Sushi 101 or for beginners (beer, tuna, shrimp, avocado)

[Johnny Bananas]

Hello, everone.

I love food! Any kind of food really. But I have yet in my 20 years of existence ate sushi!

Now, I have a lunch date tomorrow and it's a Chinese place with sushi. If it's any help it's at Fortune Wok... not sure if it's a local joint or national chain.

Anyway, I know I'm not allergic to it so that's good. How does it taste? Spicy? If so, I can handle it... What should I order as a starter so I can get an idea on how it tastes before I decide to get something that is really "up there". Basically any information on sushi is welcome... Sorry if I don't make any sense.

Thanks

Johnny B.

[Nomadicus]

Sorry I can't help. I'm over three times your age and only use it for fish bait.

[George Chong]

Oh Nomad

You should start will a California Roll (maki is a roll). It is all cooked. It will have crab or imitation crab meat, avocado and cucumber. It is rolled in sushi rice and toasted seaweed. The only thing that might be spicy is the green stuff which is Japanese horseradish or wasabi. You can take some wasabi and dissolve in your soy sauce too.

Sushi means with rice and sashimi means without rice.

A maki means it's a roll.

Nigri is usually a piece of fish on top of rice. There is usually two to an order.

There are plenty of beginner sushi for you to try. Just tell the sushi chef and he can guide you.

If you ever walk into a sushi bar and smell something "fishy", you need to walk out. Good quality sushi should be a "fresh" taste.

[sophialee]

start off w/ California rolls or other rolls that have cooked stuff in them, like tempura shrimp and stuff.

I like mine just dipped in soy, or if it's tuna w/ wasabi and soy or ponzu.

[George Chong]

The Sushi FAQ - Sushi for Beginners - Trying Sushi For The First Time

[cricket_factor]

I think you should try eel. It really tastes like chicken, only softer.

[Johnny Bananas]

After reading these responses and that link, this is going to be one helluva expensive date lol... Thanks.

[Gerania]

Tap dancing around the sushi menu...smoked salmon, so not really raw. Crab and shrimp are usually steamed. California roll, no raw fish in that. Tamago is cooked egg. There are also some vegetable sushi rolls with avocado and such.

If you'd like to jump in and try something a bit more daring, I'd suggest the very popular tuna roll. Yellowtail, Hamachi is also a safe bet; it has a very mild taste. Add a bit of wasabi, the green stuff which is hot, if you'd like and dip the corner in soy sauce.

Note: it is socially acceptable to eat a piece of sushi with your hands. A piece of sushi is two bites for most people. Pick it up, dip the corner in soy sauce if you wish, bite off half. http://www.12ozprophet.com/images/up...ushi02_600.jpg

If you are not proficient with chopsticks, you may pick up a piece of a roll using your fingers. http://www.caloriesetc.com/wp-conten..._hossomaki.jpg

Do not pick up sashimi, pieces of raw fish, with your fingers. http://stevesayskanpai.files.wordpre...shimi-main.jpg

Have a japanese beer or some sake; everything will go down easier.

[Johnny Bananas]

Originally Posted by Gerania

Tap dancing around the sushi menu...smoked salmon, so not really raw. Crab and shrimp are usually steamed. California roll, no raw fish in that. Tamago is cooked egg. There are also some vegetable sushi rolls with avocado and such.

If you'd like to jump in and try something a bit more daring, I'd suggest the very popular tuna roll. Yellowtail, Hamachi is also a safe bet; it has a very mild taste. Add a bit of wasabi, the green stuff which is hot, if you'd like and dip the corner in soy sauce.

Note: it is socially acceptable to eat a piece of sushi with your hands. A piece of sushi is two bites for most people. Pick it up, dip the corner in soy sauce if you wish, bite off half. http://www.12ozprophet.com/images/up...ushi02_600.jpg

If you are not proficient with chopsticks, you may pick up a piece of a roll using your fingers. http://www.caloriesetc.com/wp-conten..._hossomaki.jpg

Do not pick up sashimi, pieces of raw fish, with your fingers. http://stevesayskanpai.files.wordpre...shimi-main.jpg

Have a japanese beer or some sake; everything will go down easier.

Reps for the impressive and imformative post! Thanks... I do not know how to use chopsticks... something she can teach me.

If only I could have a beer but I'm only 20.

[floridadreamer]

I would also suggest starting with a california roll, then perhaps on to a spicy tuna roll, maybe some crab sticks. If that goes over well, you can start to experiment with soft shell crab in rolls, things like that. I've been out with a group of friends that always orders the mystery platter, definitely not something I would recommend unless you really trust who you're dining with.

Enjoy!