Sushi

[DznyDreams]

DD(8) keeps hounding me to try sushi. She is fascinated by the Japanese culture, so I thought while we're in Epcot, I'd oblige.....that's what it's all about anyway.

Now, I've never even been to a Benihana, let alone a sushi bar. (Heck! Do REAL Texans even know what Sushi is?!?! ) Where in Epcot can I find a Sushi fix at a moment's notice?

While I'm waiting for her to sample some raw fish, I might try some Sake. Can someone describe Sake? I don't drink often, but is it worth a try for someone who would normally choose, say, a JACK & COKE over a glass of CABERNET SAUVIGNON?

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

Yakitori (sp?) House has a nice sushi plate for only a few dollars. If you are in a hurry this would be a good place, just take it with you, so there is no big commitment time, money wise. They give you quite a few pieces too. This is more a california roll, not raw (sashimi). I enjoyed them while my family turned up their noses!

Also you can ask for kiddy chopsticks (connected) for easier handling. I think this is a great place for your sushi beginner. No raw fish!!

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

In Japan, the Tempura Room serves sushi that they make right in front of you. It's delicious and fun to watch!

 

[crisi]

Matsunoma Lounge in Epcot. Sake is kind of a sweet warm drink (its usually served warm). I like plum wine - which is very sweet. But the bar has a full line - so if you want jack and coke, it can be done.

Maki - rolls - rice and fish (usually) wrapped in seaweed. I'm not a big seaweed fan, so I don't tend to eat Maki.

Sashimi - raw fish - no rice.

Sushi - fish over rice. Beginners should try tuna and salmon. Also the egg custard is exactly what it sounds like - egg custard over rice - sort of sweet. Let the sushi chef know this is your first sushi experience and they will do fine.

You will be presented with several pieces of sushi, a bowl and soy sauce, wasabi - which is a strong green horseradish paste (more than a little tiny bit will clear your sinuses) and pickeled ginger. Generally speaking, you pour some soy into the bowl, add some wasabi (just a little to start with), dip, and clear your palate with a little ginger between pieces. You can also smear your fish with wasabi.

 

[wasabi girl]

Just for the record...sushi means vinegered rice. There is lots of "sushi" that has nothing raw anywhere near it (other than cucmbers or avocados). The California roll was invented in LA in the 60s, has crab (cooked), avocado & cucumber (ususally) and is a good beginner sushi....Sake and plum wine are nice ideas to go with sushi as are the Japanese beers! Good Luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I was just going to post the same thing that Wasabi Girl posted. We're vegetarian and still eat sushi, never touching raw fish. We've never had it at WDW, but sometimes go to a local sushi buffet and there are a lot of varieties that we have to chose from. It's one of those things that you either like or don't like. My 14yo son is obsessed with sushi (no asian blood in him, by the way ) and has a sushi making kit. For a while he was making it all the time. I don't like the smell though (of the seaweed) , though, and would prefer to go out to eat it.

T&B

 

[katienyc]

We're big sushi eaters (1-2 times a week at least!). I think that everyone should try it at least once! An easy way to start yourself off is a California roll. That is pretty basic. Also, sushi pieces that are good starters are salmon and red tuna.

As far as drinks go, sushi connoisseurs would tell you that you should only drink sake, green tea, or white wine with sushi. I'm not a sake fan, and always order a glass of white wine which complements the sushi very well. If you're more of a Jack & Coke type person, you could always get a Japanese beer. Ichiban is a very good beer (DH always gets).

Enjoy the experience!!

katie

 

[PamNC]

Sushi is wonderful - the texture and quality of the meat is second to none! It's an art form that you must try. We like Kimonos at the Dolphin.

I don't like sake - yuk!!! This may be tacky but I drink beer with my sushi.

PamNC

 

[wasabi girl]

Beer with sushi is not tacky...the Japanese guys that come to our restaurant do it....if they can we can!!! They never drink sake with sushi, since sake and sushi are both based on rice they seem to feel it doesn't go together, or it is redundant or something...they drink the BIG 22 oz Asahi (beer) with theirs.

 

[Poohbear123]

I have been eating this for the past.......18 years!!! I usually like the cream cheese/advocado/salmon roll which here its called a J&B roll or bagel roll. I also have what is known as Sashimi, which are slices of raw fish, either Tuna, Salmon or Dolphin. Dip it in some wasabi and Soy sauce and you are Good to go! Matso No Ma lounge is the BEST in WDW as far as I am concerned! I drink Kirin beer with my Sushi!

