What’s the truth about Viral Japanese fake food?

Growing vegetables usually involves a whole lot of time and effort. Not so in Japan, however, where delectable, crunchy-looking vegetables can appear before your very eyes in a matter of minutes!

We’ve all been amazed by realistic sample displays in restaurant windows, but even the Japanese are gobsmacked with the way this man transforms liquid into real-looking produce. Check out the videos to see how it’s done after the break.

Filmed in Gujo Town in Gifu Prefecture, the birthplace of Japan’s plastic food display industry, the seven-and-a-half-minute video shows how the magic starts with a ladle of opaque wax poured into warm water.

Add some colour and a few deft hand movements, and the liquid magically transforms into a ripe-looking cabbage!

After slicing the cabbage with a hot knife, he dips the piece in cold water to harden and preserve it.

The wizardry continues with a tempura prawn. The delicate batter forms the moment the wax hits the water.

All that’s left to do is add the plastic prawn and wrap it in the batter. While it might look like he’s frying his hands in scorching hot oil, rest assured, it’s only water that’s heated to 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

To see the smooth and precise hand movements of a master, check out the video below.

-watch full video-

The best thing about this is anyone can have a go! While professional food replicas are created with plastic for durability, these wax models are safe and easy to make. A number of places in Gujo offer classes to the public so you can drop by and make your very own creations. Then take them home to fool your friends!

Source: DDN Japan
Screenshots: YouTube – Macdeetube