After opening August 2015, Sumo Roll has been bringing tasty hand-rolled sushi burritos to Downtown Berkeley. Sushi burritos? Yup, sushi rolls the size of burritos. To get a first-hand taste, Spoon visited to try their top selections.
Photo by Isabel Wang
Unlike Chipotle, Sumo Roll has a set menu of burritos, and none of these carefully crafted combinations of fresh seafood, pickled vegetables and Umami-packed sauces disappoint.
Photo by Isabel Wang
Each burrito has its own unique flavor profile, that starts with a foundation of house-pickled veggies, fresh produce, sushi-grade seafood and rich, creamy Japanese-style aioli wrapped in their signature “tortilla” of rice and seaweed. Oh, and did we mention that almost all of their ingredients are organic and gluten-free? Sumo Roll prides its rolls on being fresh, local and healthy, and we couldn’t agree more.
Photo by Isabel Wang
One of their most popular rolls, the Hawaiian, comes with savory chunks of Ahi tuna sashimi, a creamy avocado-edamame spread and rich, spicy aioli balanced against citrusy yuzu green beans, bright pickled cucumbers and fresh spring greens.
Photo by Isabel Wang
Another hot item, their Shinsen, might as well be a bento box in roll form with white longfin tuna, seaweed salad, pickled daikon and spring greens covered in a ginger soy aioli bursting with Umami. This roll hits every taste — salty, sweet, sour, bitter and savory — in every bite.
Photo by Isabel Wang
Other mouthwatering rolls include the Kamikaze, the spicy tuna roll’s supersized cousin; the Upstream, with cooked salmon for those looking for the rich flavor without the raw fish; and the Baja California, shrimp tempura wrapped in 100% real rock crab. For vegetarians, Sumo Roll has the Kabuki and Midori with miso marinated eggplant and spicy curry tofu, respectively.
Photo by Isabel Wang
You might be used to sushi meals being light lunch affairs, but these burritos are as filling as they are flavorful. The savory ingredients, like their ginger-rubbed sous-vide salmon or fresh wasabi aioli, are seasoned with intense spices and marinades for a richness sure to satisfy. The plethora of fresh and pickled vegetables in the rolls then provide a punch of acid and crunch that cuts the richness and leaves you feeling full but still fresh.
Photo by Isabel Wang
You’ll have to hurry in during class or Saturday afternoon to try a roll though, because they’re only open from 11:30 am-6 pm Monday through Saturday. Just make sure you have a sumo-sized appetite ready.