Sushi with a Designer Flare

A seaweed store in Ibakari Japan has teamed up with advertising agency I&S BBDO (http://www.isbbdo.co.jp) to produce an inspired and imaginative new product: beautifully designed, lasercut sheets of nori seaweed for wrapping sushi.

Umino Seaweed Store’s sales suffered after what is believed to be the world’s largest tsunami struck Japan’s eastern coast in March 2011. In an effort to revive sales and discover innovative possibilities for seaweed, ‘Design Nori’ was created and has been flourishing ever since.

The intricate ‘Design Nori’,features five patterns including ‘Connected Birds’ and ‘Bamboo Grasses & Japanes Apricots’, traditional Japanese symbols  that represent positive inspirations such as happiness and longevity. As well as attempting to uncover customers’ inner well-being, Umino Seaweed Store is also conscious of environmental health, ensuring that the clippings are not wasted, but instead used as decoration for sushi rolls.

Unfortunately ‘Design Nori’ is not currently available outside of Japan, but why not have a go at creating your own funky designs by purchasing plain nori sheets e.g. at:

http://www.japanesekitchen.co.uk – UK

http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com - US

and perhaps mini patterned hole punchers which can be found at any large stationary store…most probably in the children’s aisle, but don’t let that put you off, this creative task could be an ideal way to blow off steam!

Different designs: 'Sakura' - Cherry blossom, 'Asanoha ' - Hemp, 'kikkou' - turtle shell.