How Yakima Rolls: A Sushi Primer

That’s How Yakima Rolls: A Sushi Primer [slideshow id=39]

By Erick Peterson

Photos By Sara Gettys

When Molly Ringwald ate sushi in “The Breakfast Club,” it’s likely that the rest of the Western world joined Judd Nelson in asking, “What’s that?”

Now, 25 years later, we all know something about sushi. Even a visit to a concession stand at Seattle’s Safeco Field will bring you face to face with an “Ichiroll,” named after Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki.

Though now a household name (if not a household food), sushi still manages to surprise diners with both new tastes and old facts. For example, while most of us know about the California roll (and now the Ichiroll), many of us are unfamiliar with the Yakima roll. Newcomers to sushi may also feel confused when looking at a menu’s long list of sushi varieties or at the various condiments served with sushi.

What is sushi?

Sushi is a dish of rice and usually some sort of seafood. Seafood and vegetables can top the rice, or foods can be rolled together with the rice, such as what is done in a sushi roll. Salmon, tuna and avocado are among ingredients common in sushi. Seaweed is also common, used to band the other ingredients together, or even used as a cone for one type of sushi made as a ball.

When eating sushi, mix together a bit of wasabi and soy sauce in a small dipping bowl. Wasabi is the extremely spicy green condiment often served to the side of the plate. Thin slices of a pink pickled vegetable may also appear on the plate. It is called gari, and it is eaten at the end of the meal to clear the palate and help with digestion.

Sushi is distinct from sashimi — slices of raw fish served without rice.

The Yakima roll and other varieties

Sushi comes in many different forms and varieties. It is not unusual to see sushi dishes named after places, and of course the Yakima roll deserves special notice in our neck of the woods. The Yakima roll includes barbecued eel, avocado and cream cheese, topped with a special sauce. (Is this at a particular restaurant?)

Sushi trends

Sushi is a traditional food frequently served in a traditional manner, but it is also an adaptive food that has changed with the times and environment. Sushi can be cooked or uncooked. While it usually includes seafood, it might also include beef or no meat at all.

When we asked around for favorite local sushi, we found two restaurants that serve sushi in traditional and modern fashion — check them out to see for yourself. Although some will continue to find sushi strange and avoid it, remember “The Breakfast Club:” while Ringwald was eating sushi, Ally Sheedy was eating a sandwich made of pixie sticks and cereal. So no matter how weird food may seem, it can always get weirder.

Sushi restaurants locally

Two local favorite restaurants, Ozeki Japanese Restaurant and New York Teriyaki, provide an interesting contrast that shows some of the great diversity within sushi restaurants.

Ozeki Japanese Restaurant

With rice paper covering the windows, bowing service staff and pictures of sumo wrestlers and geisha on the walls, Ozeki is a portrait of relative traditionalism. As part of this traditionalism, there is a section in the restaurant that has lowered tables, as found in Japan. When in this section, a diner sits on the floor and rests his or her legs in a pit below the table. Wait staff serve on their knees to diners in this area.

People not accustomed to lowered tables will enjoy standard seating at tables elsewhere in the restaurant. There is also seating at the sushi bar, where one can watch the chef at work.

Low-key Japanese pop plays throughout the restaurant, helping to create a comfortable and serene environment. Patrons can enjoy a good drink menu, which includes domestic and imported wines and beers. High-quality Otokoyama sake and Sapporo beer are highly recommended.

An extensive food menu includes an interesting variety of salads (octopus, seaweed and Ozeki), noodles and items from the grill. For the raw-fish experience, you will want to choose from a wide selection of sashimi and sushi.

1527 Summitview Ave.
Yakima
509-834-4282

New York Teriyaki

Going into New York Teriyaki, you will not be greeted at the door with a bow and welcome in Japanese language, but the restaurant will treat you right with generous, tasty portions and a family-friendly environment.

Seating includes both a sushi bar and comfortable booths, where visitors can dine to the tune of classic American rock.

Above the sushi bar is a panoramic picture of New York City at night, but the food menu takes diners on a road trip that extends beyond the Big Apple. New York Teriyaki’s offerings include foods named after cities and states, from Alaskan rolls to New York rolls. Of regional interest are the Yakima rolls and Tri-City rolls. The volcano roll (baked salmon on top of a California roll with special sauce) is a top seller, according to a very helpful and attentive wait staff.

The menu also includes foods that will appeal to those who might not be as adventuresome: Hamburgers, sandwiches and even fish and chips are also available.    Those who enjoy sake will be happy to know that it is available, too.

822 N. First St.

Yakima

509-453-7500

Ingredients for sushi roll favorites

Yakima roll: BBQ eel, avocado, cream cheese

California roll: avocado, crab (or imitation), cucumber

Volcano roll: baked salmon, avocado, crab (or imitation), cucumber

Spider roll: fried crab (or imitation), cucumber, avocado, lettuce, mayonnaise

Philadelphia roll: smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber

Seattle roll: salmon, cucumber, avocado