For years people have tried to get rid of humans when it comes to making sushi which is why Japan has created so many sushi making machines. But as you can see from this commercial a little human touch always makes sushi a bit more special. Really, there’s no explanation needed, just watch this video. via TokyoMango

The forecast called for rain, but the only thing showering were cheers for 11 brave contestants who battled it out for five minute, plus a two minute overtime in our first ever MUNCH MADNESS eating competition.

We didn’t know what to expect in terms of turnout because we’ve never done this event before, but the corridor between Blue C and Starbucks was pack with fans and onlookers.  So what happened?

Jack Monserud, represnting the Alderwood Blue C Sushi took down “Billy The Fridge” from UV and Chris “Futomaki” Fong in a two minute overtime period.  The winning total of plates?  12 for a total of 72 kappa maki in 7 minutes.  Had “Billy the Fridge” finished two more pieces we would have had double overtime, but it was not to be.

Jack is the reigning champion of Munch Madness Vol. 1.

Jack "The Monster" Monserud would not be denied.

Back in 2009, a young Blue C customer, Robin (age 9), was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor.  To show just what a small town we live in, Robin’s nurse in the Pediactric Intensive Care Unit was a good friend of mine named Diane Grimm.  Diane was helping Robin during her recovery when she learned that one of Robin’s favorite places to eat was Blue C.

With the family’s permission Diane called me and told me the whole story, and shortly thereafter we invited Robin to come into Blue C and learn how to roll sushi.  Well, that day finally arrived and Robin had a great time learning the tricks of the trade from Winter Samoya at our University Village location.  (Click on some of the pictures to see some of what she made!)

Meeting Robin and her family was a powerful reminder of why we opened Blue C in the first place.  We just wanted to make people happy.  After seven years of being in business it’s easy to get distracted by things that don’t matter, but when I met Robin it hit home that every day someone walks into one of our restaurants with his or her own personal challenge and it’s our job to genuinely care about the experience we give.

The Summer after her surgery, Robin travelled to Boston for two months of proton radiation therapy.  She will need lifetime monitoring, but after meeting her I believe she will stare down any challenge she may face in the future.

Robin spends time practicing ballet, learning the flute, studying science, climbing trees, and according to her mom, giggling with friends.  We’re proud she can now add sushi chef apprentice to her growing list of interests!

Steve Rosen

Co-Founder, Blue C Sushi

Tourists in Tokyo are temporarily banned for one month from setting foot inside the Tsukiji fish market while a tuna fish auction is in process. The Tsukiji fish market is the world’s largest wholesale market and everyday thousands of tourists pass through the market. Recently drunken tourists have been stumbling to the early-morning auctions directly after a night on the town and have been caught confusing the subtle hand signals used for bidding, and they’ve even hugging & kissing the fish. The recent activity, especially the drunken fish kissing, has prompted the the city government to step in and institute the one-month ban preventing tourists from visiting the auctions. So a word for the wise, if in Tokyo this month, please go home and sleep off your drunken stupor before commencing the site-seeing.

via Weird Asian News

This chewing gum commercial has inspired what seems to be the Japanese version of the infamous Macarena. I suppose if you spoke Japanese this song might be catchy, but it sure has created quite the following. There are over 2,000 youtube videos recreating this dance. (via WTF Japan Seriously)

In the Japanese Prefecture of Nagasaki, you may drive down the road and spot some juicy bus stops, built in the shape of various fruits and veggies. Why you ask? The stops were built for the Travel Expo show back in 1990 with the intent to serve as an attractive gateway for travelers entering the Prefecture. The designers were inspired by the famous story of Cinderella and the scene where the carriage turns into a pumpkin.

A big shout out to Boing Boing and Tokyo Mango for bringing this video to our attention. My day wouldn’t have been the same without it! In this video Japanese people sing along to Weezer, couldn’t be funnier!

Weezer in Japan

Sure, giving your dog a bath can be a real pain in the butt. First you have to catch it, then you have to convince them that getting wet will be fun, then you have to stand back real far in hopes they don’t shake all over you. Sure, for those water loving dogs out there, the getting wet part may not be too hard. But even if you’re a pro, you better be prepared to come out soaking after the whole process.

Well, some lovely people in Japan may have solved all your problems. We’re proud to introduce all you lazy pet owners out there to Joyful Honda’s all-in-one pet washing machine.

Joyful Honda is a pet store in Tokyo that recently installed an automated pet washing machine that shampoos, rinses, and blow-dries a pet in less than 33 minutes.

Has your tabby been very very naughty, this is also the perfect punishment for all those persian rugs the little kitty scratched up. Beware, PETA has not yet found this video, nasty threatening letters will be coming soon.

We are happy to announce that we are completely re-vamping our Bellevue trivia night by bringing in “the pros.” That’s right, from here forward our trivia night will be run by none other than the fine folks at “Geeks Who Drink.”

This will be welcome news to our trivia fans because we can finally claim that we know what we’re doing–’cause we’re not doing it anymore!  (This is a case where you win by us outsourcing!)

So, tell your friends and come on in every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm in the Nomu Lounge above Blue C and Boom Noodle.  May the “smartest” team win.

Each of our six stores will host a qualifying competition wherein 5 eaters battle it out to carry the flag of “Store Champion”.  Each Store Champion will receive a $50 Blue C gift card and additional Blue C gear.  Most importantly, they will advance on to the final round that will be held at our original Fremont location in mid April. All contests will be to see who can eat the most plates of cucumber rolls in a 10 minute period.