We all wish for similar things, success, wealth, and happiness. How about traveling to Japan and taking a sushi making class? There was a little girl, who was also in our Sushi Mafia Insider Workshop that made this wish on her birthday... and it came true. Knowing that kids out there are seeking experiences like this, makes me happy. When you take a class like this you will appreciate sushi so much more, especially when you go back home after traveling. We learned about the sushi making process, how to properly eat sushi, and got to sear our own fish. We were stuffed by the end of the class!
We started the class with some appetizers and cups of sake (additional cost) We cheered with everyone in the group, toasting to an amazing experience ahead. The staff included a few chefs and guides that helped us through the process, they first showed us what wasabi root looked like before it’s ground up and served. They vigorously scraped the root on a dried shark skin paddle, and when it was ready we had a little taste. Then they showed us how they create sushi rice. In a large wooden container, they added vinegar to the rice and started “cutting” and mixing it. They were placed on the table for us to use.
Next, they displayed a chalkboard listing the seven types of fish were going to work with. Loved the variety included in the class: three different cuts of tuna (lean, medium, and fatty), swordfish, salmon, barracuda, sea bream, and octopus. The fish was already pre-cut for use, so we didn’t have to handle any knives. Now it was time to assemble our own sashimi. First, you take the sushi rice in your right hand and shape it like a rounded rectangle. Then you take a piece of fish into your left hand and add a dab of wasabi. Then you put the rice on the fish and flip it so that the sashimi is right side up. Then you take your index and middle finger and use them to shape the ends of the sashimi. We completed our beautiful platter of colorful sashimi and it was time to finally eat our creation!
We also learned how to eat sushi the correct way. Pick up the piece with your chopsticks, flip it to its side, and then dip the fish side into the soy sauce. When you do it this way, the rice won’t get soaked and break. You can also eat sushi with your hands! They also gave us another platter of sushi that the chef made during the demonstration. So much more professional looking than ours!
Seared sushi is becoming more popular in modern sushi restaurants around the world. All you need is a dash of salt and pepper and a torch and you have sushi that melts in your mouth! Everyone in the class had a chance to hold the torch and sear their own sushi. We also got to try a roasted rice ball!
I’m sure we ate more than 20 pieces of sushi during our class, so it was so worth it! We learned so much about sushi and have a new appreciation for the art. Big thank you to the chefs that run this class, they were willing to share their skills and spread their love of sushi to the world. Definitely book a class if you plan on traveling to Japan before you dine at some of the best sushi restaurants. You’ll never look at sushi the same way! Thank you Sushi Mafia!
