Sushi 101

[DMickey28]

I started eating Sushi just before I found out I was pregnant a few years ago!!

Sometimes I will get the sushi at publix if I have a craving. I usually get it while the guy is making it so I feel comfortable. I'll have to try Whole Foods, I bet that's pretty good.

The BEST sushi I have ever had was a China Grill in South Beach. One of DH's co-workers loves sushi and he ordered us a bunch of different things. Seriously, the best I have ever had.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One of DH's co-workers loves sushi and he ordered us a bunch of different things.

This would be great - someone who knows what they're doing for guidance!

There's a little supermarket that I sometimes run into quickly after work that I see the guy making sushi but I'm always a little nervous about that having worked in supermarkets before myself. I'm sure I'd feel better about it in a nicer/cleaner store. In fact, I never paid much attention to it but there's one near me where I do my regular shopping that maybe I'll check out next time I'm there.

 

[Master Mason]

Pea,

Keep your eye out for a resturant called Todai, they are supposed to be opening in Boston according to their website, current closest one is in Manhatten.

It is an all you can eat place, they have lots of different sushi's as well as a hot food section as well, and a great dessert bar.

Lunch is cheaper, but they have a much bigger selection of sushi during dinner, which is why it is more expensive. Great place to try and explore some new things.

 

[kelleigh1]

Glad to hear you tried it. So many people aren't even willing to try and mainly it's because they just have this idea that it's all raw fish. It's not.

I had a friend who wanted to try it once and I suggested she start with a california roll as there is no raw fish in it. She loved it and now she eats just about everything.

There are many different types of sushi and it's all about the way it is rolled. I don't know the particulars, but I know someone here does.

Oh, and yes, I am particular about where I get it. I want mine super fresh. I like to be able to see it made in front of me. That way I can see what they're doing to it. I don't want anything out of a refrigerated case, so I don't buy it at the grocery store. And without a doubt, the place needs to be clean!


Just realized you're practically a neighbor after reading Master Mason's post. (I need to keep an eye out for that place he mentioned.) Not sure exactly where you are, but I can tell you a few places I go to in Boston and a couple down in the Attleboro area.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks, Gregg. I'd probably have to be dragged kicking and screaming from the North End but you never know. I'll keep an eye open for it.

Kelleigh, I'm on the South Shore and we've had quite a few new places open up around here over the past year or so.

I'm still amazed I never realized not all sushi was raw fish.

 

[paintnolish]

Ooh! I am going to a mall with a Todai this weekend! I'll have to try it out. thanks, MAster Mason!

 

[minniecarousel]

I can't seem to get past the seaweed taste! Is there a trick to eating it without tasting the seaweed? Is there such a thing as sushi without seaweed?

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I got brave a couple of years ago and tried sushi. The first couple times I had it, I was not a fan. Then I realized that it was the cucumber in the rolls. I liked the ones I tried without cucumber, so now I order it that way. Or just pick the cucumber out if I'm sharing with DH. He started eating sushi about a year ago, and now will request that we meet for lunch to get sushi.

When DH first tried sushi, DD8 tried it also. It was the most un-Japanese roll on the menu, called a surf and turf. It's tempura shrimp, teriyaki beef and cream cheese. She loved it! We have a new seafood restaurant in town that also makes sushi, but more traditional stuff. A month or so ago, I ordered sushi for dinner while everyone else had stuff off the regular menu. DD8 has been begging to go back so she could try sushi again. We took her Wednesday night, and ordered her a tempura shrimp with cream cheese roll. She now wants to try different kinds including tuna. I have a new sushi buddy! Her 3rd grade class has been studying China for their social studies unit and last week they practiced with chopsticks and popcorn in class. I've been trying to show her for a couple of years, but she finally got the hang of it. She ate her sushi with chopsticks like a pro.

I will absolutely NOT buy the pre-packaged sushi at the grocery store or Costco. It looks nasty and who knows how long ago it was prepared. We do have a gourmet grocery store that sells sushi, and I've been in there when the chef was preparing it. I will buy it fresh. I still won't buy it if it's been sitting there, I tried it once and found the rice got nasty hard in the refrigerator case.

 

[tasha99]

I can't seem to get past the seaweed taste! Is there a trick to eating it without tasting the seaweed? Is there such a thing as sushi without seaweed?

Lots of sushi doesn't have seaweed. You could try nigiri sushi (try ebi if you don't want anything raw). The seaweed is usually used in rolls.

For the cheapness factor, I often order chirashizushi. It's got the toppings put over a bowl of sushi rice, and it costs less because it's quicker to make.

 

[Mean Queen]

I love sushi! I recommend for beginners the California Roll (crab, avocado, cucumber), Mexican Roll (tempura shrimp, with orange roe/fish eggs wrapped around the rice), any other type of tempura roll because that means it was fried. Spicy tuna is a good raw fish for people who like spicy stuff to try.

For anyone going to WDW, I think it's the Swan that has a great sushi restaurant.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My2Cinderellas, I was surprised, but my two 10 year olds got adventurous somehow as well and tried it, too! They liked it.

Even more shocking was that my DH liked the one with raw tuna! He actually brought what was leftover to work with him today.

A friend that was with us tried it, too, reluctantly, and I don't think he enjoyed it but I was glad that he tried it. I know I'm driving him crazy as I'm always trying to get him to try new things. His kids would have no part of it, no way, no how (though one of them did try some Hot and Sour soup with us which was huge for him).

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lots of sushi doesn't have seaweed. You could try nigiri sushi (try ebi if you don't want anything raw). The seaweed is usually used in rolls.

For the cheapness factor, I often order chirashizushi. It's got the toppings put over a bowl of sushi rice, and it costs less because it's quicker to make.

Would you be able to tell us what's in what I bolded? Thanks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I love sushi! I recommend for beginners the California Roll (crab, avocado, cucumber), Mexican Roll (tempura shrimp, with orange roe/fish eggs wrapped around the rice), any other type of tempura roll because that means it was fried. Spicy tuna is a good raw fish for people who like spicy stuff to try.

For anyone going to WDW, I think it's the Swan that has a great sushi restaurant.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[sha_lyn]

DD has been eating cooked sushi ever since she started eating table food.
DS was probably 6 when he tried it the first time. There just weren't many places around here before then that had it

He loves it so much that he has been known to go eat sushi where he works on his nights off.

 

[Laura]

Would you be able to tell us what's in what I bolded? Thanks!

Nigirizushi and chirashizushi are different ways of using the sushi rice, not necessarily what's "in" sushi. "Ebi" is shrimp, so ebi nigiri is this:
http://japanesefood.about.com/library/pictures/blnigiri_ebi.htm

Nigiri most commonly has a slice of raw fish as a topping, but tamago (egg) and shrimp are common cooked toppings. Chirashi could have just about anything topping the bowl of sushi rice. The rolled sushi you often see is called, incidentally, maki.