A Guide to Good Sushi |
Sushi, you either love or your hate it. There doesn't seem to be an in between. Now I've been a seafood lover since I was very young, but the thought of consuming raw fish didn't really appeal to me even though I had a steady diet of it in childhood when I lived in Europe (herring, onions and sour cream). It hasn't been until recently that I started eating sushi, and I have to say I could eat it almost every day! Whether you're a connoisseur or just starting to find your way, here are some hints on how you can be sure you're getting good sushi. 1. All reputable sushi restaurants have a sushi bar where the fish is on display, and it shouldn't be just for show. Don't be shy, go up to the bar and have a look. The fish should be juicy in appearance, not dried out. Is the chef using the fish on display? If not, why not? Reputable sushi restaurants take pride in the quality and freshness of their fish and will actually use the fish on display. Avoid sushi restaurants that do not have a fish display. 2. All you can eat sushi restaurants, whereby you can order as much as you like for one price, tend to be mediocre at best. High quality seafood is expensive, and in the case of sushi, you get what you pay for. I used to eat at an all inclusive sushi restaurant and thought it was quite good until I ate at a more traditional, pay by the piece, establishment. The difference in the food was like night and day, not to mention the atmosphere and the service. 3. Sushi rice has a very delicate flavor and is usually made with short grained rice, water, rice vinegar, sugar and salt. If your restaurant's sushi rice is flavorless, find another restaurant. 4. Ordering sushi is not like ordering fast food, and you should be able to order a few pieces at a time. If your server insists that you order everything at once, something's amiss. Take the time to savor each piece individually, and use the small pieces of ginger to cleanse your palate in between pieces. 5. There should be a combination of traditional sushi and sashimi, and the more modern like California Rolls. If the menu is lacking in the traditional, and leans more towards the colorfully named rolls, chances are that the sushi chef is not traditionally trained, and you may not be getting the real thing. 6. For a genuine treat, simply ask the sushi chef to prepare something for you and leave it up to him to decide what's best. Sure, you may be taking a chance, but your willingness to experiment may very well turn into the sushi delight! I did this a few weeks ago at my favorite sushi restaurant that I've been attending for over a year. The chef knows me on sight, and was delighted and honored that I trusted him to prepare something unique. I was not disappointed.
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