Sushi
The Japanese Plot To Undermine the American Economy
Years ago, I worked in a Japanese restaurant. It wasn’t a bad place to work or a bad experience. In fact, as far as sushi places go, it’s probably one of the best place to go for sushi I’ve ever known and I also enjoyed working there. I was the bartender there for two years in the 1980’s.
It’s still there to this day and still gets great reviews.
Sushi restaurants are very slow in the late afternoons between lunch and dinnertime. Some even close between 2 and 5. So this would give me way too much time to think while I did my sidework. And, once my sidewalk was out of the way, I had nothing BUT time to sit and think. One day I got to thinking about how expensive sushi is. Which lead me to thinking that maybe sushi was a Japanese plot to destroy the American economy. Now before I go any further, let me just say for the record that this supposed to be an attempt at humor. I don’t seriously believe this. Nevertheless… well, think about it for a moment.
Everything in a Sushi bar is ala carte. So, let’s say you order Halibut. It’s like two thinly-sliced pieces of Halibut for $7.50. In fact, some places only give you one piece now. And sushi is mostly rice. Then they give you a little bowl to mix your dip. I mix in soy sauce, some ginger and a fair amount of wasabi which is that green Japanese horse radish, because I like it hot. On a side note… Once when I was bartending, I ate a big wad of wasabi on a dare and it burned so much, My eyes and nose were watering for hours. To this day, I still can’t seem to make it hot enough. My advice… don’t try it at home. Or anywhere. After dipping your sushi or sashimi in this mixture, they all end up tasting the same and your sinuses are on fire. A small beaker of saki to wash it down with is another 10 bucks. But trust me. you’ll need a lot of water, too.
And the rolls? Take a California roll. They set a little piece of seaweed down on a bamboo roller, slap on some precooked sushi rice. Some imitation (YES- IMITATION crab meat) a few little slivers of cucumber, a minuscule piece of avocado and BAM - six to eight pieced of Cali Maki - depending on how thick they slice it. The place I used to work used real crab mixed in with the imitation stuff. You could taste the difference That was in the 90’s. I haven’t found any place that uses any real crab meat any more.
By the time you’ve had you’re fill of sushi alone, you could easily spend 60 to 100 bucks.
Conversely, for $100 at an American seafood restaurant, you can have a bottle of wine, your choice of soup or salad (or both), an appetizer, and an entree with your choice of two sides, dessert and the tip. And the fish is usually offered steamed, baked or broiled to perfection. Served with melted butter and savory herbs and spices. Every item on the menu has a unique flavor that is not disguised by the dipping sauce or butter. More often than not, you have to take some with you in a to-go container and you have enough left over for lunch the next day.
And the American desserts? Usually a big piece of cheesecake or chocolate layer cake, or hot fudge sundae with a choice of toppings.
Japanese desert? A little scoop of green tea ice cream with an orange slice.
Well this all got me to thinking, there could only be one reason to get Americans so addicted to sushi - it’s a Japanese plot to undermine the American economy. So here’s are few secrets, to beating them at their own game.
1. Sit at the sushi bar, not at a table. Get to know the sushi chefs personally. Ask about their life. Ask questions about the sushi. Be sincere. They’ll often make you something for free to sample more than once.
2. If there is a regular bar, sit there. Same rules apply. If you get to know your bartender, over time, they’ll often comp you a drink or clue you in on the best way to order and leave satisfied.
3. Always start with a beer, a California Roll or (some type of roll) and some Miso Soup and house salad. This will help prevent you from over-ordering the sushi or sashimi and having to take out a loan to pay your bill.
4. Order the hot food like Chicken or shrimp teriyaki or shrimp tempura. Usually more filling and tasty - and less expensive. Also a lot more carbs, but oh so satisfying!
5.Tip in cash and make sure they see you do it. They pool their tips. Meaning, no matter who takes your order or serves you, they give ALL the tips to the sushi chefs and then the sushi chefs distribute it. They get most of it, even if you didn’t order the sushi. So, make sure the servers know you contributed to their share of the booty, if it’s a place that you plan to frequent.
