Americans can pop into a franchised restaurant for almost every kind of cuisine, from Mexican and Italian to Chinese and, of course, American. Soon, there will be something new for their food-court trays: sushi rolls and teriyaki. Japanese-food chains are spreading to shopping malls and strip-store centers across the U.S.
The rise reflects a change in American appetites. More people are trying to eat healthier foods, say restaurant executives and consultants, and Japanese food can be low-fat and fresh. Think sushi vs. deep-fried calamari. For today's twentysomethings, Japanese food is both familiar—many have been eating it for years—while also unconventional.
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