Japanese islanders drive sales for fish and chips from ex-pat Scot
Japanese islanders are getting a taste of the UK, with fish and chips and deep fried chocolate bars being sold from a van by an ex-pat chef.
Samwell Galbraith, 28, moved to Japan two-and-ahalf years ago after an illustrious career in the UK where he worked in top London restaurants and Glasgow institution Ubiquitous Chip, as well as working in New Zealand and Australia.
Attracted to Japan because of the snowboarding, Samwell, from Aberfoyle near Stirling, only expected to stay for a couple of months, taking up a job at Niseko ski resort on the most northerly island, Hokkaido.
But he was offered another job in “paradise island” Ishigaki, Okinawa, near Taiwan, where he met Kumi, 32.
The couple married a year ago, and have since spent around £15,000 doing up a 1994 Toyota van, now named Bonnie Blue, to serve up their dishes which have proved a hit with locals.
The island is traditionally a tourist resort but has been deprived of international visitors due to Covid restrictions.
Rather than serving deepfried Mars Bars, Samwell said Snickers worked better so opted for that instead.
They also serve British-style fish and chips, which have proved a massive hit – however, they are served with salad rather than mushy peas, due to the hot weather.
Mr Galbraith, who has worked as a chef for ten years, said: “It’s the best place I’ve ever been without doubt, it
is an absolute paradise for us with incredible mountains, jungle, beaches, food, and wildlife.
“I only planned to stay about three or four months to enjoy the snowboarding but I was offered a job at a restaurant within a beautiful small beachside hotel in the countryside and met Yumi in the first month I was here.
“We bought an old food truck, spent three months redesigning and fixing it to
our specifications and then we opened Bonnie Blue.
“We do Uk-style fish and chips but with the freshest local fish straight off the boats brought to us by our friend who is a fisherman and also runs a sashimi shop opposite our apartment, and it has been really popular.
“We have tweaked the traditional fish and chips to be a bit more island-style with three smaller cuts of beer-battered fish, a spoon of fresh crunchy
coleslaw and pea shoots rather than mushy peas. It’s tropical weather here so a bit of fresh salad is a must.
“We use local beer for the batter and season the chips with Nori seaweed salt, and we do deep fried Snickers.
“We chose Snickers because it’s much better than a Mars Bar when fried as the peanuts and nougat hold it together better and give a much better texture when the chocolate and caramel has melted.”
Hospitality restrictions are stricter in Japan than the UK with many restaurants option to remain closed.
No alcohol can be served and restaurants must close at 8pm.
Mr Galbraith said the island is “the best place I’ve ever been without doubt” and is now home, but he said he misses the madness of Old Firm football matches and the sound of Scottish accents.