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For love of sushi

by on Jul. 06, 2009, under Health, Life

I grew up ethnically Japanese (3rd generation) eating musubi (rice balls covered in seaweed) and lots of ikura (red/orange salmon eggs) over rice. I thought everyone ate food like this till I came to the U.S. Mainland and learned otherwise. Little did I know or dream that nigiri sushi would become so mainstream in the 21st Century.

I have found sushi in supermarkets in Europe, and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. It is sold in deli sections in Safeway and Whole Foods in Tucson. The plethora of sushi bars and Japanese restaurants in Tucson can also attest to the popularity of this food. Even some of my Hispanic friends will suggest eating sushi for dinner over Mexican food.

My favorite Hawaiian-style sushi and ramen noodles are served at Samurai on 3912 N. Oracle, which is fast food style. And then there’s my favorite Japanese-style healthy restaurant, Yoshimatsu at 2660 N. Campbell, which even has a cute gift shop and a side bistro, Sushimatsu.

Try both these restaurants and let me know about your experiences. There are now so many Japanese sushi restaurants in Tucson that I haven’t tried them all, so feel free to send in your alternate recommendations to me.

My dream would be to have an expense account with this online newspaper, to try them all! I have yet to eat at the new Ginza Sushi and Izakaya up near Kolb and Sunrise, or at the upscale Ra at La Encantada.

For the sushi lovering community, put your hands together before you eat, and say “itadakimasu” (thanks for this meal.)

This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 6:50 am and is filed under Health, Life. Tags for this post: , , , , , , , , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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  • azmouse

    Yum! I love sushi, but I’m still a mexican food addict.

  • Korey K

    I once had sushi in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  I’ll eat 3 day old Safeway sushi out of the dumpster before I do that again.

  • leftfield

    I am especially fond of Yoshimatsu’s food, but not so fond of their hours.  For some reason they are closed about 50% of the time I try to eat there.  I like the unagi bento with seaweed salad.

    It’s too bad that the yen (pun intended) for sushi around the world is so devastating to the ocean’s fisheries.   

  • Carolyn

    Thanks for all your comments. Yes indeed, sushi should be eaten fresh.

  • Korey K

    Carolyn, I’d be interested in your take on Tucson vs Japan sushi.  I’ve only been lucky enough to go to Japan once as an adult, although I was born there (Air Force brat).  I was sadly amused by the number of restaurants catering to American businessmen advertising in the English language newspapers there.  The adcopy on some pretty much said “We have the American food you love so you don’t have to suffer with the local cuisine”. 

    I ate mostly in local non-touristy places.  I tried everything suggested and put in front of me, and the only thing I didn’t like had chicken gizzards in it, but then, I never liked them anyway.  I had one tasty handroll, name of which I forget, that was filled with fermented soybean curd.  It was covered in a thick , highly viscous sauce, like okra or nopalitos, only more so.  My hosts clapped when I finished it and told me that most Americans run to the restroom after the first bite.

  • Carolyn

    Korey K, Unfortunately I’ve only been to Japan once decades ago in the 1970′s so I lack any knowledge of Japanese sushi. That thick  “fermented soybean curd” you refer to was probably what we call “nato” in Hawaii, which I totally dislike and will leave a room if it’s being served.  But some of my Japanese American friends and family love it.

  • RADC MAXIMUS

    Broil it with garlic and lemon. Deep fry it in beer batter. Smoke it, bake it, steam it or poach it. Raw? Chuck it.

  • azmouse

    Rad Max,
    LOL! I love it those ways too.

  • radmax

    Howdy az. Some things are just not meant to be eaten uncooked. :)

  • Carolyn Classen

    Sushi update: Inexpensive, delicious food at Fuku Sushi, 940 E. University Blvd in Main Gate Square.  Tried the spicy shrimp sushi (8 pieces) which came with miso soup and a fresh salad with oriental dressing.  What a meal deal for only $4!

  • http://www.zivljenjskozavarovanje.eu Anonymous

    I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the nice work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

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