As with many different cuisines, sushi is one type of food that sometimes gets bastardised along the way with strange local permutations
The Shiok Maki
Koh Grill & Sushi Bar has gained much traction since it unveiled the uniquely Singaporean Shiok Maki.
There are apparently two different versions of the Shiok Maki but one of them comprises a rice roll with avocado, unagi and aburi salmon topped with a cheesy mixture of mayonnaise and mentaiko (roe of pollock and cod) and tobiko (flying fish roe).
It looks helluva unorthodox but, apparently, many Singaporeans say it is truly “damn shiok”.
Nutella Banana Sushi
Coming out of the city that invented arrogance, crepes and baguettes, I was shocked to learn that this particular type of ‘sushi’ exists in Paris.
Sushi rice is wrapped in a thin egg omelette with Nutella hazelnut spread, and sometimes banana is added into the mix. Everything may taste good with Nutella but this is just bizarre.
Deep Fried Sushi?
How I think this sushi might have come about is cheap sushi chains trying to cut cost by frying less-than-fresh maki rolls in order to render them sellable.
But the trend seems to have taken off with many conveyer belt sushi places serving these “tempura sushi”. You tell us if this is weird.
California Roll
Obvious from its name, the California roll originated from the good ol’ US of A. Japanese chefs in the United States began to substitute avocado for fatty tuna.
They started placing the nori (seaweed sheets) on the inside of the roll as Americans did not like the seaweed on the outside.
Sushi Burrito
Yes, that’s right. Mexico meets Japan at Sushi Burrito, at 100AM. Actually, if you take a slightly different look at the sushi roll, it could be an Asian version of a Mexican burrito.
Sushi burritos are filled with rice and your choice of ingredients. Think of the place as an Asian “Subway”.
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