Sushi And You
June 29th 2007 07:16
Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese themselves who usually enjoy sushi on a daily basis. Sushi can be defined as a dish containing rice, which has been prepared with sushi vinegar. There are many different types of sushi. Some popular ones are:
Nigiri
Small rice balls with fish, etc. on top. There are countless varieties of nigirizushi, some of the most common ones being tuna, shrimp, eel, squid, octopus and fried egg.
Gunkan
Small cups made of sushi rice and dried seaweed filled with seafood, etc. There are countless varieties of gunkanzushi, some of the most common ones being sea urchin and various kinds of fish eggs.
Norimaki
Sushi rice and seafood, etc. rolled in dried seaweed sheets. There are countless varieties of sushi rolls differing in ingredients and thickness. Sushi rolls prepared "inside out" are very popular outside of Japan, but rarely found in Japan.
Temaki
Temakizushi (literally: hand rolls) are cones made of nori seaweed and filled with sushi rice, seafood and vegetables.
Inari
Inarizushi is a simple and inexpensive type of sushi, in which sushi rice is filled into aburaage (deep fried tofu) bags.
Sushi has now become a popular menu of choice to be served at parties and gatherings. It is an ideal finger food which is easy to eat and satisfying enough. With the wide variety of Suhis available and its colourful presentation, Sushi provides an attractive spread on the buffet and serving tables.
Sushi party trays or platters are also easily available from your neighbourhood Japanese restaurant or Sushi outlet. If you're feeling creative, you can roll up your own Sushis or even organise a Sushi party, which involves your friends in the preparations.
How To Buy Fish For Sushi or Sashimi
Rule #1 - If it smells fishy, it will taste fishy! Now, some fish, especially shellfish, may have a slight fishy odor that is normal, but I'm talking about fillets and such... Salmon, Yellowtail, Halibut, Albacore, Scallops, Tuna, etc... should never smell fishy. Ask to smell the fish! If they give you a hard time, move on.
Rule #2 - The fish should have a sheen to it; it should not look dull or dried out.
Rule #3 - Buy from a reputable source and buy the correct type. When choosing a fillet, you should buy Sashimi Grade fish. I am fortunate enough to have a Whole Foods Market in the area and their quality is excellent.
Sushi Etiquette
For those who are Sushi bar/restaurant virgins, click here to watch a clip which covers the essentials of Sushi eating.
If you are totally incapable to utilising chopsticks and that is the only reason that you are holding back on giving Sushi a go, fret no more! Ever notice that the sushi sort of breaks apart when you dip it in that little bowl of soy sauce and then try to pick it back up with your chopsticks? That's because you are supposed to eat it with your fingers!
The method for eating sushi is more or less to hold the sushi piece like it's a computer mouse, slowly flip it over, and lightly drench one side in the nikiri sauce (soy, depending on where you are eating) provided.
I kid you not. Traditional sushi lovers do exactly that. So go ahead, enjoy that first bite of Sushi today!
Nigiri
Small rice balls with fish, etc. on top. There are countless varieties of nigirizushi, some of the most common ones being tuna, shrimp, eel, squid, octopus and fried egg.
Gunkan
Small cups made of sushi rice and dried seaweed filled with seafood, etc. There are countless varieties of gunkanzushi, some of the most common ones being sea urchin and various kinds of fish eggs.
Norimaki
Sushi rice and seafood, etc. rolled in dried seaweed sheets. There are countless varieties of sushi rolls differing in ingredients and thickness. Sushi rolls prepared "inside out" are very popular outside of Japan, but rarely found in Japan.
Temaki
Temakizushi (literally: hand rolls) are cones made of nori seaweed and filled with sushi rice, seafood and vegetables.
Inari
Inarizushi is a simple and inexpensive type of sushi, in which sushi rice is filled into aburaage (deep fried tofu) bags.
Sushi has now become a popular menu of choice to be served at parties and gatherings. It is an ideal finger food which is easy to eat and satisfying enough. With the wide variety of Suhis available and its colourful presentation, Sushi provides an attractive spread on the buffet and serving tables.
Sushi party trays or platters are also easily available from your neighbourhood Japanese restaurant or Sushi outlet. If you're feeling creative, you can roll up your own Sushis or even organise a Sushi party, which involves your friends in the preparations.
How To Buy Fish For Sushi or Sashimi
Rule #1 - If it smells fishy, it will taste fishy! Now, some fish, especially shellfish, may have a slight fishy odor that is normal, but I'm talking about fillets and such... Salmon, Yellowtail, Halibut, Albacore, Scallops, Tuna, etc... should never smell fishy. Ask to smell the fish! If they give you a hard time, move on.
Rule #2 - The fish should have a sheen to it; it should not look dull or dried out.
Rule #3 - Buy from a reputable source and buy the correct type. When choosing a fillet, you should buy Sashimi Grade fish. I am fortunate enough to have a Whole Foods Market in the area and their quality is excellent.
Sushi Etiquette
For those who are Sushi bar/restaurant virgins, click here to watch a clip which covers the essentials of Sushi eating.
If you are totally incapable to utilising chopsticks and that is the only reason that you are holding back on giving Sushi a go, fret no more! Ever notice that the sushi sort of breaks apart when you dip it in that little bowl of soy sauce and then try to pick it back up with your chopsticks? That's because you are supposed to eat it with your fingers!
The method for eating sushi is more or less to hold the sushi piece like it's a computer mouse, slowly flip it over, and lightly drench one side in the nikiri sauce (soy, depending on where you are eating) provided.
I kid you not. Traditional sushi lovers do exactly that. So go ahead, enjoy that first bite of Sushi today!
| 85 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by charles
FanFootball
ZCars
Ponderous
Nice to see you back posting again!
Oh, and remember to insert "Image Titles" for your pictures!
Charles.
Comment by Ruby
The Rubik's Cube
Yea, been kinda tied up with stuff here. But I'm baaaack...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm not a huge sushi fan but your pics and descriptions made it so appealing that I might dabble again soon.
Great post,
Tracy
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
This only reminds me I haven't had Japanese in ages! I miss Sushi and Sashimi and Beef Teriyaki and miso soup....
I've been eating Japanese for a while but I didn't know about the whole eating the sushi with your fingers bit. I'll try that out soon.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
The sushi chef at the restaurant my wife and I go to makes us a special sort of temaki (not on the menu), a spicy tuna handroll with tempura crunch and scallions. But instead of using nori, he makes a wrap out of very thinly sliced cucumber. It's possibly the best thing ever.
I know that technically I can use my fingers to eat nigiri, but I never do. The only time I use my fingers is for futomaki. Some day I want to try doing it the "proper" way, but I'm just so used to using the chopsticks.....
Great post!
Comment by Ruby
The Rubik's Cube
Comment by Ruby
The Rubik's Cube
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks,
Tracy
Comment by Ruby
The Rubik's Cube