Every time I go to Japan, I can't help marveling at the hyper-realistic food replicas displayed in restaurant windows. Next month those edible illusions get their own spotlight at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in "Looks Delicious! | Exploring Japan's Food Replica Culture."
Called shokuhin sampuru (sample foods), those astonishingly lifelike food models that have captivated restaurant-goers like me for over a century. On my many trips to Japan, I've found myself lingering at storefront displays, studying glistening bowls of ramen and perfectly crafted sushi rolls that look good enough to eat — even though they're made entirely of resin and wax. Alan Watts once warned, "The menu is not the meal," but sampuru might be the glorious exception: a feast for the eyes that never spoils and never empties.
The free exhibition, running through January 2026, features work from Iwasaki, a leading manufacturer of these edible illusions. Visitors will see everything from floating noodles to perfectly melted grilled cheese sandwiches across seven exhibition sections. A special commissioned collection represents signature dishes from all 47 Japanese prefectures. The show includes hands-on elements too — guests can design their own bento boxes using replica ingredients and photograph their creations.
"This groundbreaking exhibition showcases how these edible illusions have evolved from practical marketing tools into a uniquely Japanese art form," says Simon Wright, Director of Programming at JAPAN HOUSE London and the exhibition's curator. Having experienced firsthand how these displays can stop pedestrians in their tracks on Japanese streets, I'm eager to see this craft celebrated in Los Angeles.
Previously:
• How Japanese-style business culture applies to today's new 'business normal'
