From Gwen Stefani’s obsession with Harajuku girls to the Hollywood adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha gracing the silver screen, there’s no doubt that Japanese culture has reached far beyond the borders of Japan. Here are just some of the ways this Asian gem has influenced Australia.
Sushi
This culinary delight made of raw fish has proven immensely popular worldwide. Though there are varieties of the food dating back several centuries, it is believed that it became popular across Japan in its current form around the 19th century.
Sushi became known globally via Japanese immigrants in Europe and the US. The first mention of Sushi in Europe was in a Japanese-English dictionary dated 1873. Prince Akihito further popularised Sushi when he served it to Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation.
Sushi supposedly reached Australia in the 1980s. As with many things like good WiFi signal, soccer and film releases…we were a little late in the game. But better late than never!
Hello Kitty
Created in the 1970s, the Hello Kitty image is an unmistakable part of popular culture. Embraced by celebrities like Mariah Carey, the brand rose to mainstream popularity worldwide in the 1990s, and has since been plastered all over the world.
Australia is not immune to Kitty’s charm. In 2014, Australia’s first Hello Kitty Diner opened in Chatswood, Sydney.
Pokémon
We also have the Japanese to thank (or blame) for this immensely popular franchise. Since its inception in the mid-nineties, what started as a video game has evolved into anime series, card games, and films.
Most recently, Pokémon Go blurred the lines between game and reality, enabling thousands of gamers to chase and capture Pokémon characters in all sorts of places from private homes to public bathrooms.
Love it or hate it, there’s definitely no escaping it.
Wagyu Beef
Wagyu is not just delicious, mouth-wateringly good beef. It’s also a huge part of the Australian economy. As the largest Wagyu beef producer outside of Japan, Wagyu production is a staple element of the Australian farming industry.
For Ribs & Burgers’ new Wagyu burger range, we source our Wagyu beef from Mayura Station in South Australia’s beautiful Limestone Coast. Aussie-grown but with the full genetics of Japanese cattle, we get the best of both worlds for our customers while supporting Australian farmers.
At Ribs & Burgers, you can reset assured that we serve only the best Australian-raised 100% Wagyu beef.
Win a trip to Japan
For an opportunity to experience the best of authentic Japanese food and culture, enter our competition today and win a return flight to Japan courtesy of Ribs & Burgers. Order one of the delicious trio of 100% Wagyu Burgers, take the most creative pic you can think of, showcasing your delicious dish. Tag us using #WagyuRB on Facebook or Instagram (make sure the post is public!) for your chance to win.