 

[brerrabbit]

Hey, I'm from Texas and I know about sushi!

But really it's great. My wife did not even like seafood when we got married and now she loves it all even sushi.

My DS who is 19 loves the stuff and last time we were at the world he and I went to DTD and sat at the sushi bar at Wolfgang Pucks. It was wonderful. We sat right next to the Sushi Chef and got to talk to him as he prepared the items we ordered.

 

[DisMN]

Big fan of the California Roll here.......that's what I'd recommend too for an 8 year old with a taste for adventure.
Good for her for wanting to try something different! That's cool!!!

p.s. tell her it took me several bites before I could decide whether I liked it or not. don't give up after the first bite! LOL

 

[DznyDreams]

Thanks, EVERYONE! At least I now feel that I'll know a bit more about what I'm doing. I did not know there were so many choices when it comes to sushi. The fact that not all of it has anything to do with raw fish is great news to me!

brerrabbit - I promise that I was only joking about Texans not knowing much about sushi! I'm sure there are many Texans, like yourself, who are in-the-know when it comes to such things, but I certainly know NOTHING about it. Grew up "the sticks" - still live in "the sticks." I'd say there's no sushi anywhere within an 80-mile radius of my home-- HECK, I'd bet the farm on it.

crisi & wasabi girl - There's just something nice about the sound of plum wine. I've never been much of a beer or wine person (I don't HATE either of them. . .I just don't drink often - period), but I just may have to give plum wine a try instead of the sake. Thanks!

 

[brerrabbit]

Don't worry DznyDreams,

I was just kidding. My Grandparents lived on a farm their whole lives just north of Bryan, Texas and their theroy on food was if they did'nt grow it, catch it or kill it they did'nt eat it. That theroy spilled over to my mother and it was'nt until I got out of college that I started trying "other" foods.

 

[AllisonG]

Diane,
All the replies you have gotten are great. But there is one thing you should try. Make sure to pick up some Mayonaise packets at the American pavillion. Bring them with you to Japan. When served your sushi, take the lump of green paste-wasbbi and mix it together with the mayo (couple fo packets or so) and dip the sushi roll into the mixture before eating. It will help your sushi experience 100%. I eat so much more sushi since learning that manuver. Most people just dip the roll into soy sauce, YUK! But the above mentioned mixture will really help you out.
Good luck and I hope your daughter has a positive sushi experience!

 

[katienyc]

The mayo mixture is an interesting idea, but honestly, try some without. It is an aquired taste, however you could lose a lot of it by putting a sauce on it. Try it and see if you like it, if not, use the mayo or soy. Usually the sushi chef will make a roll or piece with sauce or wasabi if the chef feels it needs it. If it is served without - that means the it should be eaten as is, or with a tad of soy sauce. In my opion, using mayo would ruin the sushi, and what is the point of trying it then?

 

[ILUVDXL]

We just tried sushi for the first time a few weeks ago and fell in love with it. I've wanted ti try it for a long time but didn't think DH would go for it, I'm glad we did. I was surprised to find out how many places in WDW serve sushi. Looks like we'll be having lots of food fun next month.

 

[MauraAndIainsDad]

I'm a huge sushi lover and just tried Kimonos for the first time on Monday night. It was really good but a bit pricey. The Hawaiian roll was very good.

I'm not a big fan of warm sake and for many years thought that this was the only way to serve it. However, recently I had discovered some high-end sushi restaurants serve high-quality sake chilled like wines and Kimonos has a limited selection of these. I had a glass of 'Silver' (I think) and it was very good. If you don't like warm sake, try this sometime - especially if you are a wine drinker.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think the thing that my 14yo loves most about sushi is sticking the whole thing in his mouth without having to take bites!

Let me tell you, growing up where I did in southern Oregon I didn't know about many different types of food. We had good Mexican food, so-so Chinese food, at one point a French restaurant (what they were doing there I don't know) and that's about it. Now they have a Thai restaurant which is pretty good. I'd sure never heard of sushi growing up. Now we eat mostly ethnic food--Chinese, Thai (my favorite), Mexican, Indian, Mexican, etc.

T&B

 

[WDW LOVR]

Our family would eat sushi 5 times a week if we could afford it.

We enjoy the Matsonoma Lounge every time we visit Epcot.

I like sake, but prefer the chilled variety and my wife likes the speciality drink "Mount Fuji" they serve.