Space Cravings Spark Kitchen Creativity on the ISS
Life on the International Space Station (ISS) doesn’t include a sushi bar — at least, not officially. But when one NASA astronaut admitted a fierce craving for the Japanese delicacy, her crewmates decided to do something about it. The result? A whimsical experiment in ‘space sushi’ that’s lifting spirits hundreds of miles above Earth.
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps had been joking — or maybe not — about wanting sushi. That casual comment sparked an idea among her team aboard the ISS: why not try making a version of sushi with what they had on board?
The video of their effort, recently shared by NASA, shows the astronauts squeezing soy sauce onto floating tortillas, rolling up rice packets, and laughing through the process. And yes — they managed to make it sort of look like sushi. The space-friendly version skipped fresh fish, of course, due to zero options for raw seafood onboard. Still, the visual and, apparently, the taste weren’t too far off for a surprise success.
Inside the Microgravity Sushi Session
There’s no kitchen or stovetop on the ISS — meals are heated in food warmers and rehydrated from vacuum-sealed pouches. In that environment, little improvisations count for a lot. For their DIY sushi, the crew used tortillas (common substitutes for bread in space, since they cause fewer crumbs), sticky white rice, and seaweed snacks they happened to have in storage.
As the converted crew quarters temporarily became a sushi station, Epps’ joy was easy to spot.
“The crew saw I was craving sushi, and they made it happen — kind of,” she laughed in a clip shared by NASA. “Space sushi. It’s not Nobu, but it works.”
Other crew members joined in on the fun, replicating sushi rolls using rice packets tucked into tortillas and topped with seaweed and soy sauce. Watchful of the fluids floating in zero gravity, they handled the process with bursts of both care and laughter.
Why Food Psychology Matters on Deep Space Missions
Food isn’t just about nutrition for astronauts. On months-long stints far from Earth, meals double as emotional anchors — offering comfort, routine, and even moments of joy. NASA understands that well. That’s why the agency has long invested in research around space cuisine: what keeps people nourished both physically and mentally.
Replicating familiar or culturally significant dishes — even in altered forms — can have major psychological benefits. NASA’s food systems team often factors in crew morale when selecting or updating menus. Occasionally, they allow astronauts to bring small quantities of personal favorites — anything from candy to hot sauce.
This moment of levity aboard the ISS wasn’t about nutrition. It was about connection, creativity, and home. These soft aspects of space travel tend to get less airtime than rocket launches — but arguably, they’re just as vital.
Experiments in Flavor and Friendships
The sushi stunt was just one of many unique food improvisations astronauts have tried over the years:
- NASA’s Scott Kelly tried growing — and eating — the first space-grown lettuce in 2015.
- ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti famously brewed espresso in zero gravity in 2015 using a special machine.
- Russian cosmonauts have brought cans of borscht and even tubes of puréed beef tongue into orbit.
The sushi episode joins this growing list of inventive ways astronauts keep life aboard feeling, well, livable.
Team Chemistry Beyond Science
The camaraderie on the ISS serves as a silent but vital part of mission success. Moments like this — small, unscripted, and personal — help build trust and emotional resilience.
In space, where isolation and long durations can chip away at morale, humor and spontaneity help.
The astronauts’ sushi session didn’t just fill empty stomachs. It filled a human need that goes far beyond hunger. Being thought of, being surprised, being reminded of life on Earth — these are the things a roll of sticky rice and seaweed can represent.
On-Board Innovation with Real-World Implications
NASA continues to explore ways to make food more varied, fresh, and satisfying on long-duration missions. The Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually journey to Mars, underscores that effort. Experts agree: feeding astronauts isn’t only about calories. Whether it’s growing hydroponic plants or developing novel packaging that preserves spices, everything counts.
The sushi moment is a snapshot of why that matters. As missions get longer and journeys stretch further from Earth, the emotional components of survival become harder to ignore. Food is part of that equation.
Who’s Living on the ISS Right Now?
The current Expedition 71 crew includes astronauts from NASA, ESA, JAXA, and Roscosmos. While the sushi moment gained attention thanks to Epps’ expression of longing for familiar comfort food, the entire team joined the fun.
The cooperation on display cuts across language, training background, and technical tasks. They’re scientists, engineers — and as this latest clip shows, pretty decent improv chefs too.
Of course, don’t expect a permanent sushi stand to pop up on the ISS menu. But maybe that’s not really the point.
Energy bars, freeze-dried meals, and rehydrated soups still make up the bulk of astronaut diets. But every now and then, there’s room for soy sauce and a tortilla — and a crew that understands why that matters.
What Happens Next in Space Cuisine?
NASA continues to explore sustainable food systems that could support astronauts on Moon or Mars missions. Some technologies under test:
- Hydroponic chambers for leafy greens
- Edible packaging to reduce waste
- Bacteria-based protein solutions
The sushi moment reminded the public — and perhaps even the agency — that taste and mood cannot be separated in extreme environments. This spontaneous act might inspire new menu innovations or crew-bonding strategies on deep-space journeys.
As for what’s next from Jeanette Epps and her inventive crew — let’s just say, dessert-themed tacos probably aren’t out of the question.
