Sashimi vs. sushi quality



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Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or is
it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!

--

"Anti-Catholicism is the anti-Semitism of liberals."--Peter Viereck
 
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
> is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!

In short, the fresher the better for either; you cannot therefore say that "sashimi quality" is any
different from "sushi quality", and Gawd knows there are plenty of bad examples of both out there...

Bob M.
 
On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:48:26 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher
quality
>than used for sushi, or is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!

FYI We in Hawaii live relatively closely to Japan--and we have a lot of Japanese influence as a
result. The word <sashimi> means fresh raw fish. The word <sushi> means a roll of rice, with small
bits of tastes in the very middle and covered in black dried seaweed-nori. I know <sushi> has
evolved to become an even fancier thing with mayo, avocado, etc etc..... but its generic meaning is
as I described. I often stifle a grin when I see people further away from Japan that we are, use the
terms inter changeably. I agree with the post ahead of mine, you always only want the freshest fish
whether for sashimi or in sushi. aloha, Thunder http://www.smithfarms.com Farmers & Sellers of 100%
Kona Coffee & other Great Stuff
 
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:ui9Zb.587

> Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
> is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!

My understanding from my time working in Japan years ago is that 'sashimi' denotes only the fish,
whereas 'sushi' denotes the more formalized presentation, that may include rice, seaweed, etc.
Neither word is a qualitative indicator.
 
"smithfarms pure kona" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:eek:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:48:26 GMT, [email protected] wrote:
>
> >Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher
> quality
> >than used for sushi, or is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!
>
> FYI We in Hawaii live relatively closely to Japan--and we have a lot of Japanese influence as a
> result. The word <sashimi> means fresh raw fish. The word <sushi> means a roll of rice, with small
> bits of tastes in the very middle and covered in black dried seaweed-nori. I know <sushi> has
> evolved to become an even fancier thing with mayo, avocado, etc etc..... but its generic meaning
> is as I described. I often stifle a grin when I see people further away from Japan that we are,
> use the terms inter changeably. I agree with the post ahead of mine, you always only want the
> freshest fish whether for sashimi or in sushi. aloha, Thunder http://www.smithfarms.com Farmers &
> Sellers of 100% Kona Coffee & other Great Stuff

I'm drooling for fresh Ahi sashimi now, mahalo Thunder. May have to hit Foodland for a
block.........Yummmmmmmmmmmm! kili
 
"smithfarms pure kona" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:eek:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:48:26 GMT, [email protected] wrote:
>
> >Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher
> quality
> >than used for sushi, or is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!
>
> FYI We in Hawaii live relatively closely to Japan--and we have a lot of Japanese influence as a
> result. The word <sashimi> means fresh raw fish. The word <sushi> means a roll of rice, with small
> bits of tastes in the very middle and covered in black dried seaweed-nori.

That's not quite correct. The term sushi refers specifically to the vinegared rice. It may be served
in a roll as you describe, but there are many other ways of serving it.

--
Peter Aitken

Remove the **** from my email address before using.
 
"John Gaquin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message news:ui9Zb.587
>
> > Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
> > is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!
>
> My understanding from my time working in Japan years ago is that
'sashimi'
> denotes only the fish, whereas 'sushi' denotes the more formalized presentation, that may include
> rice, seaweed, etc. Neither word is a qualitative indicator.
>
>

"Sushi" refers specifically to the vinegared rice. You cannot have sushi without rice.

--
Peter Aitken

Remove the **** from my email address before using.
 
"smithfarms pure kona" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:eek:[email protected]...
>
> FYI We in Hawaii live relatively closely to Japan--and we have a lot of Japanese influence as a
> result. The word <sashimi> means fresh raw fish. The word <sushi> means a roll of rice, with small
> bits of tastes in the very middle and covered in black dried seaweed-nori.

That type of sushi (rolled with nori on the outside, cylindrical in shape) is specifically called
maki-zushi. The kind you roll yourself (nori on the outside, conical in shape) is te-maki-zushi. The
kind that most people think of as sushi (rice on the bottom, a bit of wasabi, fish/egg/whatever on
top) is nigiri-zushi (except for ikura or uni, which has nori on the outside, but is not rolled like
maki-zushi). Futomaki-zushi is long, wide maki-zushi that is not sliced. Then there's chirashi-zushi
which is a whole other topic (imo).

As for the word 'sushi', the actual kanji (Chinese characters) has nothing to do with fish or rice
at all. IIRC, the character usually used for 'su' commonly means 'longevity' and I can't remember
what 'shi' means, but not rice or fish or vinegar. There are other variations for writing 'sushi'
which do involve 'fish' in the meaning, but not the most commonly seen one (which is at the bottom
of http://member.nifty.ne.jp/maryy/eng/sushi_kanji.htm ). The kanji for sashimi has nothing to do
with fish, either. The best site I've seen with definitions of different types of sushi and sashimi
is at http://www.4japan.info/Food%20-%20sushi.htm . You may have to go to www.4japan.info first,
then click on food, then sushi/sashimi.

rona
--
***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***
 
On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 19:09:43 -0500, "John Gaquin"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
><[email protected]> wrote in message news:ui9Zb.587
>
>> Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher
quality
>> than used for sushi, or is it just cut differently and served
without
>> rice? Thanks!
>
>My understanding from my time working in Japan years ago is that
'sashimi'
>denotes only the fish, whereas 'sushi' denotes the more formalized presentation, that may include
>rice, seaweed, etc. Neither word is a qualitative indicator.
>

We agree on the common words:) indeed. aloha, Thunder http://www.smithfarms.com Farmers & Sellers of
100% Kona Coffee & other Great Stuff
 
[email protected] wrote:

> Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
> is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!
>
In all sushi bars that I visit in Seattle, quality is same (cut from same fish). Just cut
differently.
--
Alan

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might bet-
ter stay home."
-- James Michener
 
On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:48:26 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or is
>it just cut differently and served without rice?

