The Japanese Restaurant: Tasting the New Exotic in Australia

This book explores the growth and operations of Japanese restaurants in Australia since the early 2000s, highlighting how they act as cultural hubs, connecting a diverse community of migrants, Australian citizens, and international tourists. It challenges colonialist and essentialist understandings of the 'exotic and 'Japaneseness' and highlights the complex manifestations of cross-cultural desires, translating practices, and the performative racial-ethnic mimesis of Japanese ethnicity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 142 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the fascinating evolution and operations of Japanese restaurants in Australia since the early 2000s, offering a multi-faceted perspective that encompasses both restaurant workers and consumers. Through a series of firsthand testimonies, collected from a diverse range of individuals including chefs, restaurateurs, gourmets, and casual diners, the author vividly showcases how Japanese restaurants serve as vibrant cultural hubs, uniting a diverse community of migrants, Australian citizens, and international tourists. Moreover, these restaurants play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge about Japanese culinary cultures, captivating the hearts and palates of enthusiasts worldwide.

The ethnographic evidence presented in this book challenges the colonialist and essentialist notions that often categorize the 'exotic' and 'Japaneseness' as the inferior 'other' to the West. By highlighting the complex manifestations of cross-cultural desires, translating practices, and the performative racial-ethnic mimesis of Japanese ethnicity, the book offers a fresh and nuanced understanding of the multifaceted tapestry of Japanese society and culture.

This book is a valuable resource for students and scholars of Japanese society and culture, particularly those interested in Japanese food culture. It provides a critical investigation into the fixed notions of otherness, race, ethnicity, and authenticity, shedding light on the intricate ways in which these concepts shape the experiences and interactions of individuals and communities. Through its rich and insightful content, the book encourages readers to explore the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and its impact on the global culinary landscape.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032423685