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Why does sushi taste so much better in Japan?
If you've ever dined at a high-end omakase sushi bar, you've likely noticed that much of the fish served is imported from Japan, particularly from the Toyosu Fish Market. It's widely acknowledged among sushi chefs and culinary experts alike that Japanese fish is considered to be of exceptional quality. This leads to an intriguing question: does this fish genuinely taste better, and could this be the reason why sushi in Japan often seems to outshine its counterparts in the US

Kaz Matsune
Apr 15, 20243 min read


Fresh fish near me: Where you can get Sushi Grade Fish Online to make sushi at home (2024 update)
Sushi grade fish salmon and tuna Ordeing sushi grade fish is easier than ever Since the COVID pandemic shut down in March 2020, many businesses have pivoted. My company Breakthrough Sushi is one of them. We have been offering in-person sushi classes, but during the lockdown, our business came to a sudden halt. There was no business between March to July 2020, which threatened the future of the business. The solution came when one of my business collage told me about a local

Kaz Matsune
Jan 4, 20244 min read


Salmon is the new Tuna
Salmon sushi has become popular among children, younger generations, and female enthusiasts. In the United States, salmon sushi has gained popularity equivalent to that of tuna. Interestingly, this trend also extends to Japan, where salmon has become a sought-after ingredient in sushi. The increasing popularity of salmon sushi can be attributed to Norway's extensive efforts to export its abundant salmon resources to Japan. In 1986, the Norwegian government dedicated the next

Kaz Matsune
Jun 5, 20234 min read


Make Sushi at Home: Salmon Avocado Roll (Chumaki, Medium Seaweed Out Roll, 4pc)
COOKING TIME Total: 35 - 40 minutes Sushi Rice: 30 - 40 minutes Rolling: 5 minutes One common question in sushi is: What qualifies as...

Kaz Matsune
Jan 10, 20232 min read


Make sushi at home recipe: Spicy Tuna Hand Roll (Easy Temaki Anyone Can Make)
COOKING TIME Total: 40 - 50 minutes Sushi Rice: 30 - 40 minutes Prep (Spicy Tuna): 5 - 10 minutes Rolling: 1-2 minutes When people think of sushi outside of Japan, they often envision "rolls," specifically inside-out rolls. Not known to many regular sushi eaters is Temaki, an ice cream cone shaped roll also know as hand roll. As a sushi class instructor since 2021 (online since 2020), I've recommended temaki to those who find inside-out rolls daunting. Temaki is incredibly ea

Kaz Matsune
Dec 13, 20223 min read


When Making Takoyaki, Why Do Some People Cut The Tip of The Octopus Tentacles?
When making Takoyaki, you may have wondered why some people cut the tip of the octopus tentacles. This practice is based on a myth many...

Kaz Matsune
Nov 22, 20222 min read


Homemade Recipe for Sushi: New York Roll Is Also Known As Boston Roll (Inside Out, 8pc)
COOKING TIME Total: 40 - 50 minutes Sushi Rice: 30 - 40 minutes Prep (Shrimp): 5 - 10 minutes Rolling: 5 minutes New York (or Boston for...

Kaz Matsune
Aug 23, 20223 min read


Homemade Recipe for Sushi: Wasabi Roll (Hosomaki, Thin Seaweed Out Roll, 6pc)
If you think of “hot” when you hear the word wasabi, my guess is you probably haven’t had a chance to experience the fresh wasabi. Fresh...

Kaz Matsune
Aug 9, 20223 min read


Can Frozen Fish in Supermarkets Be Eaten Raw?
(Image by Margo Lipa from Pixabay) You may have come across the terms "sushi-grade" or "sashimi-grade" fish, which are recommended for raw consumption. The FDA suggests freezing fish for sushi to eliminate parasites. However, it's essential to understand whether the frozen fish available at supermarkets is safe to eat raw. The short answer is No, as not all frozen fish are suitable for raw consumption. While freezing does kill parasites, some bacteria and germs may survive, p

Kaz Matsune
Aug 2, 20223 min read


Sushi FAQ: What Does Fresh Fish Smell Like?
Fresh fish does NOT smell fishy. Yes, you’ve read it right. To me, it smells like a fresh ocean breeze, seaweed, algae, mineral and salt...

