j a m s h a i d’s blog

Here is a good brief article about Sushi origins from Gulf News Notes.

A simple word that gets mouths watering. Some people may not particularly enjoy eating it, but when you like it, you love it! 

Today sushi is almost synonymous with Japanese cuisine. 

It is common to describe sushi as raw fish when in fact it is a combination of rice flavoured with sweet vinegar and other ingredients such as seafood and vegetables. 

With a history that goes back to prehistoric times, sushi has taken on different variations from the basic staple such as tuna and vinegared rice wrapped in crisp vitamin-rich Nori seaweed to an elegant dish served during festive occasions. 

Nare-zushi 
Sushi originated in the 4th century BC in Southeast Asia. Fish was kept in rice, which would ferment and help preserve the fish. This was the first type of sushi called nare-zushi. The fish was taken out after a few months and the rice discarded.

Seisei-zushi
Sushi was eventually introduced in Japan in the 8th century AD. The Japanese ate the fish along with the rice. Sushi then became more of a dish and not just a way to preserve food. 

Hako-sushi (also Haya- sushi) 
Unique to Japanese culture of the 18th and 19th centuries, the elaborate tradition of serving sushi in a box began in order to make it more decorative. 

Nigiri-Sushi (also Edomae- zushi):
In the beginning of the 19th century, Tokyo created Nigiri Sushi, always served in pairs, made using pillows of vinegar seasoned rice topped with wasabi and a thin slice of seafood. 

Maki-sushi
Originating in the 18th century and made as a type of quick and easy finger food, maki sushi is rolled sushi with narrow strips of any ingredient such as seafood, vegetables or pickles, placed in the centre of some rice and wrapped in a sheet of nori.

Looking for Sushi Restaurants in UAE, here are some recommended ones:

The following sushi restaurants…
Tokyo @ the Towers
Bamboo Lagoon – JW Marriott (our choice)
Benihana – Al Bustan Rotana Hotel
Soba – Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi