Do you struggle to use chopsticks? Do you shamelessly shove sushi into your mouth at dinner even though it’s socially unacceptable? Are you looking to upgrade from a dull six-piece roll to something new? Here are some new trendy ways to kick up your sushi experience without the mess or the hassle of mastering chopsticks.
1. Sushi Burrito
Photo by Sarah Yanofsky
Think salmon, tuna, cucumber, tempura crunch, and more all wrapped in rice and soy paper. The California restaurant Sushirrito revolutionized basic sushi and transformed it into a hand-held sushi burrito. You can get these in other areas too such as Uma Temakeria in New York City or Hai Street Kitchen in Philadelphia.
2. Sushi Bowl
Photo by Taylor Borenstein
Picture a salad with rice for lettuce, fresh fish for chicken, and avocado, sesame seeds, wasabi and ginger in place of your typical salad toppings. Yes, this exists. You can try one of these fresh, innovative bowls at locations such as The Fresh Market or Whole Foods.
3. Sushi Burger
Photo courtesy of @sunshinerodriguez on Instagram
Do you ever walk into a restaurant wanting something heftier than sushi but lighter than a burger? Well, the Ramen burger just wasn’t enough and now you can satiate your desires with the sushi burger. This delectable entree has a sticky fried rice bun and all the sushi fillings in between. And the best part is, you can eat it with your hands and not get weird looks. Try a variation of this at The Cowfish.
4. Sushi Tower
Photo by Gillian Bayer
For those of you who eat sushi with a fork and knife and make a huge mess like I do, fear not, for the sushi tower will be your new best friend. It’s essentially like a tuna tartare, but way more delicious. You can easily cut into this tower of rice, tuna, avocado, crab, shrimp, and more. Obba in Miami has many different kinds of this sushi delicacy that you can try or you can even get it in New Orleans at Sake Cafe.
5. Crispy Rice
Photo by Gillian Bayer
Crispy rice has all of the components you could ever hope for in a sushi dish – fried sticky rice, spicy tuna, and some fresh jalapeño to give it a nice kick. Restaurants all over serve this tasty dish, but be sure to try it from Koi, which has multiple locations throughout the country.
6. Sushi in a Mason Jar
Photo by Gabby Phi
If you thought plated sushi was the only way to go, then think again. Some geniuses figured out a way to pack all your sushi desires into a mason jar. This is one artsy way to eat sushi.
7. Sushi Sandwich
Photo by Gillian Bayer
The chopstick obstacle can be avoided yet again with these mini sushi sandwiches, proving for the millionth time that most things taste better as a sandwich. Hand-held food just got a whole lot trendier.