WORKING -- Gen Sakamoto

Story by Noaki Schwartz; photo by Sean Hiller

HE IS

A cyber sushi chef.

SERVING UP SMILES

Sakamoto serves up sushi at Ooiso, a Japanese restaurant in Costa Mesa.

The 32-year-old has been slicing the fishy delicacies for more than three

years.

He first came to the restaurant and began to train, when the original

sushi chef decided to quit.

It took Sakamoto one month to learn the basics and another six to expand

his technique, he said.

“The best part is when the customers eat my sushi and smile,” he said.

FROM GEMS TO CARS TO RAW FISH

Sakamoto is a Renaissance man of sorts. He’s moved through a number of

career tracks and hobbies.

Back in his hometown of Tokyo, Sakamoto worked in a jewelry store before

moving to America to sell cars. After about four years as a car salesman,

he decided he wanted to become a sushi chef.

These days, in addition to making sushi, Sakamoto also creates Web pages.

CYBER SUSHI

Since working as a sushi chef, Sakamoto said he’s noticed that most

customers in California don’t seem to know how to eat sushi properly.

“I put directions on the [Ooiso] Web site,” he said.

Many sushi fans take pieces and dip the rice side into the soy sauce,

causing the whole thing to fall apart. Sakamoto said the proper technique

is to dip the sushi, fish side first, into the soy sauce and then to pop

the whole thing in your mouth.

“It tastes much better this way,” he said, adding that he was surprised

that so many Americans can use chopsticks.

RARE ROLLS

Another surprise, said Sakamoto, are the types of sushi -- such as the

California roll -- that aren’t available in Japan.

The crunchy roll, which features shrimp tempura, cucumber and spicy

sauce, is another American invention.

“I think if we sold that in Japan, maybe they’d like it,” he said.

It’s one of the most popular items on the Ooiso menu.

Even so, Sakamoto recommends more of the traditional sushi -- tuna and

yellowtail.

SURFING SUSHI CHEF

For Sakamoto, the move from Japan to California seven years ago wasn’t

too terrifying. He was an avid surfer in Japan and was drawn to the beach

atmosphere.

“My friend used to live here, so I decided to explore the world,”

Sakamoto said. “I like summer and California has great summers.”

He added that he also likes the low-stress, easygoing people.

Still, Sakamoto thinks about traveling and relocating to new horizons. He

said he’s thought about moving to Hawaii or the East Coast.