Sushi Village offers a cultural food experience

Jiemei Geng Guest Writer

The Japanese are quite correct in their philosophy of a meal being a reflection of both tradition and the aesthetic. Food should be not only exquisite in taste, but also pleasing to the eye. The fulfillment and awakening of all five senses is an ideal goal.

Due to Japan’s island status and lack of arable land, the diet there consists mainly of seafood and rice. The original version of sushi, narezushi, was fermented fish, salted and pressed with stones. Fermentation, however, was eliminated around the eighteenth century. Today, sushi can be either cooked or served raw (sashimi). Traditionally eaten with one’s hands, sushi is served on a plate with ginger and wasabi. In the past few years, it has become quite popular within the international community and a common place to chitchat, comparable to the English pub.

Poughkeepsie too has managed to stay afloat in trends, and with the grand opening of Sushi Village, the Japanese cuisine is now available to the community. Furnished in typical Japanese décor, everything and everyone are simply delightful. The flavor of the food is light with an appearance of simplicity, contrasting well with the dinnerware. Dictated by tradition, the chef prepares fresh sushi in plain sight at the bar, using ingredients made from scratch.

Originally from Japan, Cai Xiu En, the experienced chef of ten years, started out as an apprentice at the age of 20. He eventually immigrated to the United States and was given a job at Sushi Samba in Manhattan, New York. His love for cuisine stems from his childhood in Japan where he grew up in a fishing community, resulting in a passion for food preparation, especially that of seafood.

Sushi Village offers a variety of options from tempura to curry to sashimi. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections are available. The soups and salads are all meticulously prepared and the menu offers translations of Japanese terms. The prices range from $5 to $20, depending upon item. Combined with the attentive nature of the wait staff and the chef’s talent, Sushi Village should be a definite stop off place.