How I Became A Sushi Chef: From apprentice to teacher

by Kaz Matsune

From his humble start as a Sushi apprentice at a Rock 'n' Roll Sushi restaurant on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, Kaz Matsune has become a Sushi Teacher and business owner of Breakthrough Sushi in San Francisco, the first and only Sustainable Team Building Sushi Class Company in the US.

It was the year 2000 when Kaz knocked on the door of Sushi Restaurant in West Hollywood. Despite the lack of experience, the owner told him to come back in two days to start his training.

The narrative is an in-depth look at what and how Kaz learned the art of Sushi making and work ethics and life lessons through many of the Japanese Sushi masters in Los Angeles, many of who had training in Japan. The story also focuses on waitresses, celebrity customers, fish vendors, restaurant owners and patrons who came to eat and party at one of the first Rock 'n Roll Sushi restaurants in Los Angeles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food

318 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2019

About the author

Kaz Matsune is a storyteller and speaker who uses food as a medium to share life lessons. A Japanese chef who has spent over a decade observing American culture through the lens of sushi-making, he challenges assumptions, inspires curiosity, and helps people find meaning in simplicity—one bite at a time. His happiness stems from seeing the positive impact of his work on the world.

As the founder of Breakthrough Sushi, the first and only sustainable team-building sushi company in the United States, Kaz has redefined sushi-making as an interactive, mindful experience. Since 2012, he has taught over 20,000 American participants, discovering that the precision required for sushi reveals profound truths about how differently cultures approach mastery, mistakes, and meaning. Blending storytelling with culinary artistry, he bridges Eastern and Western philosophies to spark learning, laughter, and discovery.

A natural storyteller, Kaz is known for his humor, warmth, and ability to connect deeply with audiences. Whether leading sushi workshops, delivering keynote talks, or writing, he seamlessly weaves tradition, creativity, and personal growth into every experience.

Beyond the kitchen, Kaz is an Amazon bestselling author with four books, and his work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Apple News, and Slate. He has appeared on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen and in ad campaigns for Adobe, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, and Grammarly, amassing over 30 million views on YouTube. As a speaker, he has shared insights at Adobe, Autodesk, and UC Berkeley, and he previously served as a board member of the San Francisco Professional Food Society.

Whether crafting sushi, sharing transformative stories, or rethinking the way we approach food and life, Kaz Matsune continues to inspire and delight audiences with his unique blend of culinary artistry, mindfulness, and storytelling.

Reviews

[Eve Hal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story deserves a 5-star. I am always fascinated by people's lives, especially those who inspire. It's not every day we see someone from a humble background and one of the best cultures in the world to reach the position where Kaz Matsune is now. I wasn't sure about eating sushi before, after reading this book, I went to my cousin's place, found a sushi restaurant (in India), and tasted my first sushi, and I loved it!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's a great book, you can learn a lot about sushi and another things that usually happen in a kitchen. I think this book is based on the real experience of Kaz, and maybe many people do the same but they don't say it. In some parts, I really feel like he was telling me my history, o the same that I been seeing on my work. It's very easy to read, for people who inglish isn't native idiom. Thanks Kaz for your honest words.

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaz Matsune teaches us a lot about sushi and life in his memoir How I Became a Sushi Chef! Matsune brings us along his crazy life, from Hollywood to building a business. His writing flows like a novel, but also helps teach some tricks of the trade along the way! I actually knew nothing about sushi or the cooking business before reading this, but Matsune’s life was highly fascinating! Check this one out if you love food, business, or just want to spend a day in someone’s adventurous life!

[Andreana Bernardino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a light hearted enjoyable read about the atypical pathway to sushi chef. The book follows the path of Chef Kaz and his adventures learning how to be a sushi chef. Along the way, the reader also learns about the magic behind sushi, the traditions of a sushi master, and how that is turned on its head in the US. A fun read!

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading about how Kaz became a sushi chef. What a fascinating journey! I was a little distracted by some typos and grammar issues. I also thought it was odd that he included a ton of details about some girl he had a crush on for a while, but nothing about how he met his wife.

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you really enjoy eating sushi, you'll likely enjoy reading this book. It offers insights for not only people who know very little about sushi, but also for the more experienced diner. It did not go into depth as much as I had expected, but seemed to keep a slightly lighter tone throughout. Matsune's text is widely accessible and broken down into easily digestible pieces. While the edition I read had a bit of repetition in parts (may have been edited out in later edition), the book is still a quick & entertaining read.

I received a Kindle copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to the publisher and author for participating.