US university accused of cultural appropriation over 'undercooked' sushi rice

Critics say complaining college students had 'no idea' about the real world

A student said sushi took years of apprenticeship to perfect in Japan (file pic) (Getty)

Students have accused their catering hall of "cultural appropriation" after claiming food including sushi being served them is inauthentic.

University students at Oberlin College, Ohio, said poor imitations of foods that originate in other countries are offensive to them and long-standing culinary traditions, according to the Oberliner Review.

The catering company, which has produced Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese foods, has said the dishes aim to bring "cultural diversity" to the American students' meal choice.

But Diep Nguyen, a first-year student from Vietnam, said the traditional Banh Mi sandwich promised by the dining hall was a cheap imitation of the east Asian dish.

Rather than a crispy baguette of grilled pork, pate, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs, she said the dish involved ciabatta bread, pulled pork and coleslaw.

"It was ridiculous," said Ms Nguyen.

"How could they just throw out something completely different and label it as another country's traditional food?"

Another student, Tomoyo Joshi, said the undercooked rice and lack of fresh fish in the sushi rolls were disrespectful to a delicacy which often took years of apprenticeship to perfect in Japan.

"When you're cooking a country's dish for other people, including ones who have never tried the original dish before, you're also representing the meaning of the dish as well as its culture," said Ms Joshi.

"So if people not from that heritage take food, modify it and serve it as 'authentic', it is appropriative."

But not all students agreed, and many commentators also did not.

Several students suggested the canteen should still serve the foods but not label them with cultural names.

Others said the students were too sensitive in general.

"Great, so not only do millenials believe in abolishing free speech, they are now offended by cafeteria food," said Nick Poutine in the comments for the Oberlin Review.

"They butchered American dishes just the same when I was your age. You don't like cafeteria food, pack a lunch!

"College students have no idea about the real world."

Other commentators asked whether Italian students were upset by what "passed" as pizza, or Mexican students about tofu tacos.

Another said the idea of "cultural appropriation" has been culturally appropriated from liberal America in the first place.