Temaki Zushi...

The art of the Hand Roll... has been lost for the most part. But for those who know... it IS one of the best ways to enjoy a slice of raw fish. For food like sushi, I believe texture plays just as important role as does taste. That's why you should only order hand rolls when you're sitting at the sushi bar. It's critcal to eat the hand roll within seconds of being made so the nori (seaweed) stays fresh and crispy. The crispyness of the nori combined with the fresh fish combined with delicate sushi rice make for a wonderful culinary experience all it's own. When you order the same handroll at a table, it just isn't the same. No matter how fast your server is, the nori will begin to soak up the moister from the rice within seconds and you end up with chewy nori and a subpar experience.

Years ago, I remember when I was working as a sushi helper, we were allowed to eat sushi as our family meal at the end of every Sunday . It was my favorite night to work just because I knew at the end of night, I was going to get sushi. I'd go to the bar, get a couple pieces of nori, a bowl of rice and some cuts of sashimi, avocado and usually cucumbers and sit at the table with the others. While everyone else was enjoying their meal as sashimi, which was the perenial favorite. I started making handrolls right at the table with all my ingredients. To this day, it's still the best hand rolls I've ever enjoyed. I just remember being overwhelmed by how good everything tasted at the moment it was made, as opposed sitting there for a few minutes. It does make a difference.

So... I suggest trying it at your favorite neighborhood sushi bar. Sit at the bar and start ordering hand rolls. You won't regret it. The picture above is from part of my dinner tonight, Yellowtail and Scallion and Tuna Avocado Hand Rolls. I also had an Eel and Cucumber Hand Roll but it's not pictured.