Often times I get asked where I think the best sushi is in Seattle.  Its a fair question, because it usually comes after me saying "Ask me where you think the best sushi in Seattle is?"

But what I really think they'd want to know is what does a Japanese* person think a good Japanese restaurant is?  I know this because I can read their mind. 

So I wrote this comic which is up in my comics section, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to plop a blog entry on this.

Trying not to sound too pretentious I usually give people what eateries I like, but with the caveat that I don't get around to eat at all places.  I am a Foodie, but I'm no cook nor professional critic.  

But what I suspect we all think we want is an authentic experience.  Its always annoying to hear people say that this (insert food item) isn't as good as (motherland).  I never expect the sushi to be as good in Seattle as what I had at Tsukiji, nor do I expect a great burger in Tokyo like the local Red Mill Burger.

I don't care if the waiter/waitress speaks Japanese or pronounces everything on the menu correctly.  I don't care if my tea comes in a bag or poured.  I don't care if I sit on a tatami floor.  I really don't care if the sushi chefs are Hispanic, or the owners are Korean or White.  I don't care if the Kansai style plate is served in a Tokyo themed place.

All in all what I really care about is enjoying a shared experience with those I eat with.  That makes my experience authentic.

*-I consider myself Japanese American.

Thank you Blue C Sushi for giving me so much exposure & selling my prints at their downtown location where all four walls are covered with my stuff.
Thank you Ibuki magazine for allowing me to have a comic where I get to say stupid unfunny weird stuff just cause.
Thank you Kobo for always being willing to carry all my prints and really being my HQ for all my prints.
Thanks you Uwajimaya for allowing me to make a bag of a place where as a kid I felt some sort of cultural validation.
Thank you Bluebottle Art Gallery, Wing Luke Asian Museum, Compound Art Gallery, Split Obsession, Rock Paper Scissors, Giant Robot, and Hiroki's for finding ways to collaborate with me.
Thank you to all my supportive coworkers, I respect so much being able to be surrounded by your talent.
Thank you fans for being so enthusiastic about my works, reminding me why I do things.

And most of all I thank my family for always being so supportive of my hobby which has taken me  so many places.

Can you tell I'm in a thankful mood?