Sushi Go Round!

When I first started telling people that we were going to Japan for our sabbatical, the most common follow-up question was, "Do you like fish?" No, I do not like fish. I try to like fish. I tried the catch-of-the-day on our honeymoon in St. Lucia, figuring that fresh fish from an island would be best. It was okay. I ate the salmon that John cooked on the a Big Green Egg, and it was fine; I even had seconds. But I would rather he cook steak. It's the texture, and the taste, and also my general confusion about how to eat shellfish. People seem flabbergasted that someone from NH doesn't like fish. Friends, take a moment to view a map of New England. The Granite State has about 13 miles of coastline. We are not Maine or the Cape. We are more baked beans and hot dogs. And freedom to ride in a car without seatbelts.

My distaste for fish is unfortunate for John who would probably list sushi as one of his favorite types of food. And I am passing my dislike of fish on to the girls since they never have it served at home and so aren't exposed to it.

But when in Japan ...

I learned about a sushi-go-round place that a friend told me had good options for picky kids (chicken and fries), which meant there would be options for me, too. Little did I know how much fun it would be to pick our sushi from the conveyor belt.

Unfortunately, we were at the end of the line, so some good stuff may have been snatched up before it made it to our table. It's just like when you realize you are standing at the wrong side of the baggage claim.

Thankfully, there was a menu with photos for identifying the odd things that went around. John said things like, "I think that's eel. Can you grab it?" And I said things like, "We should get another round of beer." I spent a lot of time looking at the menu, and just trying to identify what was passing by. It felt like a game show. 

                                     

The girls elected to try some sushi rice with egg. They ate the rice, and then we ordered them chicken tenders and fries. 

Maddox's chopstick skillz need a little work, but at least she tried! I was wondering what I might dare to eat, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but CHICKEN FRIED SUSHI!! That is what the menu called it, so I am embracing the oxymoron. 

It was yummy. I snagged a couple of plates. I even had another chicken "sushi" plate that had broiled chicken wrapped in seaweed, and I ate the seaweed, which I think qualifies as seafood. I did also have some battered fish. Again, not exactly sushi, but it's a start.

Intermingled with the sushi dishes were desserts. The girls had been eyeing their options, and Zoe did the honors of pulling it off the line. It really was fun. And I really am easily amused.

I am sure John is hoping to try a more authentic sushi joint at some point, and if we make a trip to the mainland, there may be more abundant options for that. If we head to another sushi-go-round, we know now that we can order additional things specifically for our table.  But for our first sushi adventure in Japan, it was a good time. 

At the end of it all, you stack up your plates and bowls (all color-coded for price) and the server comes around with a scanner and adds it all up. It looks like we did serious damage, but each plate is pretty cheap, so the bill was reasonable, especially when you consider the entertainment factor. 

Until the next go-round...