Sushi: The Raw Truth

     Hello everyone! It's been quite a while since I've gotten a chance to write. Between college things, holidays, family, and friends, I've been slammed. But now I'm back to finally post about my absolute favorite food; Sushi!

     Sushi was actually first "invented" in ancient Japan, by accident. Farmers would store their fish in a vinegar marinade to eat later. Someone eventually put the fish and rice (Also marinated) together and sushi was created. Sushi has grown since that time from being just fish and rice, to being rolled up with a variety of veggies, sauces, and even other meats. There are even steakhouses that sell sushi with pieces of steak and chicken instead of fish. It's usually eaten with wasabi (A spicy green paste) or pickled ginger (A lighter, cool topping). What people don't realize about sushi though, is that it is NOT ALL RAW! I've tried to convert quite a few people to being sushi eaters and they shy away from me, wincing and whining about the awful thought of eating rancid, raw fish. But this is a total misconception. Sushi is actually about half raw, half cooked in general. Anything "Sashimi" or "Nigiri" is almost always raw. Sushi rolls are usually cooked, with examples ranging from the notorious California Roll to the raw rolls like the Rainbow Roll. But don't be afraid because you hear something is raw. Sushi-grade fish is the best, freshest type of fish one can eat. It's usually only bought at high-end grocery stores or fresh fish markets. Basically, the sushi you're eating, although it's raw, is NOT tainted in anyway. But be aware, this is dependent on the restaurant or sushi bar you eat at. If you go to some all-you-can-eat sushi bar in the middle of nowhere, midwest USA, that is no where near an ocean, and you expect fresh, quality sushi, you may be out of luck. But the vast majority, thanks to the FDA, is totally safe to eat. And not to mention, it's delicious!
     The flavors of sushi are so varied and unique, it's hard to go wrong. Eating a piece of sushi (A single bite while a roll is usually 6 or 8 bites) is like biting into a simple, clean, and satisfying delight. Because sushi is my favorite food, I'm always trying to find the best of the best. I've literally been to states all over the country, on a constant quest for the freshest, most unique flavor. But my original search didn't start cross-country. It started local, right here in the frozen, little Granite State. My sushi-convert friends kept asking me where the best sushi was in the area. I really had no idea what to suggest because the only restaurant I had been to was You You's Japanese Bistro, off exit 6 in Nashua. It turns out that You You's would end up being the absolute best in New Hampshire, but it would be a long sushi-search before I made that realization. I started the search where I normally start my little food quests; on the internet! I searched for all the local sushi places around southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. As they popped up on my screen, I located them in relation to Merrimack and I planned out my foodie adventure.

     I don't remember exactly the order I searched them out in, however, I do remember the nit-picky details of each meal. Let's start first with Mikata. Mikata is a Japanese restaurant (Obviously) located on Amherst Street in Nashua. It's a pretty big restaurant when compared to many sushi places, but Mikata is mainly known for their hibachi grills. I've been there a few times, and it was the restaurant I chose to celebrate my seventeenth birthday at. My friends and I all enjoyed our experience there, and the majority of them actually ordered sushi rather than hibachi food. I ended up ordering the rainbow roll, the alaska roll, the crazy roll, the california roll, and shrimp, white tail, and salmon sashimi. When the food arrived it was a beautiful plate set up on a classic wooden plank. As I lifted each bite to my lips with chop sticks, I made sure to remember to note every detail. While the fish was very fresh, something about the sushi tasted a bit stale. Maybe it was the avocado or the rice, but the flavor was a bit off. Even when dipped in soy sauce, some tiny little after-taste would not go away. Not only was the flavor off, but so were the prices. The california roll and more simple Maki rolls were average price, around five dollars. But while rainbow rolls are usually around seven to eight dollars, Mikata's is a hefty $10.95. When paying so much money for a meal, especially sushi, I'd prefer the taste to be worth the money I'm paying. I've also ordered sushi take-out from Mikata, which was so-so. They simply seemed to make the sushi and throw it (Literally) in a plastic container so the roll was nearly unravelled by the time I got home to eat it. So while Mikata is an ok location for some sushi, and the flavor is somewhat fresh, I suggest you keep reading to find an even better place to chow down on some sushi deliciousness!
     Another local sushi star is Takumi. Many people in the New Hampshire-Northern Massachusetts area believe Takumi is the best place for sushi. However, my experiences there have been similar to Mikata; good, but extremely expensive. While I was there I ordered a Rainbow Roll, a California Roll, some sashimi, and a Spicy Tuna Roll. Every roll tasted fresh and delicious (I believe the spicy roll was the best spicy roll I've ever tasted), but the prices were out of control. The Rainbow Roll was an outrageous 14 dollars! The California, normally one of the cheapest rolls around 4 dollars, is $6.25 here! I was blown away and actually felt terrible for ordering sushi at the expense of my Mom. And you'd think at the extreme prices Takumi puts for their sushi that it'd be a giant portion or extremely high end. But I've had better sushi elsewhere for half the price. I also had some of my mom's Hibachi order (She's squeals with terror at the thought of eating sushi- Whatever, more for me) of Teriyaki chicken, shrimp, and fried rice with mushrooms. It was delicious and definitely worth the usual Hibachi prices of between 15-20 dollars. Plus the portion was huge. So pluses of Takumi; Amazing spicy rolls, fresh sushi, and incredible Hibachi. Negatives? The crazy prices.

