The food samples we often see displayed outside restaurants and cafes are so realistic you almost want to pick them up and check!
These food samples are unique to Japanese culture, but do you know how they are made? They are primarily crafted from wax or synthetic resin, and there's a place where you can experience making realistic food samples using traditional methods!
At "Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya" in Tokyo's Asakusa, you can create various food samples while learning directly from skilled artisans.
This time, we introduce you to the fascinating world of making incredibly lifelike food samples!
Let's Work Together! Create a Mixed Pizza Food Sample
At "Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya" Kappabashi store, you can experience making food samples such as Tempura & lettuce, Yakisoba, cream soda, and pizza, all under the guidance of skilled artisans!
This time, we introduce the L-size mixed pizza-making experience, perfect for groups. Group experiences are by reservation only and are conducted with exclusive use of the venue.
1. Making the Pizza Dough
The first step is making the pizza dough, which forms the base of our pizza! Liquid resin is poured into a silicone mold, ensuring it is evenly distributed. After that, the mold is left in a well-ventilated area to dry and harden completely.
Once the resin is removed from the mold, it transforms into a rough-textured pizza dough. It’s so realistically crafted that you might mistake it for actual pizza dough!
2. Making the Toppings
Next, we move on to creating the toppings for the pizza! Since it's a mixed pizza, we will be making a variety of toppings, including seafood, meat, and vegetables.
The U-shaped molds we’re filling with white liquid resin are for making shrimp, a common seafood topping for pizza! We also fill molds for squid and olives with liquid resin and wait for them to harden, just like the pizza dough.
Once the shrimp and squid are removed from the molds, we paint them using liquid wax, just like using paint. According to the craftsman, the wax hardens quickly, so the trick is to paint swiftly. Using brushes to apply color feels like being back in art class.
Here, we are making bell peppers, capsicum, and mushrooms. We thinly cut colored wax with scissors, soften it in hot water, and then shape it by hand. The water is just slightly hotter than bath temperature, so there’s no risk of burning your hands.
Using the same method, we create other common pizza toppings like bacon, onions, corn, and tuna!
The slices being cut are salami, a favorite topping for both adults and children! We pour red and white wax into hot water, form it into a cylinder, and then easily slice it with a heated knife.
The cross-section shows the distinctive white fat of salami, making it feel like we’re slicing real salami!
3. Topping & Finishing
Once all the toppings are made, it's time to start the topping process! First, we apply red wax to mimic tomato sauce. Then, we divide the pizza dough into four sections and add the toppings: teriyaki chicken, salami, seafood, and mixed toppings.
After adding the toppings, we sprinkle wax that looks like cheese on top—an essential element for pizza!
For the finishing touch, we add the "baked" effect using brown wax and sprinkle parsley, seaweed, and mayonnaise to complete the pizza. Just adding the baked effect makes the pizza look so delicious you can almost smell it!
You can choose to take your pizza home as whole slices or as a complete pie. Since the freshly made food samples have toppings that aren't fully set, try to transport them gently and store them in a cool, well-ventilated place.
The Allure of Food Samples Beyond Shop Windows
There are various theories about the history of food samples, but it is generally believed that their commercialization as commercial art began in the late Taisho to early Showa period. This expressive technique was devised in Osaka, where business was thriving, and spread throughout Japan after being displayed as "food models" in front of department store restaurants. The manufacturing techniques of food samples, which have grown as a unique Japanese culture, continue to be inherited and evolved by Japanese craftsmen today.
Especially noteworthy is the high praise from around the world for videos showing the process of making food samples. In recent years, the range of products has expanded to include magnets, keychains, and accessories, and it is not uncommon to see tourists from abroad buying them as souvenirs.
Fun for All Ages! A Perfect Experience for Creating Memories
While this time we introduced a group food sample-making experience, making Tempura & lettuce samples is also available for couples, parents, and children. Participants from both Japan and overseas are increasing, so if you want to try making food samples, be sure to book in advance through the official website!
At "Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya," not only can you find food samples and goods, but also kits that allow you to create food samples at home. The shop also displays many unique and humorous food samples, making it enjoyable just to browse around.
When sightseeing in Asakusa, be sure to check out "Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya"!
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