No and yes. So-called 'sushi grade' has about the same significance as 'organic' used to. It simply
means either very fresh or very quickly frozen after catching. Since sashimi is raw fish, and sushi
often *includes* raw fish, you want the highest quality possible for both.
 
"Frogleg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:48:26 GMT, [email protected] wrote:
>
> >Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
> >is it just cut differently and served without rice?
>
> No and yes. So-called 'sushi grade' has about the same significance as 'organic' used to. It
> simply means either very fresh or very quickly frozen after catching. Since sashimi is raw fish,
> and sushi often *includes* raw fish, you want the highest quality possible for both.

But there is a specific cut of the fish that's used for sushi and sashimi. For instance, you
wouldn't want to use the stringy belly of an Ahi for sashimi and you also don't want to use the dark
dark blood red part of the fish. You want the cleanest, clearest part, sliced just *so* thin. It
melts in your mouth then. No need fo' chew!

kili
 
"John Gaquin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message news:ui9Zb.587
>
> > Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
> > is it just cut differently and served without rice? Thanks!
>
> My understanding from my time working in Japan years ago is that
'sashimi'
> denotes only the fish, whereas 'sushi' denotes the more formalized presentation, that may include
> rice, seaweed, etc. Neither word is a qualitative indicator.

Not quite. In terms of how the words themselves are distinguished, "sashimi" refers to raw fish,
served by itself. "Sushi" actually has nothing to do with whether or not there is fish in the dish,
but rather means that it is based on a particular sort of vinegared rice. Raw fish IS a popular
sushi ingredient, but it's hardly the only sort of thing served as "sushi."

Bob M.
 
Original mean of "su" is vinegar. "Susi" is an Japanese classic word (adjective) that mean
sour or acid.

"Rona Yuthasastrakosol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> As for the word 'sushi', the actual kanji (Chinese characters) has nothing to do with fish or rice
> at all. IIRC, the character usually used for 'su' commonly means 'longevity' and I can't remember
> what 'shi' means, but not rice or fish or vinegar. There are other variations for writing 'sushi'
 
"chyabo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Original mean of "su" is vinegar. "Susi" is an Japanese classic word (adjective) that mean sour
> or acid.
>

One meaning of 'su' is vinegar, but the kanji most commonly used for 'sushi' does not mean vinegar.
The 'su' kanji that is part of 'su-shi', iirc, is kotobuki. It means longevity, as you probably
know. Here's the kanji to which I am referring
http://www.gahoh.com/movie/jouyoukanji/jou_07kaku/ju3C77.html .

rona

--
***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***
 
"John Gaquin" <[email protected]> wrote:

> 'sushi' denotes the more formalized presentation, that may include rice, seaweed, etc.

I, as a Japanese, feel it a quite interesting understanding. The English term "sushi" means "Edomae-
zushi", "Nigiri-zushi". Its originated ralatively recent, in Edo-era. Initially, "sushi" was a fast
food like McDonald hanburger or hot-dog. No conservative Japanese restaurant in Kyoto serve "suishi"
as formal presentation.
 
In article <[email protected]>,
"SB" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "John Gaquin" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> > 'sushi' denotes the more formalized presentation, that may include rice, seaweed, etc.
>
> I, as a Japanese, feel it a quite interesting understanding. The English term "sushi" means "Edomae-
> zushi", "Nigiri-zushi". Its originated ralatively recent, in Edo-era. Initially, "sushi" was a
> fast food like McDonald hanburger or hot-dog. No conservative Japanese restaurant in Kyoto serve
> "suishi" as formal presentation.
>

Wow, this is funny. ;-) My papasan spent 4 years in Japan when he was in the air force... He's told
me many times that he found the term "sushi" amusing because it meant "fast food"...

He taught me to adore Sashimi but damn it's expensive!

--
Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katra at centurytel dot net>,,<
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra
 
On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 13:21:43 GMT, "kilikini"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:48:26 GMT, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>> >Is the fish used for sashimi by definition (or usually) a higher quality than used for sushi, or
>> >is it just cut differently and served without rice?

>But there is a specific cut of the fish that's used for sushi and sashimi. For instance, you
>wouldn't want to use the stringy belly of an Ahi for sashimi and you also don't want to use the
>dark dark blood red part of the fish. You want the cleanest, clearest part, sliced just *so* thin.
>It melts in your mouth then. No need fo' chew!

The OP was asking if there was one *quality* of fish used for sushi and another for sashimi. I
pointed out they both were composed (in part, in the case of sushi) raw fish, and that the same
quality would be desirable for both preparations. Or lack of. :) I believe the question he raised
with regard to "cut" wasn't asking about if these were cut from different parts of the fish, but
what shape/size the pieces for the final product were. I could be wrong.
 
"Rona Yuthasastrakosol" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "chyabo" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > Original mean of "su" is vinegar. "Susi" is an Japanese classic word (adjective) that mean sour
> > or acid.
> >
>
> One meaning of 'su' is vinegar, but the kanji most commonly used for 'sushi' does not mean
> vinegar. The 'su' kanji that is part of 'su-shi', iirc, is kotobuki. It means longevity, as you
> probably know. Here's the kanji to which I am referring
> http://www.gahoh.com/movie/jouyoukanji/jou_07kaku/ju3C77.html .

That Kanji character is a phonetic equivalent.
 
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