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Directed by David Gelb, Jiro Dreams of Sushi studies meticulous chef Jiro Ono’s pursuit of perfection in his culinary art: sushi. In the heart of Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Jiro’s restaurant is an unsuspecting global gem. A small, hole in-the-wall restaurant hosting only ten guests per day, Sukiyabashi Jiro has a 3-star Michelin rating -- the first ever sushi restaurant to receive the merit.

 

But regardless of such commendable achievements, the documentary is beautifully inspiring as we watch possibly the greatest sushi chef in the world  continue to chase a higher form of perfection within his craft.

 

The film begins with Jiro’s daily routine. At 85, Jiro still works, excluding holidays, which he abhors. He wakes up before sunrise and catches the train into the city at the exact same time every morning. He then tastes all the fish and comes up with the menu for the day. Carefully, Jiro watches his employees prepare the fish with tasks as specific as massaging an octopus for 50 minutes to soften the meat.

 

As the film progresses, it follows Jiro from his birth to the start of his career and beyond. Gelb emphasizes Jiro’s precision and attention to detail, as well as his value of purity and simplicity, which causes his sushi to transcend from food to art.

 

Also chronicled in the documentary are the trips to the Tokyo fish markets, Jiro’s suppliers, and food critics' commentary on the greatness of Jiro’s sushi. Additionally, we meet Jiro’s sons: Yoshikazu Ono, his first son and apprentice; and his younger son, who runs his own sushi restaurant on the other side of town.

 

A film that will please sushi aficionados and non-lovers alike, Jiro’s story is a testament to the pursuit of perfection and the meaning of hard work. As the title references, Jiro claims he often dreams of new sushi in his sleep. As an aspiring filmmaker, I can only dream to create or capture a story so moving and powerful. Check out the trailer below:

 

 

 

 

- Halee Bernard, YH Staff