Why You Won't See Chefs Ordering Fusion Cuisine At Restaurants

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Chefs Often Steer Clear Of One Cuisine When Dining At Restaurants By Maria Scinto Oct. 4, 2025 12:00 pm EST

The term "fusion cuisine" may have originated in the late '80s, at which time it was quite the trend, but the concept itself is much older. Yōshoku, a type of western-influenced Japanese food which includes the ketchup fried rice omelet called omurice as well as sandos on milk bread , dates back to the 19 th century, while budae jjigae, aka army base stew , is a byproduct of the Korean War (1950 to 1953). Even today, however, both the term and the cooking style remain controversial and some chefs are decidedly anti-fusion to the point where they're unlikely to order these dishes when dining out . Chef Peter of the Brooklyn Sichuan restaurant Meili s