Going to California Grill, never had sushi

[creativeamanda]

. . .and I want to try it. I love fish, so that is not a problem. But for a first timer, what should I order? I really can't eat things that are way too spicy because of acid reflux problems, but anything else is wide open.

So, what do ya'll reccommend?

Also, I don't even know how to eat sushi and I don't want to look stupid. What is the proper way?

 

[DW2010]

Loving fish and loving sushi can be completely two different things unless you normally eat your fish raw . Yes, there is cooked sushi but, from what I can tell, a lot of the sushi at CG is raw or has raw and cooked ingredients. A safe bet for your first time is probably the California Roll. Now I do like the California Roll, but don't think I'd ever get it at California Grill because it's too plain, IMO. I plan on trying the Spicy Kazan roll that has cooked and raw ingredients and the Shrimp Tempura roll. I normally eat cooked sushi but I have had raw and am open to the Spicy Kazan. I try my best to use chopsticks but sometimes I struggle and just use my fingers...lol.

 

[branv]

Few things to learn really quickly, very much simplified (so no one give me a hard time about the semantics ):

Sashimi: slices of raw seafood
Nigiri: slices of raw seafood, on a "ball" of rice, usually with wasabi in between
Maki: rolls

The green stuff is the "wasabi", very spicy condiment you can use or not use. The pink or white shaved stuff is ginger, and meant to be chewed on between dishes to cleanse the palate (I don't, personally, but DH eats it). If you get a side dish of what looks like wet grass/greens, it's usually a seaweed salad.

Very true...you can love fish and hate sushi. For some it's mental, for others it's texture, others just don't like the taste. I know I only like certain types of sushi while others I don't like. For instance, I love scallops, but do NOT like them raw in sushi. I hate eel/octopus, and definitely still don't like it in sushi Not a fan of cooked salmon, like it raw in sushi. So there you go, be willing to try anything, it might surprise you.

I agree that for the beginner, california roll is like training wheels. Unless you dislike crab, avocado or cucumber, it's easy peasy. That, and something like a shrimp tempura roll. The only reason I would never order the california roll at California Grill is the ridiculous price they charge for it...I know everything at Disney is humongo upcharge, but that's so far out of line I just can't take it. But considering your situation, for a first time, why not give it a try.

Another thing that might help you pick at CG, if you like rare (or raw) red meat, tuna is easier to transition to raw.

A few tips:

It feels weird to shove a whole roll into your mouth, but (except for those GIGANTIC palm sized ones ) really, it's what you do. Otherwise you tend to end up with it falling apart if you try to bite it in half. Don't worry, the chipmunk cheeks are okay and everyone else has them too.

If you ever have Nigiri anywhere, and wish to dip it into soy sauce, dip it fish side down. Otherwise you lose rice.

It's okay to eat nigiri and roll sushi with your hands (from your own plate, not a shared one). Which is good news for people who struggle with chopsticks. But I know sauces can complicate things, so proceed however you wish

 

[Gigi22]

If you not like spicy foods, go really easy on the wasabi! I was trying to explain what it is to DH, who loves horseradish, and I made the mistake of calling it, "Green Japanese horseradish." He slathered it on a piece of California Roll, and I could almost see the steam coming out of his ears from the heat

 

[DW2010]

Yes, the wasabi is NOT guacomole as one of Dh's college friends discovered years ago....lol. He thought it was and put a heaping amount in his mouth Poor thing. You'll probably want to steer clear of it if you can't have spicy foods. The good thing about wasabi is the heat is a different kind of heat. It doesn't linger around for long. I've had a little too much wasabi before and it burns for a second or so and fades away pretty quickly.

 

[jdisnut]

Growing up with a professional sushi chef and restaurateur for a cousin, I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine and highly recommend California Grill for beginners. Whereas Kimonos definitely caters toward sophisticated sushi eaters, Calfornia Grill generally avoid exotic ingredients and crafts its menu with newbies in mind.

For rookies, I recommend sticking with maki at first. Rolls hide the ingredients and ease the initial shock of eating raw fish. With nigiri and sashimi, the little bugger stares back at you off the plate, which unnerves even adventurous eaters. My girlfriend, for example, loves maki but struggles from a mental block with other forms of sushi. I scarf down just about anything that includes thinly sliced raw fish.

A poster above called the California roll "boring," and I generally agree, but it could serve as a safe introduction to the genre. I think California Grill offers a tempura roll, too, which at least includes something familiar.

Hope this helps!

 

[branv]

With nigiri and sashimi, the little bugger stares back at you off the plate, which unnerves even adventurous eaters.

