There’s nothing worse than eating a batch of bad sushi. If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience the repercussions of this, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
Fresh ingredients should be your number one priority when selecting a sushi joint. Figuring out how to tell if your sushi is fresh can be very difficult, especially for first-time sushi eaters. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks and tips that can help you distinguish fresh sushi from not-so-fresh sushi.
Here are three simple ways to tell if your sushi is fresh.
Smell Your Sushi
The tell-tale sign of fresh sushi is the smell. Regardless of what you may think, sushi shouldn’t smell very fishy. According to world-renowned sushi chef Hidekazu Tojo, a good sushi restaurant should smell like cucumber or watermelon.
Sushi with high-quality fish that has been flash-frozen and properly stored will not smell fishy. If you get a big whiff of fish when your roll is brought to you, it’s a good indicator that the sushi isn’t fresh and you should avoid it.
Check The Appearance
The look of your sushi can also be a good indicator of its freshness. Fresh fish should look bright, shiny, and translucent. Although frozen fish is commonly used in the majority of sushi restaurants, you can still see the ‘preserved freshness’ by looking at it. Frozen fish stays bright in color and looks uniform without any blotches or discoloration. Avoid any fish that has a milky residue on it or looks dull in color.
If your sushi has Nori seaweed on the outside of it, it should be crisp. Mushy Nori is an indicator that the sushi has been sitting out for too long and has taken on moisture from the rice.
Get Handsy
Another reliable way to gauge the freshness of your sushi is to simply touch it. The fish used in your sushi should be firm yet flexible. Use the tip of your index finger to gently press the flesh of the fish. Your finger should not leave any indentation, so if the fingerprint remains on your fish it’s most likely not fresh. Once you get this trick down, you’ll be a pro at spotting a bad sushi restaurant.
The freshness of your sushi is necessary not only for a yummy meal but also for your health. Stomach pains, food poisoning, and even parasites are among the pitfalls you can experience if you ingest bad sushi. Children are even more susceptible to these ailments so learning a few sushi safety tips for parents can help you keep you and your child healthy. Follow these easy tips and tricks you can ensure that your sushi is fresh and safe!
