Celebrate International Sushi Day Every June 18

• By NSC
• 3 Comments.

 

 

Sushi lovers the world over, rejoice! There’s a whole day just for enjoying the myriad concoctions we call sushi: It’s International Sushi Day.

That’s right, it’s a day to savor seasoned rice with fish (raw or cooked), vegetables and more.

International Sushi Day began on Facebook in 2009. It apparently started with a sushi Facebook Fan page, which proved very popular. So the page admin created International Sushi Day. The first one was June 18, 2009. The day does have it’s own Facebook page, but it looks like it’s only active around Sushi Day.

 

Sushi Trivia

“Sushi” does not mean raw fish. Yes, some sushi is made with raw fish, but that’s not what makes it sushi. The term describes the vinegar, sugar and salt-seasoned rice that accompanies the other ingredients.

That means Sashimi is not really sushi, because it doesn’t come with the rice. But it is raw fish.

Nigiri is sushi, although the seafood is draped over a mound of the rice.

Maki rolls are probably the most common kind of sushi you’re used to. In Western society we’ve created countless variations of this roll. There’s the California Roll, the Texas Roll, the Philadelphia Roll … We could go on for pages. But we won’t because that won’t help you celebrate this day.

Sushi actually started in China as a way to preserve fish in the 2nd century A.D. The fish was allowed to ferment in rice, which was thrown away before eating the fish. Around the 17th century people started using the seasoned rice and fresh fish we recognize today.

The traditional way to eat sushi is with your fingers. … Oops, we’ve been eating it with chopsticks all this time!

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this deliciously unofficial holiday.

---

---

 

Ideas for How to Celebrate International Sushi Day

We love these food holidays, ‘cause they’re so simple to celebrate! Just eat the food you’re celebrating. For businesses, create specials around the food.

Individuals

Of course, that means for International Sushi Day you must eat international sushi … Oh wait. Just eat sushi; yeah that sounds better. ;)

So head out to your favorite Japanese restaurant and enjoy some sushi. In past years restaurants have often offered free sushi samples in honor of the day. So if you’ve never tried sushi …

Wait. What? Why!? …

Ok, we’re back. If you’ve never tried sushi a free tasting might be the perfect introduction. See if a restaurant near you is offering this.

Try a maki roll or sashimi that you’ve never tried before.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, learn how to make sushi at home. It’s easier than you think. And who cares if the pieces don’t look perfect? Bet they taste just fine.

Once you’ve got the basics down, try a different recipe. Like one of these:

• Shrimp Sushi Rolls
• Southern-Style Sushi
• Vegetable Sushi
• Nigiri Sushi
• Smoked Salmon and Caviar Sushi
• Mitsuko’s Perfect Sushi Rice (from Emeril Lagasse)

 

Businesses

For restaurants that make sushi the celebration is simple: Create specials for the day. Either a special sushi roll just for the day or special pricing on certain sushi items. Or both!

Grocery stores can create displays with everything customers need to make sushi at home. Put sticky rice, bamboo mats, and nori near the vegetables. Make a similar display near the seafood. Maybe even include a recipe card or 2 at each display (veggie sushi & seafood sushi as appropriate).

Other companies could treat their employees to a catered sushi lunch. Or for smaller groups, bosses could take their employees out to lunch for sushi.

How do you plan to celebrate International Sushi Day?

 

GoogleAd-NSC-Bottom (text-3)