This just make me laugh my rear off. What a visual!

 

[beccab]

Here's a you tube piece on "how to eat sushi". It helps to actually see how it is done in detail.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-o-2U1WXTk&feature=related

 

[creativeamanda]

Thanks, ya'll for the primer. I really would rather try it a Cali Grill. Mostly because I can say, I've done that, then again I really think I would like it. I like tuna (the rarer the better) and things like smoked salmon. I don't think texture will be a problem. The more I look at the rolls (maki, right?), the more I think I will prefer them to outright raw fish being on the plate. I'm trying to decide between the California roll (which may be unfortunate, because I'm not an avocado lover (but I don't hate it, either), and the Tempura roll. The spicy kazan actually appeals to me most, and I wonder if I should just take a double dose of Prevacid before I go. . .

Thanks, again. And I think I'll just go for the rolls with my fingers, as my clumsiness would win over with chopsticks.

 

[branv]

Thanks, ya'll for the primer. I really would rather try it a Cali Grill. Mostly because I can say, I've done that, then again I really think I would like it. I like tuna (the rarer the better) and things like smoked salmon. I don't think texture will be a problem. The more I look at the rolls (maki, right?), the more I think I will prefer them to outright raw fish being on the plate. I'm trying to decide between the California roll (which may be unfortunate, because I'm not an avocado lover (but I don't hate it, either), and the Tempura roll. The spicy kazan actually appeals to me most, and I wonder if I should just take a double dose of Prevacid before I go. . .

Thanks, again. And I think I'll just go for the rolls with my fingers, as my clumsiness would win over with chopsticks.

Personally, I didn't like avocados until about 5 years ago. Now I wonder what I was thinking My point is that I liked Cali Rolls before I came around to avocados. It's because, for me anyway, the avocado taste doesn't stand out, it just adds a creaminess to the roll. I'll think you'll really like it. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. I haven't tried it yet, but I think the malibu roll might be a lovely option for you. It sounds yummy (ooh, all this talk of sushi is making my stomach rumble, and I just had it on Friday Also, if you're worried about any spiceness from the Spicy Kazan sauce, perhaps you could ask the chef to put it to the side for you to experiment with. Hopefully they'd be happy to do so.

 

[etail]

Great! Also tell your server as they have no doubt experinced newbies to sushi as well. I tend to stick with tuna rolls (since tuna is often serverd rare anyway) and initially covered up some of my fear with wasabi and soy sauce. But try a roll of whatever as an appetizer before committing for the full meal.

 

[drmommy]

Might I also recommend you try it on soy paper (rather tasteless) instead of the seaweed paper (rather funky taste, IMO)? I consider myself a fairly adventurous eater, but for the longest time there was just something about sushi that wasn't sitting well. I couldn't pinpoint it. I got the soy paper suggestion from a family member who worked in a sushi restaurant, and ... Finally! I'm a fan!

 

[dansyr2514]

Just a comment....this was the first place a boyfriend of mine tried sushi and he was hooked after that. The sushi is very good there. I would definitely recommend to try it.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

The Spicy Kazan Roll is to die for

Take the extra Prevacid & maybe ask for the sauce on the side or for them to go light on the sauce.

While the California Roll might be boring by some standards, they use the most beautiful jumbo lump crabmeat & plenty of it.

 

[cdtommie]

The Kazan is great and it's not really very spicy. Would be an excellent first choice.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

"Snake in the Grass" - Barbecue Eel with Shrimp Tempura, Avocado and Cucumber $26

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Tempura "Malibu" Roll - grouper, snapper, cobia, hamachi, tuna tartare, and spicy sesame sauce $21 (My favorite)

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Yoshie's Deluxe Sushi Platter - maki and nigiri $28

Perhaps a Great way to try many different types... wasn't my very favorite...but I enjoyed this one.....

OF COURSE I read about the Spicy Kazan roll on the DIS After returning with these pics... so gosh darn... now I gotta go back to try that one !

 

[grafxgirl]

When I first started eating sushi, I started with the rolls made with veggies, and seafood, then branched out from there. Now I'll eat all of it! I like my sushi with soy and wasabi, then follow it up with a little ginger.

Here's a good website to explain how to eat sushi. It also talks a little about the different kinds.

http://eugeneciurana.com/musings/sushi-eating-HOWTO.html

 

[grafxgirl]

"Snake in the Grass" - Barbecue Eel with Shrimp Tempura, Avocado and Cucumber $26

We call these dragon rolls.