Does anyone else admit to hating sushi?

[ChrisFL]

I LOVE sushi, but I've also found a lot of BAD sushi places.

First, all sushi has to be made fresh to order for me to enjoy it. Getting it cold in a grocery store, etc. is usually not going to be good.

Second, there are MANY, MANY types of sushi, so just saying you tried one roll once and hated it doesn't mean you don't like sushi. It's like having a bad hamburger once and swearing off any meat products for the rest of your life.

Third, the Japanese people must be on to something because they have the longest life expectancy of anyone in the world.

 

[Trixieplus2]

Yes, I was and an awesome one at that.

I don't eat raw fish for the same reason that I don't eat raw meat. It's...it's raw. The funny thing is that the same people that eat raw fish are the ones that are so diligent about using cooking thermometers to be sure that meat has been cooked to it's proper temperature to kill all the possible bacteria. I'm not sure how that is reconciled in one's mind.

A fish eating other fish gets it's food pretty fresh...it's still kicking and screaming on the way down, but sushi is handled by people that might have been picking their nose just moments before. Cook it...I'll eat it...otherwise I am just not interested.

Nah I love sushi and I never temp anything I also love Steak tartare.

 

[Spoodleink]

Yes, I was and an awesome one at that.

I don't eat raw fish for the same reason that I don't eat raw meat. It's...it's raw. The funny thing is that the same people that eat raw fish are the ones that are so diligent about using cooking thermometers to be sure that meat has been cooked to it's proper temperature to kill all the possible bacteria. I'm not sure how that is reconciled in one's mind.

A fish eating other fish gets it's food pretty fresh...it's still kicking and screaming on the way down, but sushi is handled by people that might have been picking their nose just moments before. Cook it...I'll eat it...otherwise I am just not interested.

I can usually see the guy at the bar making my sushi. Sometimes I'm sitting right in front of him at the bar. However I ususally don't see the guy back in the kitchen cooking my steak. You would be way more likely to get boogers on your cooked food than sushi.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I'm surprised at how many people say sushi is "in" or "trendy" right now, as if it's a fad. (and especially surprised that Buffalo apparently has only had sushi for a few years!) I've been eating sushi in various states since the mid 80's. I just think of it as Japanese food and eat it regularly the way I eat Mexican or Italian food. (well, maybe not as regularly. Those I make at home. I haven't tried making my own sushi yet).

I would say that pizza and burgers are a lot more "in". Lots more of those restaurants around!

As to the OP, I also think that sushi is too broad a term. Like most people, there are some types of sushi I like, and others that I don't like. I like the vegetarian and most of the cooked stuff. I like some of the raw stuff, but some not. I have never seen sushi with cream cheese on top (that doesn't sound like it would go together to me) and I haven't tried the quail egg. The thought of a raw egg bothers me much the same as the thought of raw fish bothers some of you, but I can't say whether I like it or not, since I haven't tried it.

 

[tasha99]

Yes, I was and an awesome one at that.

I don't eat raw fish for the same reason that I don't eat raw meat. It's...it's raw. The funny thing is that the same people that eat raw fish are the ones that are so diligent about using cooking thermometers to be sure that meat has been cooked to it's proper temperature to kill all the possible bacteria. I'm not sure how that is reconciled in one's mind.

A fish eating other fish gets it's food pretty fresh...it's still kicking and screaming on the way down, but sushi is handled by people that might have been picking their nose just moments before. Cook it...I'll eat it...otherwise I am just not interested.

Well, I like my steak medium rare and have been known to eat steak tartare, so that doesn't describe me.

As for fresh fish, if you insist on it kicking and screaming it's way down, I recommend going to a high end sushi restaurant and ordering the odori ebi (dancing shrimp). With the sushi, they shell it and cut off the head, and serve it up so fast that the tail is still moving.

 

[Freyja]

Well, I like my steak medium rare and have been known to eat steak tartare, so that doesn't describe me.

As for fresh fish, if you insist on it kicking and screaming it's way down, I recommend going to a high end sushi restaurant and ordering the odori ebi (dancing shrimp)

 

[shortbun]

I am amused at all the people on this thread who don't even know what sushi actually is but 'hate' it. lol!!! All the raw fish comments are so revealing of lack of knowledge; I can understand the I don't eat any fish/seafood statements as explanation much better but even those disavow the existence of fish free sushi. It's like saying "I don't like brussel sprouts therefore I don't like any vegetables." I suppose I need to leave this thread because it's like politics to me when people make comments without information to back them up. If you 'haters' could just really look into what sushi really is before you make these blanket statements...oh well, sigh, more for me.