Whether you enjoy Japanese or American cuisine, you can always find ways to avoid overpaying and still have a great dining experience. It’s…
Easy When You Know Hal
Years ago, I worked in a Japanese restaurant. It wasn’t a bad place to work or a bad experience. In fact, as far as sushi places go, it’s probably one of the best place to go for sushi I’ve ever known and I also enjoyed working there. I was the bartender there for two years in the 1980’s.
It’s still there to this day and still gets great reviews.
Sushi restaurants are very slow in the late afternoons between lunch and dinnertime. Some even close between 2 and 5. So this would give me way too much time to think while I did my sidework. And, once my sidewalk was out of the way, I had nothing BUT time to sit and think. One day I got to thinking about how expensive sushi is. Which lead me to thinking that maybe sushi was a Japanese plot to destroy the American economy. Now before I go any further, let me just say for the record that this supposed to be an attempt at humor. I don’t seriously believe this. Nevertheless… well, think about it for a moment.
Everything in a Sushi bar is ala carte. So, let’s say you order Halibut. It’s like two thinly-sliced pieces of Halibut for $7.50. In fact, some places only give you one piece now. And sushi is mostly rice. Then they give you a little bowl to mix your dip. I mix in soy sauce, some ginger and a fair amount of wasabi which is that green Japanese horse radish, because I like it hot. On a side note… Once when I was bartending, I ate a big wad of wasabi on a dare and it burned so much, My eyes and nose were watering for hours. To this day, I still can’t seem to make it hot enough. My advice… don’t try it at home. Or anywhere. After dipping your sushi or sashimi in this mixture, they all end up tasting the same and your sinuses are on fire. A small beaker of saki to wash it down with is another 10 bucks. But trust me. you’ll need a lot of water, too.
And the rolls? Take a California roll. They set a little piece of seaweed down on a bamboo roller, slap on some precooked sushi rice. Some imitation (YES- IMITATION crab meat) a few little slivers of cucumber, a minuscule piece of avocado and BAM - six to eight pieced of Cali Maki - depending on how thick they slice it. The place I used to work used real crab mixed in with the imitation stuff. You could taste the difference That was in the 90’s. I haven’t found any place that uses any real crab meat any more.
By the time you’ve had you’re fill of sushi alone, you could easily spend 60 to 100 bucks.
Conversely, for $100 at an American seafood restaurant, you can have a bottle of wine, your choice of soup or salad (or both), an appetizer, and an entree with your choice of two sides, dessert and the tip. And the fish is usually offered steamed, baked or broiled to perfection. Served with melted butter and savory herbs and spices. Every item on the menu has a unique flavor that is not disguised by the dipping sauce or butter. More often than not, you have to take some with you in a to-go container and you have enough left over for lunch the next day.
And the American desserts? Usually a big piece of cheesecake or chocolate layer cake, or hot fudge sundae with a choice of toppings.
Japanese desert? A little scoop of green tea ice cream with an orange slice.
Well this all got me to thinking, there could only be one reason to get Americans so addicted to sushi - it’s a Japanese plot to undermine the American economy. So here’s are few secrets, to beating them at their own game.
1. Sit at the sushi bar, not at a table. Get to know the sushi chefs personally. Ask about their life. Ask questions about the sushi. Be sincere. They’ll often make you something for free to sample more than once.
2. If there is a regular bar, sit there. Same rules apply. If you get to know your bartender, over time, they’ll often comp you a drink or clue you in on the best way to order and leave satisfied.
3. Always start with a beer, a California Roll or (some type of roll) and some Miso Soup and house salad. This will help prevent you from over-ordering the sushi or sashimi and having to take out a loan to pay your bill.
4. Order the hot food like Chicken or shrimp teriyaki or shrimp tempura. Usually more filling and tasty - and less expensive. Also a lot more carbs, but oh so satisfying!
5.Tip in cash and make sure they see you do it. They pool their tips. Meaning, no matter who takes your order or serves you, they give ALL the tips to the sushi chefs and then the sushi chefs distribute it. They get most of it, even if you didn’t order the sushi. So, make sure the servers know you contributed to their share of the booty, if it’s a place that you plan to frequent.
Whether you enjoy Japanese or American cuisine, you can always find ways to avoid overpaying and still have a great dining experience. It’s…
Easy When You Know Hal
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