Its no secret that Chris and I are both HUGE fans of sushi. Even while living in Minneapolis we frequented the Byerly's Sushi Bar several times each week.
Needless to say, the sushi in Japan is FANFREAKINGTABULOUS. (go figure, right?) Chris and I go to our favorite sushi restaurant in Tomakomai at least several times each week. Its going to be emotional when we have to say good bye to our sushi chef friends.
The most commonly found sushi in America is probably the rolled type, or 'maki sushi.' While maki is certainly popular in America, it is probably the least popular form found in Japanese stores and restaurants. In Japan maki is made with the seaweed as the outer layer, with the rice, fish and everything wrapped inside. In American maki is typically made with the rice outside of the seaweed.
The most popular sushi found at Japanese restaurants is 'nigiri' sushi. Nigiri is consists of a oblond mound of sushi rice that the chef forms between the palms of the his hand, usually with a bit of wasabi, with a topping draped over it. Toppings are typically a type of fish, seafood, vegetable or tamago (sweet egg). Chris and I get criticized because we always tend to alternate between salmon and tuna....but we can't help it. Its tastes just too darn good to order anything else.
The most commonly found sushi in America is probably the rolled type, or 'maki sushi.' While maki is certainly popular in America, it is probably the least popular form found in Japanese stores and restaurants. In Japan maki is made with the seaweed as the outer layer, with the rice, fish and everything wrapped inside. In American maki is typically made with the rice outside of the seaweed.
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| A picture of the two different types of Maki. |
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| Nigiri Sushi. (from top to bottom) Tuna, Shrimp, and salmon. YUM!!!!!! |
This week the team chef and Taka came to our house to teach Chris and I how to make authentic Japanese sushi (no cheating by using molds or special tools....) Now we are fully prepared to host sushi parties this summer for friends and family. So just be warned, if you are coming to our house for dinner in the next few months....chances are you will be eating sushi....
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| Chris and the chef starting to slice the salmon for the nigiri |
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| Taka couldn't wait for the sushi to be done....so he decided to much on some nori (seaweed) |
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| A picture of our freshly handmade nigiri sushi (tuna, salmon and octopus) And yes, Chris and I made all of this!! Pretty good, huh? |
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| Chris took a picture of our completed sushi dinner! We learned how to make nigiri, maki, sashimi and carpaccio. Yum!! |
Chris and I are now fully prepared to make homemade sushi once we get back to Minnesota! We are quite worried that Japan has ruined sushi for us forever. The seafood and ingredients are so fresh and delicious here, we know that it will be hard to find comparable quality seafood back in Minnesota!!!