Kaz Matsune
Jul 26, 20222 min read


Mastering the Art of Cooking "Perfect" Short Grain Rice with the Help of Science
This recipe is for white short grain, or Japonica Rice, aka: Japanese rice, sushi rice. Summary - What to do Measure by weight, not by volume, or never a finger for water Use best tasting water available to rinse and cook Soak the rice for 120 min at 5℃ Water ratio: 1:1.1 Keep the internal temperature of 98℃/208.4°F for 20 minutes Summary - What to avoid Measure by volume, or using your finger to measure water Cooking without a lid Remove the lid while cooking or steamin

Kaz Matsune
May 24, 20227 min read


Decoding Sushi Rice: Unraveling the Mystery Between Sushi Rice and Japanese Rice
If you've ever considered making sushi at home, you might have been entangled in the enigma of rice varieties—sushi rice, Japanese rice, basmati rice, sticky rice, and more. The distinctions between them can be puzzling, but fear not, for I am here to illuminate the differences. Summary To make sushi rice: Use either Sushi or Japanese Rice Use either Short or Medium Grain Never use Sticky, "Mochigome" rice My first choice: Lundberg Organic Sushi Rice Runner Up: Nishiki For Su

Kaz Matsune
May 17, 20223 min read


2023 Update: Where to Find Sushi-Grade Fish for Homemade Sushi Delights
January 5, 2023 UPDATE: Here are some new additions to the list of online sites that offer sushi grade fish. Nevada Sierra Meat and...

Kaz Matsune
May 3, 20223 min read


Elevate Your Cocktail Experience with the Surprising Fresh Wasabi Bloody Mary
If you're a sushi enthusiast, you're probably familiar with Wasabi—the green, hot condiment that adds a spicy kick to your nigiri and...

Kaz Matsune
Apr 12, 20222 min read


The Ultimate Guide: Which Rice Should You Use for Sushi
When crafting the perfect sushi, the importance of rice cannot be overstated. At the heart of every exquisite sushi roll lies a bed of...

Kaz Matsune
Mar 29, 20223 min read


How and When Did Tuna Become Such an Iconic Sushi Fish Neta(Ingredients)
How and When Did Tuna Become Such an Iconic Sushi Fish Neta(Ingredients)? For Edo-Mae style sushi, "Maguro," Tuna is the king of sushi...

Kaz Matsune
Mar 8, 20224 min read


Why does Sushi taste so good? - The science of Umami explained
If you ever tried Sushi and found it so delicious, there is a scientific reason. Let me explain. This is from my recent talk at Food...

Kaz Matsune
Jun 29, 20212 min read


Albacore season has arrived
Our fish suppliers have informed us of the start of (long waited) Albacore season. West Coast Albacore from Oregon is rated as "The best...

Kaz Matsune
Mar 23, 20211 min read


Fresh fish does not always taste the best
"How should we keep this Tai Snapper in the fridge? “Looking at the whole fish, I asked Toru, the executive chef at Yoshida Sushi in...

Kaz Matsune
Dec 15, 20204 min read


Homemade Recipe for Sushi: Cucumber Avocado Roll (Inside Out Roll, 8pc)
If you think Cucumber Avocado Roll is boring, I urge you to think again. COOKING TIME Total: 35 - 45 minutes Sushi Rice: 30 - 40 minutes Rolling: 5 minutes Never underestimate the power (or I should say the flavor) of vegetables. Especially avocado. I think whoever thought of using Avocado for Sushi was Genius (supposedly, it was a chef at Tokyo Kaikan in Los Angeles who invented California Roll.) Avocado and Sushi Rice go really well. In fact, it’s tough to find ingredients

Kaz Matsune
Dec 8, 20203 min read
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