Sushi?

TeachTheGirl

I hate to admit, but I've never had sushi before. I'm actually kind of intimidated by it.

What would people recommend for a sushi virgin? Things to avoid? (I have NO idea what the calorie counts are on this type of food, but I'm contemplating ordering some for dinner and hoping I have room to fit a fair selection in!)

HeatherDominik

IMO- a good starter is a Cali roll- not really "sushi" because it isn't raw fish. But it would get you used to the texture/style. Salmon is a strong flavor, so is yellowtail, as well as eel... So i wouldn't dive in with those lol. Spicy tuna is really good too.=) Good luck! Get addicted!

popsicklestar

Sushi is my favorite! I would start with rolls as opposed to sashimi. California rolls and shrimp tempura rolls aren't very scary because crab and shrimp are things you probably eat already. I would try rolls with tuna, salmon, and avocado. When I'm trying to eat fewer carbs, I go for sashimi and miso soup, but I would start with some rolls if you're not used to sushi.

1ocean1girl

I never use to like Sushi, I would try it every now and then and always hated it. That is until I found the roll I liked - soft shell crab roll!!! Delish Its cooked and when dipped in a bit of wasabi and light soy sauce the texture and flavors are amazing. I would stay away from anything raw until you get use to it and beware of those restaurant that add way too much cream cheese or other sauces.

tzig00

I know it's not fresh fish sushi, but I am absolutely in love with a spicy asparagus roll.

thrld

Sweet potato rolls, tempura rolls, smoked eel, shrimp, smoked salmon, crabstick -- all are cooked

Many find the salmon & tuna as easy starter sushi. Quality can make a difference in taste, so just like with steaks, restaurant quality is different from supermarket.

There are a lot of different types of sushi, just like there are plenty of types of sandwiches, so plenty of options to try!

RambyPandy

I tend to go for sashimi over sushi since it has no rice. The protein + carb mix on sushi wreaks havoc on my tummy. I try to limit my raw fish intake to about once a month or every 2 months. It's pretty high calorie (which I was surprised to learn), and I worry about toxins in the fish. Actually..... if I was nursing, I would avoid it for the reason of the toxins. But there's lots of great options at a typical Japanese restaurant aside from sushi/sashimi.

duckiec

If you're anywhere near a Wegmans, try their Skinny California Roll. 100 calories for the pack, and a great intro to sushi, especially if you don't love rice (like me).

efirkey

Try some variety and find out what you like. They certainly have dishes with different samples.

Laurelthequeen

I tried sushi a number of times and disliked it each time. I had just been trying a number of different "rolls." Finally, in a last-ditch effort, my husband had me try some nigiri, which is the slice of fish on a pillow of rice that you can then dip into your wasabi/soy mixture. I LOVE that, and determined that I just don't like the flavor/texture of the seaweed wrapper, so if you don't like eating it one way, try another type of preparation.

TimeForMe99

If you want to try a variety look for a Rainbow Roll. It's a California roll with sashimi and avocado wrapped around it. It's very colorful and fun and you can try several different flavors. You'll typically get salmon, tuna, snapper, and halibut or other white fish.

Sushi does have a lot of carbs as do the usual sides so plan ahead. As a "sometime food" you can do a lot worse.

Cr01502

Anything tempura with spicy mayo you'll like as a virgin. They're not the healthiest ones out there but they're worth every calorie.

This here is a Volcano Roll


This here is one with spicy mayo


And this one's just for more ideas!

TimeForMe99

Dang - now I want sushi. Those pictures look so good!

JonathanBB

Cr01502 - that was sooo mean. Those looked oh so good. Now I am dying for fancy sushi tonight even if it does put me way over my calorie count.

Beginner rolls: salmon avocado, tuna avocado, california, rainbow, shrimp tempura and spider roll are all good suggestions. Eel has a VERY strong taste and even afterdecades of eating sushi and trying it periodically I do not like it.

If you can find toro (fatty tuna) try it as nigiri (the piece of fish on a bed of rice) - it is not a "fishy" tasting sushi and melts like butter in your mouth. Yum.

Also a fat boy salad is delicious which is basically avacodo and tuna chunks in a bowl or on a plate with just a little soy sauce or sesame dressing dressing.

MizTerry

California roll for sure.
I love the stuff

JonathanBB

Be aware that the names of fancy rolls vary by restaurants (though I think california and spider rolls seem to be very consistent). The volcano roll at my local place is nothing like the volcano roll in the picture.

Amy_Andrews

As far as "healthy" sushi, I've read to steer clear of "tempura" which means fried, and anything spicy, because the spicy sauce is mayonaise based. They also say one roll with a cup of soup is a great balance.

SuzyLy

I prefer sashami, yellowtail, if available.

briggsy13

and be warned I swear they put something addicting in sushi. YUM Its expensive so I only get it a handful of times a year but man I love some sushi. You got good advice about the california roll. Also it might take a couple tries to see if you really like it. I had it as a teenager and didn't like it until like a year later.

AllonsYtotheTardis

I adore sushi.


I recommend starting with a California roll (as others have mentioned). There's nothing raw in it and it's relatively mild in flavor. I've managed to get several people hooked on sushi, just by having them try a California roll.

Oh the tasty things you can try!!

GURLEY_GIRL3

Anything tempura with spicy mayo you'll like as a virgin. They're not the healthiest ones out there but they're worth every calorie.

