Food and fashion are more of a natural fit than you’d imagine. Both require a unique design sense, and with the perfect blend of ingredients—or fabrics—you can create a product that is totally unique. So it’s no wonder that the two should finally come together in the form of sushi sneakers.
Yujia Hu is a sushi chef in Milan, Italy and the owner of the Japanese restaurant Sakana Sushi Milano. A lifelong NBA fan, Hu took his love of sports and incorporated it into his work. His very first creation was the iconic Jordan—an ode to his favorite player—Michael Jordan.
Anyone who’s spent time with a sneakerhead can tell you that collectors are always on the hunt for the most exclusive shoes. I first saw these feats of edible footwear on Food & Wine, where Hu’s creations ranged from Nikes to Supremes; even Vans.
I talked with Hu, who told me that his current obsession is with Anti Social Social Club wear. It’s clear that he’s a streetwear fan and it helps that Hu’s girlfriend is a freelance fashion stylist who keeps him up to date, and helps provide inspiration for his creations.
Common sushi ingredients are used to created these savory shoes. Sushi rice, seaweed, and fish are all easily manipulated into edible footwear. Hu starts by giving shape to the shoes using the rice as a base, then using images from his phone he tries to replicate all the small details using a knife, scissors, or even thin bamboo to keep everything in place.
Patience is on his side as these tiny shoes can take up to thirty minutes to create. The payoff is a gorgeous ode to fashionable footwear that any sneaker fan would love to have for lunch.
In keeping on theme with his love of basketball, Hu has taken his art a step further by creating accompanying onigiri (rice balls) of his favorite NBA players.
Check out more of Hu’s edible shoe art on his instagram @theonigiriart.
Are these fish ready to augment your feet? Â Or do you wanna carp about it? Let us know in comments!