A Boston Roll, California Roll, Salmon
 Sashimi, and Yellow Tail Sashimi from You You's

     Dynamite Sushi, a sushi joint in Hudson, New Hampshire, is another yummy competitor for the best local sushi. I went there for lunch and ordered a bento box as well as a few maki rolls. I would probably say Dynamite is known, like Takumi, for being one of the best sushi places up here. I agree with this opinion and I declare Dynamite as the second best sushi in New Hampshire. The fish tasted extremely fresh, not fishy at all, and the prices were average. The bento was average also and definitely not something I'd order again. It tasted like any Japanese food I could get from a sub-par restaurant. When going to Dynamite, dive into the sushi menu, but I'd be a little wary when it comes to the cooked stuff.

     I know you guys have been waiting for the best sushi in New Hampshire, so finally, I'll reveal the #1. After all my exploring, observation, and stuffing my face with a pair of chopsticks, I declare You You Japanese Bistro to be the number one sushi place in New Hampshire! The restaurant looks pretty small from the outside, but once stepping into the dimly lighted, romantic atmosphere, you would definitely think the restaurant was huge. I have probably been to You You's 50 times and I have never been disappointed. The service is quick and attentive and the prices are so great for the quality of sushi you receive. I've tried almost all the rolls on the menu at least once. My favorites include the California, the Boston, and the Spicy You You Roll. This last roll is made up of barbecued yellowtail, pan seared scallop, cucumber, and flying roe. It doesn't taste like any sushi I've ever had and it actually reminds me of eating barbecued meat instead of sushi! The scallop, yellowtail, and cucumber come together to make a nice mix of smooth fish and crunchy cucumber to create a textured bite of contemporary food. Not only is the texture great, but the sauce spread on top gives the roll a a meaty and smokey flavor that I've never experienced in a sushi roll. I also recommend getting the sashimi while you're there. The salmon sashimi literally melts in your mouth. And any roll with avocado is sure to be fantastic because the avocado is always fresh and creamy. The size of each bite of sushi is perfectly measured. It is not too big of a portion that you're afraid to choke, and it's also not so small that you don't feel you're getting your money's worth. In the sushi world, the size of the bite is actually very important when it comes to sushi etiquette. Similar to a petit fore, a bite of sushi should be able to be eaten in one bite. If you take two bites of one piece of sushi, it's considered to be very bad manners. 

     At You You's, if you go for lunch, you'll also receive a free bowl of hot, steamy miso soup. This miso is also some of the best I've had. Usually I don't even bother to order off of the regular menu because I'm so obsessed with the sushi, but recently I've been trying the mix of Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Euro-Asian entrees on the menu. My favorite choice so far has been the Ok Dol Bi Bim Bab. While the name is quite a tongue twister, don't be afraid to order this amazing dish. It includes pieces of cooked flank steak, rice, a variety of vegetables (Bean sprouts, carrots, zucchini, etc.), a special spicy Korean sauce, and, to top it off, a fried egg. It's also cooked in a hot stone pot. When mixed together, the flavors pop from each ingredient. The mix of heat from the sauce and the savory flavors of the steak and egg will leave your pallet craving more. If you're in the Nashua area, be sure to stop off at exit 6 and find this hidden gem of a restaurant; I promise you won't be disappointed!

     In this post I've only been discussing the sushi in New Hampshire. But my favorite sushi that I've ever had is at a restaurant in my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. The restaurant is called "Sushi O Sushi" and the menu includes the largest variety of rolls I've ever seen. The menu contains 76 different rolls, probably hosting any kind of sushi you could think of; crunch, tempura, traditional rolls, spicy, all-raw, and even FRUIT SUSHI! The location, like You You's, is small and unconvincing from the outside, but once inside the employees will chat with you and make it seem like a one of a kind, homey experience. The flavors are authentic and clear, never failing to please my pallet. The veggies and fruit can be seen being cut fresh at the sushi bar to guarantee a delicious roll. And the prices are also fantastic for the great sushi you order. Any time I'm in Nashville, I make it a priority to visit Sushi O Sushi for another wonderful meal. 
   I hope you click away from this screen a little more informed about the usually misunderstood genre of food called Sushi. Whether you're already a sushi lover who's looking for a new place to try some Maki, Nigiri, or Sashimi, or you're a sushi virgin who didn't know what you were getting into, I strive to give you the raw truth on my absolute favorite food.

-The Oaklavore

More Sushi Pics

A spread at Sushi O Sushi 

Wasabi Man!