East Side Sushi Page #3

I don't have time to train tonight.

No need to train. I'll make it

and show it to you for approval.

You are needed in the kitchen.

Billy can take over both

stoves for a little bit.

I can make maki rolls and nigiri.

One sake nigiri and one toro nigiri.

I can do those.

Aki, trust me.

Excuse me, can I get another hamachi?

Sure.

Do this one order.

But you cannot prepare it up here.

Why not?

It's not acceptable, not for Mr. Yoshida.

And you are not dressed appropriately.

Okay. I'll do it in the kitchen.

No. It would affect the taste.

For now, prepare it in the stockroom.

That was fast.

Hey.

Can you handle these phone orders too?

Yeah, no problem.

Hey. You know how to make the Raider roll?

That's the first one I learned.

Hey.

Oh.

Konnichi-Juana.

Get it?

Konnichi-Juana.

I heard of Tijuana.

Marijuana.

But never "konnichi-Juana".

Good one.

That was very impressive tonight.

Was it all good?

I could not have done better.

Because you are stand-in sushi chef,

you get sushi tips.

Wow.

Thank you.

Hey, I can help you tomorrow.

Uh, maybe.

Mr. Yoshida might be able to help tomorrow.

Don't rush.

And customary to share sake with your chef.

This is my secret stash.

Not even my best customers get to try this.

Salud!

Oh, yes, kanpai.

This is good. This is quite an honor.

Thank you.

No, thank you for helping tonight.

When did you have time to practice?

I have a hungry family.

If they don't like it,

like my Pa, I modify it.

I've made roasted poblano rolls,

chile relleno rolls,

rolls with jalapeos instead of wasabi.

Hey, Aki.

I want to be a sushi chef, here at the bar.

I can work as your apprentice.

Maybe I can work as your apprentice.

I'm serious.

- Juana.

- Come on, I can do this job.

You know I can.

I don't know if that's such a good idea.

And you are doing a great job back there.

I've been working back there

for too long in too many kitchens.

Besides, I want to be a sushi chef,

not a sous chef.

I understand.

But to be out here, you need a...

You need to have a relaxed

- and calm demeanor.

- I do!

I mean, I'm calm and relaxed!

Back there, you can be

as crazy and messy as you want.

But to be up here...

Up here, you need to be confident,

clean and tight.

This area has to be pristine.

Have you seen my stove? It's pretty clean.

It is too soon.

Mr. Yoshida would never approve.

Well, I will prove it to Mr. Yoshida, then.

And you are not Japanese.

I'm only speaking for Mr. Yoshida here.

Aki, speak for yourself,

not for Mr. Yoshida.

Kyung is not Japanese either. He's Korean.

But he was trained in Japan.

And Robert? He's Chinese.

Juana...

You're a woman.

Why would you want to work up here?

See? I knew it. This is

because I'm a woman.

You know I can do this job

just as good as any man.

- I'm only speaking for Mr. Yoshida.

- Mr. Yoshida, yes.

Relax.

I think the sake's getting to your head.

I don't know.

If I walked into a taqueria and I saw

a bunch of Asians cooking the food,

- I'd probably think twice.

Sure, maybe.

But if that same taqueria

had all Latino workers,

and just one Asian...

One Asian.

Would that be okay?

Look...

Come in early tomorrow morning.

You can help me scale and slice fish.

Arigato.

And put your name on the sake box.

- Ready?

- Hai.

What is going on here?

I-

I was just helping, sir.

We do not need your help there.

You are not to make sushi.

It is not a job for you.

It's just that they were short-staffed,

and I can help out.

You were hired for the kitchen.

Okay, sir. But let me just show you that...

lam running a restaurant,

not a cooking school.

You want to become a sushi chef?

You go try another restaurant, not here.

Come on!

One yellow tail, one red snapper

and a blue shrimp.

Sure.

Hey, one Hawaiian roll and salmon nigiri?

No. No way.

Mr. Yoshida will have both our heads.

I cannot afford to lose my job right now.

Give me the ticket.

Thank you. But you're not supposed to

make it out here.

Sorry, it was just faster.

Okay, go ahead. But don't

make a show of it.

Okay, you're off the hook.

Mr. and Mrs. Yoshida are here.

- Mr. Yoshida.

- Mr. Wagner.

I'm rather surprised

with your new sushi chef.

Sushi chef?

Yes, the woman?

There's a misunderstanding.

She is not a sushi chef. I assure you.

Good.

I like the authenticity of this place.

Have a good night.

I leave you in charge of my restaurant...

...and this is what happens?

Sir?

You had her out front?

I'm sorry. I asked for her help and...

Yes. That is why I am here now.

Can't you handle this sushi bar?

Yes sir, but she is...

Do not soil my reputation!

We can't hire just any cook off the street.

It's not your place to hire.

Who prepared this?

Juana.

Fine, send it off.

- Wow.

- Wow.

- That's beautiful.

- Beautiful work, Mr. Yoshida.

Would you like some sake?

Thanks again for your help.

Sure.

I'm going to ask Mr. Yoshida

if you can assist at the sushi bar.

No, thanks.

What do you mean, "No, thanks"?

I thought you wanted to help.

It doesn't matter.

Mr. Yoshida will think you're an idiot.

Forget it.

- I'll talk to him.

- I said no.

I can handle my own battles, thank you.

It's his restaurant. He

can do what he wants.

Deadline.

Can I print from here?

Shhh.

It says I have to videotape myself making

traditional sushi...

...and show photos of my own creations.

"Your signature roll should be original

but not stray too far from tradition."

Apa.

If you're not going to support me, can you

at least pretend that you're interested?

Come on, Pa.

Look...

I'm not running away from my roots here.

You know...

...sometimes I think you're just happy with

us working, but never succeeding at anything.

Look...

You don't need to prove to anyone

that you are a good chef.

A good sushi chef, yes.

But you don't need to go on some game

show to prove it to people.

But we need the money, right?

Our computer is dead. Lydia needs a new

uniform, a backpack and a cell phone.

A cell phone? I don't

even own a cell phone.

Unfortunately, those are things kids need

nowadays. And I can't give them to her.

And it will pay for Lydia's tuition for

two more years.

Look...

Jorge...

...has a video camera.

Give him a plate of chicken mole...

...and he'll lend it to you.

That's right.

But I still don't know

what kind of sushi to make.

Only God knows.

If you can't beat them at their game,

beat them at your game.

Shh!

Nobody speak.

Okay, Apa, when I'm making this,

whatever you do,

make sure you do not show my face.

Just keep the camera on the food

and my hands.

- Okay?

- Okay.

I'm ready.

Okay.

Fifty-seven seconds.

Now I need to make a signature roll.

What's a signature roll?

It's my own roll.

Something original but not stray

too far from traditional sushi.

So you have to use the rice

and those green tortillas?

And this.

Hmm.

Can I have one?

Yeah, go ahead.

Wait, not that one. It might be too hot.

- It is...

- Mmm.

Can I have another?

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