This here is a Volcano Roll


This here is one with spicy mayo


And this one's just for more ideas!

I WOULD KILL FOR A VOLCANO ROLL RIGHT NOW!!!!

BeachIron

In for the virgins

TeachTheGirl

Actually..... if I was nursing, I would avoid it for the reason of the toxins.

Thanks for reminding me of this! Raw is something I'd like to avoid if possible.

Brunner26_2

IMO- a good starter is a Cali roll- not really "sushi" because it isn't raw fish. But it would get you used to the texture/style. Salmon is a strong flavor, so is yellowtail, as well as eel... So i wouldn't dive in with those lol. Spicy tuna is really good too.=) Good luck! Get addicted!

"Sushi" actually refers to the way the rice is prepared. Sushi doesn't have to have raw fish in it.

Kreider86

IMO- a good starter is a Cali roll- not really "sushi" because it isn't raw fish. But it would get you used to the texture/style. Salmon is a strong flavor, so is yellowtail, as well as eel... So i wouldn't dive in with those lol. Spicy tuna is really good too.=) Good luck! Get addicted!

^good advice. I'm new to sushi and LOVE the california roll.. It's imitation crab meat with some veggies and I believe cream cheese. Dip it in a little wasabi and soy sauce!! mmmmmmmm

I've been too scared to go past this one type of sushi lol

salcha76

THANKS, now i have to go have sushi for dinner! It's lovely & so healthy for you! It averages out to aprox 50/cal a bite....try to use low sodium soy and careful on the wasabi...it sneaks up on you....take your time & read the descriptions...be brave! places normally offer sampler platters or check out groupon there is normally always one available for a sushi place.....

BeachIron

Actually..... if I was nursing, I would avoid it for the reason of the toxins.

Thanks for reminding me of this! Raw is something I'd like to avoid if possible.

The reason women are told not to eat raw food while pregnant or nursing has nothing to do with the food itself. It has to do with not being able to give you the medication to help severe food poisoning. Use good judgment with where you eat and you will be fine (the judgment thing is why most doctors simply say "no" to their patients). The outright paranoia about raw food in the U.S. is always good for a chuckle.

RambyPandy

Actually..... if I was nursing, I would avoid it for the reason of the toxins.

Thanks for reminding me of this! Raw is something I'd like to avoid if possible.

The reason women are told not to eat raw food while pregnant or nursing has nothing to do with the food itself. It has to do with not being able to give you the medication to help severe food poisoning. Use good judgment with where you eat and you will be fine (the judgment thing is why most doctors simply say "no" to their patients). The outright paranoia about raw food in the U.S. is always good for a chuckle.

Agreed. I didn't make that comment because of the raw factor, I was thinking more about passing along mercury and things like that to the baby.

toxikon

Definitely not the healthiest, but my favourite by far is the crispy/crunchy roll.

Deep-fried tempura flakes, shrimp, avocado and some spicy sauce. Heavenly!

dbmata

I hate to admit, but I've never had sushi before. I'm actually kind of intimidated by it.

What would people recommend for a sushi virgin? Things to avoid? (I have NO idea what the calorie counts are on this type of food, but I'm contemplating ordering some for dinner and hoping I have room to fit a fair selection in!)

So some things to keep in mind, not all sushi is raw. There are also three common types of sushi.
Nigiri
Maki,
and handrolls, whose name eludes me right now.

Nigiri is the traditional piece of fish on top of some vinegared rice. A good place to start is with the cooked fish. Shrimp, surf clam, octopus, egg, and eel are all cooked. A lot of places will have seared tuna. Texturally, maguro (tuna) would be the most logical item to try as the texture is firm.If you stick with the less oily fish, you will only have to deal with texture, and maybe not insane fishiness.

Maki, are the long rolls that can go from simple kappa maki to the more insane things like the godzilla roll. Try some of the simple maki, kappa maki (cucumber), and tekka maki (tuna) are great. They are simple and a good intro. Next, try some of the cooked and more creative ones. Grilled salmon skin, jalapeno, and cream cheese is a "philadelphia roll" in most places I've been and good. Spider roll is fried softshell crap. Tempura shrimp rolls. California rolls are good as well, all the ingredients are cooked, although the crab in it is usually Krab and not crab. Again, items with tuna in it are a good place to start, texture is good. Some of the more texturally "difficult" ones are the scallop filled items.

The hand rolls are great, it's like a maki, but made for a single person and shaped like an ice cream cone.

Go try, enjoy! Experience the ginger, the wasabi, the flavors of the fish with and without soy. It's delicious and can be super clean food.

Now, a point of clarification. Sushi means specifically that it uses vinegared rice. Sashimi means that it is raw fish, and raw fish only.

BeachIron

Actually..... if I was nursing, I would avoid it for the reason of the toxins.

Thanks for reminding me of this! Raw is something I'd like to avoid if possible.

The reason women are told not to eat raw food while pregnant or nursing has nothing to do with the food itself. It has to do with not being able to give you the medication to help severe food poisoning. Use good judgment with where you eat and you will be fine (the judgment thing is why most doctors simply say "no" to their patients). The outright paranoia about raw food in the U.S. is always good for a chuckle.

Agreed. I didn't make that comment because of the raw factor, I was thinking more about passing along mercury and things like that to the baby.

That's a valid point though there are plenty of choices that don't have a high mercury risk. Lean more towards salmon (which is popular in the U.S.) and less towards fish like tuna and mackerel.