How to Check If Sushi Is Fresh?

Nothing is worse than eating bad sushi. You know what we mean if you’ve had the misfortune to suffer from this.

When choosing a sushi restaurant, the freshest ingredients should be your top priority. It can be difficult to determine if the sushi you are eating is fresh, especially if you’re a first-timer. There are some simple tips and tricks that will help you tell the difference between fresh and not-so-fresh.

Here are three easy ways to determine if the sushi you’re eating is fresh.

Smell your Sushi

Fresh sushi has a distinct smell. No matter what you think, sushi should not smell fishy. Hidekazu Tojo is a world-renowned chef of sushi. According to a good restaurant should smell cucumber or watermelon.

Sushi made with fish of high quality that has been flash frozen and stored properly will not smell like fish. When you receive your sushi roll, if you smell fishy, likely, that it is not fresh.

Check the Appearance

Your sushi’s appearance can be an indicator of its quality. Fresh fish should be bright, shiny, and translucent. Even though frozen fish is used by most sushi restaurants, it still has a ‘preserved’ freshness. Frozen fish is uniform in color, and does not have any discoloration or blotches. Avoid fish with a milky coating or dull color.

Crisp Nori is a sign that your sushi was not left out for too long. Mushy nori indicates that the sushi is too old and has absorbed moisture from the rice.

Get Handsy

Touching your sushi will also help you determine its freshness. Your sushi fish should be flexible but firm. Press the flesh gently with the tip of your index fingers. If your finger leaves an indentation on the fish, it is not likely to be fresh. You’ll become a pro in identifying a bad sushi place once you master this trick.

Freshness is important for both your health and your enjoyment of sushi. If you eat bad sushi, you may experience stomach pains, food poisoning, and even parasites. These illnesses are more common in children, so it is important to learn some sushi safety guidelines for parents. This will help keep both you and your child safe. These simple tips and tricks will ensure that your sushi stays fresh and is safe.

Sushi Inc. is a vibrant restaurant that offers what is considered the best sushi in St Pete. Opening its doors in 2013 and becoming a local staple by offering live music, traditional hand-rolled sushi, and a friendly atmosphere, our guests always have a top-notch experience. Customers love our award-winning, fresh, and creative Sushi rolls, Nigiri, and Sashimi. With a larger selection of tempura, non-sushi, and teriyaki options, we can accommodate every taste. Click here to make your reservation now!