreshFoods

Salmon sushi, a popular dish in Japan and around the world, is known for its freshness, appeal, and rich nutritional value. However, not everyone knows where salmon sushi originated. Let's explore its origins with T&P FreshFoods in the following article!

Discover the origins of salmon sushi

Have you ever wondered about the origins of salmon sushi?

Salmon sushi is a famous dish worldwide, loved by many for its exquisite taste. So, where did this dish originate? Many would immediately think of Japan. Surprisingly, the Japanese were not the "inventors" of this delicious and enticing salmon sushi. In fact, its origins trace back to Norway, introduced through Project Japan in the mid-1980s.

The story began when the Norwegian government needed to find a way to handle the surplus of salmon and started considering export options. Japan, a country with a deep love for fish-based dishes and a long-standing sushi tradition, became the prime target market for Norway.

In 1985, a delegation led by Thor Listau, the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries, along with 20 representatives from export organizations and businesses, traveled to Japan, launching a project named "Project Japan." Their goal was to double Norway's fish export volume and elevate the image of Norwegian fish in Japan. By 1991, Norway's fish exports had increased from 500 million kroner to 1.8 billion kroner. This project not only brought profit to Norway but also significantly influenced how sushi is enjoyed worldwide.

Initially, Japanese sushi was commonly made from tuna and seabream. The Japanese did not have the habit of eating raw salmon, as the Pacific salmon found in Japanese waters did not meet quality and flavor standards for raw consumption. Typically, they grilled salmon or prepared it as kirimi (dried salted salmon). However, the grilled salmon market was not as profitable as sushi, so the Norwegian delegation worked to persuade the Japanese that their Atlantic salmon had superior quality and was suitable for sushi.

Sushi made from fresh Norwegian salmon

The Project Japan initiative focused on changing Japanese perceptions of raw salmon. One example of this was the effort to promote the term "salmon" instead of the traditional "sake." Although the initial changes occurred slowly, a turning point came when the Japanese company Nishi Rei agreed to sell Norwegian salmon as sushi, which helped gradually build consumer trust. By the mid-1990s, Japanese cooking shows began to recognize Norwegian salmon. A few years later, Bjorn Eirik Olsen, the market research director of the project, felt a sense of success when he saw salmon sushi being sold throughout Tokyo.

Project Japan changed the way the Japanese ate sushi, but that was just the beginning. Following this, countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Singapore quickly embraced salmon sushi. Before long, Norwegian salmon sushi became popular worldwide and is now one of the most delicious and widely enjoyed sushi dishes. Today, visitors to Norway, a country regarded as the "indirect" creator of salmon sushi, can enjoy this dish with quality that rivals that of Japan.

Where to buy fresh and quality Norwegian salmon?

Order high-quality fresh Norwegian salmon at T&P FreshFoods.

Fresh Norwegian salmon at T&P FreshFoods is imported from reputable salmon producers such as Salmar and Leroy by air and transported by refrigerated trucks, adhering to international HACCP and ISO 22000:2018 standards. T&P Fresh Foods specializes in providing fresh salmon fillets and whole salmon for restaurants, hotels, and large supermarket chains nationwide. If you are wondering where to purchase reliable salmon, don't hesitate to contact us via Hotline: 1800.6866 to receive fresh, high-quality ingredients.