Sushi Nigiri.. I'm thinking about visiting a Japanese restaurant. I'm not too sure I want to try sush just yet

Question

so I was wondering if there is such as thing as cooked sushi.....also what exactly is nigiri?

Answer 1

Many sushi items are cooked, like anything with shrimp, or crab. Also most places have tempura(deep fried) shrimp or crab. Also they have vegetables sushi too. You will have no problem finding sushi that is not raw. Once you try it, you will love it.

Answer 2

Just to add to some of the other answers (which are all really good), sushi technically refers to the rice, not the fish.

I would advise you to at least *try* the raw fish. Raw fish, as long as it's fresh, stored properly, and prepared properly, isn't dangerous to eat. I've eaten it countless times in the States, and I live in Japan now, and I have never gotten sick or known someone who has. Also, once you discover you like it, you'll never want to eat cooked tuna or salmon again :)

Answer 3

Nigiri is a name for the type of sushi where the sticky rice is formed into a little clump and then various types of seafood or other toppings are layed on top of the rice clump.

Here's a photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rofi/250402...

Don't worry there are lots of types of cooked sushi.  You can even get sushi rolls that don't contain seafood.  My husband likes these little rolls called "avocado salad rolls".  It's just avocado and other salad type items rolled up in thin rice paper.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganv/4600...

Answer 4

sushi isn't necessarily raw fish, there are some cooked sushi dishes, but maybe you should start with something simple like a california roll or something deep fried

Answer 5

Get veggie sushi.  (California Roll I do believe it is called) It isn't really sushi but they do make a version that just has veggies in it.  A dab of wasabi and it is still very good.  Some just like the soy sauce, but I like the spicy flavor of wasabi.  Not too much if you are sensitive to spicy food though.  It will clear your sinuses if it is made right.

Answer 6

yes, there's are sushi that does come cooked, usually the rolls that they have on the menu are cooked or smoked from the restaurant's I've been too, alot of the meat/seafood is either tempura (fried) or smoked. if you do go to one, i recommend to start out with the LION KING ROLL, it's baked so you don't have to worry about the slimy raw fish.

nigiri sushi is basically a rectangle of sushi rice with slice of fish (of your choice) on top.a majority of these are the one are raw with a few excepts like tamago (egg) or eel.

Sashimi is basically fresh raw fish/seafood and it doesn't have sushi rice.

Answer 7

yes, they can use tuna, and other cooked fish...also substitite fish for veggies!!  Yumm

enjoy

Answer 8

The above answers are all good.  I'll just add that sushi is the rice.  The uncooked fish used in many kinds of sushi is called sashimi when served without the rice.

People who are new to Japanese food may find it interesting that the "fishy" taste of fish is much more pronounced when you cook it.  Raw fish is very mild and sweet.

Answer 9

You should see if the restaurant you're going to has the "new-style" sashimi like at Nobu.  It is partly cooked, partly raw.  They pour boiling liquids on it and it semi cooks it.  It is a great way to start out with sushi, because it;s actual fish, but it's not completely raw.  Also, the hot eel sushi is really good. It's warm and its completely cooked.

Answer 10

nigiri sushi is the most common type of sushi which is any kind of fish on rice with a touch of wasabi between the two.  it is usually ordered in pairs (2 of each).  

if you want to try something raw for your first sushi experience, order tuna (maguro) or sake (salmon, not the rice wine).  these are the least "fishy" fish and also most popular among americans.

surprisingly, much of nigiri sushi is not even raw. shrimp (ebi) and crab (kani) are both cooked before they are laid to rest on the rice bed. at some point, try eel (unagi), which is grilled and then marinated in a sweet sauce for several days. finally, a test of the chef is the tamago, an omelet of stacked paper-thin egg slices strapped onto the rice with a band of seaweed.

however you will have better luck ordering maki sushi (sushi rolls) or handrolls.  maki is sushi rice and fillings rolled in a sheet of nori or seaweed and cut into 6-8 pieces.  a handroll is a piece of nori shaped into a cone and filled with sushi rice and fillings.  a handroll is eaten with your hands and is for one person, unlike a maki roll which can be shared.

there are a few standard rolls that you will find at any sushi bar that does not contain raw fish.  the california roll contains crab, cucumber, and avocado.  the caterpillar roll contains unagi (eel) and avocado.  the philadelphia roll contains smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber.  also, try anything with prepared tempura (usually shrimp or soft-shell crab) because it is deep fried.  yum!  

good luck with your first sushi experience!  it's so delicious and healthy for you.  i can't get enough.