Yelp: Our Sense of Taste

Many students in our class are American students, and they are specialists of American food.  They know what are good Burgers, Fried Chickens, and Chilies.  However, I am the only Japanese student in this class, which means I am the only specialist to Japanese food.  I know good sushi, sashimi, miso soup, katsu, and so on, but I know nothing about American food.  Whatever people serve me, I would think “oh, this should be the most authentic taste”.


 First of all, just let you guys know that there is no American TERIYAKI thing in Japan.  Teriyaki in Japan is similar but totally different food.  However, everyone in the US, except for Japanese, strongly believe that its Japanese food.  Japanese soy-source company, called Kikkoman USA, has produced the TERIYAKI source since 1957, but it has never been sold in Japan.  At least, I have never seen one in Japan.

 When I was looking for Japanese restaurant on Yelp, I found couple restaurants saying “We are the most authentic Japanese restaurant in town”, and I tried both of them.  I liked the tastes of both, but I would say they are little different from real Japanese foods.  There is no California roll in Japan, and I have never seen rolls that seaweed is inside and rice is outside.  Japanese Maki-Sushi is supposed to be seaweed outside and rice inside.  However, if they call themselves they are the most authentic, then it become so to customers who do not the real Japanese taste.

By creating many accounts on Yelp, it allows them to give themselves 5-stars.  Also, restaurants can give competitions bad reputation.
 But, is this not a lie to customers?  Is this ethical? Although the taste and texture is very similar, is it really Japanese food?  Although I am saying this, I am one of American sushi funs.  I think the answer is inside of you. I believe my sense of taste.