 

[ford family]

I am amused at all the people on this thread who don't even know what sushi actually is but 'hate' it. lol!!! All the raw fish comments are so revealing of lack of knowledge; I can understand the I don't eat any fish/seafood statements as explanation much better but even those disavow the existence of fish free sushi. It's like saying "I don't like brussel sprouts therefore I don't like any vegetables." I suppose I need to leave this thread because it's like politics to me when people make comments without information to back them up. If you 'haters' could just really look into what sushi really is before you make these blanket statements...oh well, sigh, more for me.

MTE
There does seem to be a fair amount of inverted snobbery displayed on this thread.

ford family

 

[bicker]

There does seem to be a fair amount of inverted snobbery displayed on this thread.

I'm not sure that that's really especially notable, though. Just peruse the front page of the CB, the resorts boards and the restaurant boards, and you see a lot of topics that often (though not always) evoke inverted snobbery: Facebook, Chefs de France, 3D, American Idol, BLT, movie reviews, etc. - while these specific threads might not have any inverted snobbery in them, there were surely threads on those subjects, here on the DIS, in the past, that did.

 

[robinb]

I really tried to like it. It seems like everyone raves about it, but we went to a Japanese resturant tonight and....yech! Is there a stronger word? I can't believe anyone can tolerate it, let alone like it. Yet, it seems everyone I know loves it. Really? Do you really like it or just say you do because it's the "in" thing to like sushi. Can anyone else admit to disliking sushi?

I loved sushi way back in the early 80's before it was the "in" thing. I did not like the spicy green wasabi paste so I asked for mine with no wasabi for years. I have since developed a taste for the stuff and I mix it with my soy sauce.

I can understand why someone might not want to eat raw fish. Kudos to you for trying it! Even if it might have just been a cooked California roll .

FWIW, my DD loves vegetarian sushi. She could eat her weight in tamago and cucumber rolls.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

I absolutely HATE suchi. I accidently had to go out with some family friends to have some truly raw, real fish and have never been able to have anymore since. You couldnt pay me to eat some again.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I guess in some places sushi may be the "in" thing, but I remember getting addicted on a school trip to Washington D.C. about 18 years ago!

Since then Japanese food is a weekly thing for me, whether it be a full platter of Sushi/Sashimi, or a simple Bento Box for lunch.

Put me in the group, of people who hardly see it as a trendy thing...it's more of a way of life.

 

[Adipoo]

I have trouble eating sashimi or raw nigiri sushi because of the texture, although there are some I can deal with. Maki sushi, could live on it even if raw ingredients are included.

 

[goofyernmost]

I am amused at all the people on this thread who don't even know what sushi actually is but 'hate' it. lol!!! All the raw fish comments are so revealing of lack of knowledge; I can understand the I don't eat any fish/seafood statements as explanation much better but even those disavow the existence of fish free sushi. It's like saying "I don't like brussel sprouts therefore I don't like any vegetables." I suppose I need to leave this thread because it's like politics to me when people make comments without information to back them up. If you 'haters' could just really look into what sushi really is before you make these blanket statements...oh well, sigh, more for me.

OK, now you are forcing me to reveal the real reason, besides the raw fish thing, I looks like garbage to me. It looks like someone rolled it along the floor, picking up random bits and pieces of stuff and then wrapping it up in some type of black leafy fungus. Fine, if that's what you like eat it. I would never try to stop you, but this thread was entitled "admit you hate sushi.

I heard mention a couple of times, "well, it took me a couple of tries, but then I liked it". I have tried different things that I was told that I would acquire a taste for...scotch comes to mind, along with coffee and other things. My question is why? Why would I want to force myself to like something that I don't like naturally.

I don't think anyone put those that like it down or called them fools, most of what I read was why they didn't like it. Talk about elitism. "They are just closed minded, uncultured fools because they don't like it." Eat dog doo-doo if you want too just remember if someone asks me if I will, be prepared to hear a resounding NO.

 

[tasha99]

Garbage?! I have always thought good sushi looked like art. In fact, I usually sit and appreciate the presentation for a minute or two before eating it. That is one gripe I have about a lot of sushi places. The difference between good and great sushi is the presentation, and it seems like many places don't bother with making it beautiful. I really, really appreciate it when the sushi chef has the garnish vegetables carved into butterflies, or the ginger arranged into a rose shape. I also care about what kind of plate it's on (color matters--a bunch of white pieces on a white plate looks gross to me). Picking an appropriately shaped, colored, and sized plate is something one of my local restaurants never gets right, even though the sushi tastes pretty good.

Okay . . . I guess I'll admit to some snobbery here. I'm a sushi snob and imo most sushi in middle America doesn't cut it for me compared to the amazing experience you find in better restaurants in Japan and larger U.S. cities.

