Carolinian

Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Life

From the case full of sushi in the EUC food court to Harris Teeter's fresh sushi bar to the commercials for U.S. Sushi, it is hard to deny the growing popularity of the traditionally Japanese food. Sushi bars are becoming increasingly cool places to hang with friends or take a date, so whether you're excited about taking the first bite or worrying about yoru gag reflex, here are some tips on how to survive the sushi bar and get past the seaweed and the white blocks of rice.

The most common misconception about sushi is that when many beginners imagine it, they think sushi is raw fish. Sushi, in fact, does not have to be raw. In order for something to be considered sushi, it must be made with vinegared rice, with or without vegetables, and raw or cooked fished. The raw fish sometimes served with sushi is called sashimi.

A sushi roll may be wrapped in the distinctive nori, which is the dried green seaweed that you may have seen wrapped around a sushi roll. Sushi is usually dipped and eaten with soy sauce, wasabi paste, and shaved ginger.

Culturally, Americans tend to shy away from raw meat and fish, but don't be afraid to try sashimi! Fish used for sashimi must be fresher and of a higher quality than the stuff you find cooked on a regular menu, and before it is sold to sushi bars it is flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen to kill any bacteria.

Once you have overcome your aversion to sushi, or decided to take the plunge anyway, how do you decide where to get it? Sure, the EUC sells sushi, but this may not be ideal for a first experience. The sushi you can get at Harris Teeter is okay, especially if you go during lunch and order a fresh roll. If you are on a budget, this is probably the best bet. That said, relatively high-priced sushi is generally the best quality and uses the freshest ingredients. At a sushi bar like Sushi Republic on Tate Street, you can actually sit at the bar and watch the itamae (sushi chefs) slice sashimi and make your rolls.

If you are going to eat somewhere a bit nicer, it would be best to brush up on your etiquette. In the original Japanese setting it was customary to sit on the floor to eat, but most places do not follow this tradition any longer. It is also traditional for one to eat sushi with your fingers or with chopsticks, as opposed to a fork. Not sure what to order? Ask the itamae what is best-they can guide you to the freshest ingredients of the day and make suggestions.

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