i dont want no sunshine rainbow catepillar out my ass rolls

i was asked by a reader to write a post about my thoughts on fusion cuisine.

oh lordy. people that know me well would say dont ask me to talk about ANYTHING because i will ramble on for hours.

hours.

ill try not to ramble too much.

ive said some contradictory things about this subject.

i have been quoted saying exactly what this title says. but let me explain why i said it. when im going for a nigiri experience with a well seasoned sushi chef, dont give me a sunshine roll.

but theres nothing wrong with rolls in of itself. when done properly, they are some damn tasty rolls. one of the best tasty sushi treats ive ever had was a spicy tuna roll. no joke. it wasnt bad tuna masked with mayo and spicy seasoning, it was good tuna, spicy, rolled up with some rice. it had a purpose. to be a tasty roll.

some restaurant owners think "fusion" is a gimmick to bring people in.

that is the wrong approach.

the blending of food and cultures is a good thing. the first time i bit into a chicken tikki masala burrito, it blew my mind. why didnt i think of this? this is brilliant!

ive also been to places that throw down a white table cloth, serve wine and smear some sriracha on a plate, serve mediocore (fill in the blank) asian dishes... all done by an white chef and call it fusion. not to mention a $30 a plate price tag.

wrong approach.

ive also been to places that take traditional japanese dishes, use what is considered to be western cooking techniques and make beautiful music.

i walk out stuffed and amazed with what people can do with food.

"fusion" is a term thrown around too much, usually referring to really craptastic food.

but as a category of food, theres nothing wrong with it. much like the term "foodie", i kinda hate it. foodie usually refers to someone who thinks they know food, who uses their limited knowledge of food to make themselves feel superior to someone who doesnt. thats not a foodie. thats an asshole. its sad that so many people adopted the term in the wrong way, that it became the n word.

food, like everything important in life, should have a purpose. the purpose will define what you are.