Edit: (omg, I'm realizing how annoying I must be on this subject. BF is a wine snob, and I have to roll my eyes at him all the time, because he scrunches up his face and starts running for his wine rack if I bring something cheap over. Guess I'm the same with sushi.)

 

[ChrisFL]

OK, now you are forcing me to reveal the real reason, besides the raw fish thing, I looks like garbage to me. It looks like someone rolled it along the floor, picking up random bits and pieces of stuff and then wrapping it up in some type of black leafy fungus. Fine, if that's what you like eat it. I would never try to stop you, but this thread was entitled "admit you hate sushi.

I heard mention a couple of times, "well, it took me a couple of tries, but then I liked it". I have tried different things that I was told that I would acquire a taste for...scotch comes to mind, along with coffee and other things. My question is why? Why would I want to force myself to like something that I don't like naturally.

I don't think anyone put those that like it down or called them fools, most of what I read was why they didn't like it. Talk about elitism. "They are just closed minded, uncultured fools because they don't like it." Eat dog doo-doo if you want too just remember if someone asks me if I will, be prepared to hear a resounding NO.

wow, that's harsh.

 

[arminnie]

People keep stating how they hate raw fish. Sushi does not equal raw fish. It might have raw fish, but it is not a requirement.

I go eat sushi with my sister who is a strict vegetarian. She does all the ordering and we have a vast array of food which contains no seafood raw or cooked.

Now you still might not like any sushi period - but quit equating it with raw fish.

 

[bicker]

People keep stating how they hate raw fish. Sushi does not equal raw fish. It might have raw fish, but it is not a requirement.

Indeed, sushi is actually all about the rice. The seafood (raw or cooked), while typical, isn't a necessary aspect of sushi.

The rice, incidentally, is not plain. It is seasoned with a wonderful sweet vinegar.

Raw fish is called sashimi.

 

[NMAmy]

I am amused at all the people on this thread who don't even know what sushi actually is but 'hate' it. lol!!! All the raw fish comments are so revealing of lack of knowledge; I can understand the I don't eat any fish/seafood statements as explanation much better but even those disavow the existence of fish free sushi. It's like saying "I don't like brussel sprouts therefore I don't like any vegetables." I suppose I need to leave this thread because it's like politics to me when people make comments without information to back them up. If you 'haters' could just really look into what sushi really is before you make these blanket statements...oh well, sigh, more for me.

I understand what you're saying and, yes, I've tried several kinds of sushi in different places around the country and I'm not a fan. What I find amusing is the fact that sushi lovers REALLY seem to feel the need to convert those that don't care for sushi. (My sister keeps trying to convert me so I've seen it in person, as well.)

I love Mexican food, Indian food, German food, and Middle Eastern food. I actually enjoy other Japanese foods besides sushi. I don't argue with those that don't care for those kinds of foods and try to convince them to keep trying it until they like it. There's no need to try to justify a love of sushi or to try to make those that don't care for it into some kind of uncultured rubes. Not everyone likes the same kinds of foods.

 

[shortbun]

I understand what you're saying and, yes, I've tried several kinds of sushi in different places around the country and I'm not a fan. What I find amusing is the fact that sushi lovers REALLY seem to feel the need to convert those that don't care for sushi. (My sister keeps trying to convert me so I've seen it in person, as well.)

I love Mexican food, Indian food, German food, and Middle Eastern food. I actually enjoy other Japanese foods besides sushi. I don't argue with those that don't care for those kinds of foods and try to convince them to keep trying it until they like it. There's no need to try to justify a love of sushi or to try to make those that don't care for it into some kind of uncultured rubes. Not everyone likes the same kinds of foods.

What kind of Japanese food do you like? Did I say "uncultured rubes?" I think I was talking about making decisions with a lack of information/knowledge and insisting one was correct without having all the data to make an informed decision. If that equals "uncutured rube" to you...so be it. I'm just amused to see people use lack of information to back up their fear-raw fish does not all sushi make and SO MANY people here just keep going on and on about raw fish. I rarely eat sushi with raw fish; I'm not a fan either but I LOVE sushi. A little education would help lots of these folks a lot-not saying they are uneducated-saying they have not been schooled about sushi and yet have opinions...kind of like complaining about politics when you don't vote.

P.S. your sister probably loves you and thinks it's too bad you are missing such a delicious dish. Try some sushi with tempura next time or maybe a veggie sushi. Also, many sushis do not use the black wrap. Sushi is an art form. I've eaten sushi shaped like caterpillers and snakes, sushi that was incredibly colorful and some excellent savory sushi. I love all the sauces, wasabi and the raw ginger is simply a perfect reason to eat sushi all in itself.