Asahi Antibacterial Rubber Cutting Board

There are two major brands in the field of professional cutting boards: Hasagawa and Asahi. Both brands are highly regarded in the field, and trusted by the top sushi chefs. If you have watched the Jiro's Dream of Sushi documentary field, you would have noticed that the cutting boards they use are not wood but sythentic boards. By the look of it, it is from the professional line of Asahi. 

So what is so special about this type of yellowish coloured boards? They are made of high density antibacterial material that is easy to clean and stays hygienic. In NYC, because of the health concerns, all the sushi restaurants are banned from using wooden cutting boards and are only allowed to use boards made of the same material. Unlike wooden boards, which will dish easily over time, these boards will be flat for a long time. While it is dense, it is still made of rubber that will actually hold the edge of your knife longer.

Difference between Asahi and Hasegawa?

• The construction of Asahi board is a single soild piece of antibacterial rubber, hence longer life
• Household grade boards are quite thin and subject to slight wrap but will level by itself
• Flat surface is easiler to clean and keep clean, great for those who do not have access to a dishwasher.  

• Hasegawa is special of its wooden core structure which makes it a lot lighter hence easier to handle, partciualrly if the board is large. 
• The wooden structure also keeps the board flat, even after it goes into dishwasher.
• The rubber material used by hasegawa is slighter softer therefore more gentle on the knife edge
•  There is texture on the board surface, which provides a slight better contact feedback but also easier to trap dirt and food residuce