SUSHI 101- Your guide to a pleasant dining
Also in this page: Health Benefits of Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Myths
A Sushi Guide for Sushi Virgins
BY DAVID BYUN
So your friend failed to convince you that sushi was the most delicious thing in the world. But at the same time, you don't want to be out of the loop and would like to broaden your cosmopolitan sense of enlightenment (if that makes any sense). Here are some tips for you, sushi virgins, on how to approach this ambrosia from the Orient.
Somehow you were tricked, bribed, or coerced into going to Sushi 21 and ended up sitting at a table. You can start easing your nerves with a comfort appetizer such as Vegetable or Shrimp Tempura and wash down with a calming bowl of Miso Soup.
After this, I know you are tempted to go directly for the Teriyaki dishes, but today will be different. When it comes to sushi, let’s start off with the basics: California Roll. Almost everyone can enjoy crabmeat, cucumber, and avocado wrapped in nori and rice, but if you are vegetarian, the Avocado, Plants, or the Cucumber Roll seem to be the logical choices.
Side tip #1: You dunk a doughnut on coffee, but you dip the sushi on the soy sauce. Pour just a bit of soy sauce (1/4” deep at the most) into the dipping dish so that when you dab the sushi into it, you don’t overwhelm your palate with soy sauce, but experience the essential flavor of sushi.
So everything looks good so far, and you’re still in the game. Let’s try some cooked rolls, such as the Eel and the Salmon Skin Roll. A common reaction to this is: “Eel??? Eww!!!” Well, not quite when you hear this: Eel is a known aphrodisiac in Asian countries. True story, after one of my friends ate an eel cracker (yes, just a cracker), he was not able to sleep that night. If that’s not motivation enough, I don’t know what is. Salmon Skin Roll has a delicious, crispy texture that has a predictable taste for those who had salmon steak before.
Baked or fried rolls for you to try at this experimental stage are:
- Tempura Roll- Remember the appetizer? That’s the sushi form.
- Las Vegas Roll- Remember the California Roll? Deep fry it with the tempura batter and voila!
- Lobster Roll- Oh boy, my mouth is watering just from hearing that.
Side tip #2: Wasabi, the green spicy thing that can fool you for guacamole, is not meant to torture your palate or clear your sinuses. Although a pinch of Wasabi is traditionally placed in the Nigiri (traditional sushi with rice and a topping), we opt it out so that you have the choice. A small piece of Wasabi can be dissolved into the soy sauce for an additional dimension of taste.
At this point, you are so proud of yourself that you reached this new milestone that you want to celebrate. Let’s get some “biiru” (beer) and some sake. Sushi 21 offers a wide variety of domestic and imported beer and both hot and cold sake. We also feature flavored sake and raspberry wine if you want some sweetness.
Now, the sake buzz is giving you the courage to break new grounds. Training wheels are off. Although Sushi 21 still offers a wider variety of sushi for beginners, we are reaching for the sky here. Going for the raw fish, the classic Rainbow Roll offers a different variety of fishes in one roll so that you can kill several birds with one stone. It is a California Roll horizontally topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, white fish, and cooked shrimp. But the beauty of the Rainbow Roll is that the fishes are very mild in taste and texture, so when you try it for the first time, there is no overwhelming sensation, but a pleasant feathery touch to your palate. Once you overcome the Rainbow Roll, all gloves are off, and you will be ready to tackle everything Sushi 21 has to offer.
But remember. Sushi comes in two forms: the Roll, which is what we talked about so far, and the Nigiri, which is the piece of rice topped with fish. Now, at any point from now on, you are ready to try the Nigiri. Some of the Nigiri that has a very mild taste (and for some untrained palates, none at all) include the tuna, salmon, and the yellowtail.
Side tip #3: Yeah, I know that pickled ginger (gari) can taste like soap, but this acquired taste grows on you. Ginger is optional, but if you want to later show off to your other sushi virgin friends on how to properly eat sushi, stay with me. The whole point of eating sushi is to appreciate the different nuances of taste and texture of each type of fish, so the ginger has a functional role of cleansing your palate between pieces.
Okay, now you have grown into a mature Sushi Savvy connoisseur. Sushi 21 is now your new joint where cool people hang out. Because of your cosmopolitan accomplishment you feel the need to brag to your sushi virgin friends. Well, my friend, I am very proud of you. But remember, not all Japanese food is sushi. Sushi 21 offers a diverse array of dishes that will get your gustatory brain center excited. Now that you are addicted to Sushi 21, below are some reasons why you should keep the addiction.
The Health Benefits of Japanese Cuisine
As many concur that “you are what you eat”, it is not implausible to deduce that the Japanese diet has some influence over the fact that the average life expectancy in Japan is 82.02 years.
Fish, a lean source of low-calorie, high quality protein, is low in saturated fats and cholesterol, making it a healthy food choice. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to improved cholesterol levels, lowered blood pressure, and decreased risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
Nori, the thin sheets of seaweed that are wrapped around the rolls (maki), contain important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
a) Antioxidant phytonutrients reduce risks of diseases of aging.
b) Iodine is essential for proper thyroid hormone function.
c) Iron is a key element for blood formation or hematopoiesis.
d) Folic acid plays a vital role in production and maintenance of new cells.
e) Other important benefits include magnesium and calcium.
Sushi Myths for the Sushiphobes
Myth #1: All Japanese food is sushi.
Fact: Although sushi is commonly associated with Japanese food, it does not define the entire spectrum of this wonderful ethnic cuisine. At Sushi 21, you can experience a wide variety of dishes, both traditional and contemporary.
Myth #2: All sushi is raw fish.
Fact: Sushi encompasses a broad spectrum of ingredients and forms. Cooked, baked or fried varieties such as shrimp (ebi), eel (unagi), egg (tamago), salmon, white fish, and lobster further provide the diversity of unique taste and texture.
Myth #3: Sushi is not safe.
Fact: Fish, like any other meat, carry some inherent risks associated with food-borne illnesses or other contaminants. Properly freezing the fish kills the parasites, and according to the USDA and the Institute of Medicine, the health benefits of fish consumption far outweigh the risks.