How I got my share of Sushi

 

Thanks to Jaigaru, ohhh I mean Jaiganesh, I got a chance to explore a new cuisine last week. I being a Curry lover have always kept myself away from the “dry” Japanese food. Colorful Sushi has always appealed me but I never got the courage or the company to enjoy it. Fortunately last week, we went to this place called Aoi with lots of hope and expectation. Jai liked Japanese food and he was the one who encouraged me to try it out that day. So we entered this very Japanese looking restaurant and the ambience was filled with that typical seafood smell. There were posters of traditional Japanese village and some underwater creatures. The restaurant employees were dressed traditionally with lovely looking Kimono.

We started by ordering hot Sake which was a pleasant surprise as I was drinking hot wine for the first time. With the help of an attendant we decided to order California Maki and Shiitake mushroom Maki. It was exactly what I have been observing people eat for many years. How could this experience end without any surprises and that also a pleasant one? With our Maki there was a small tiny mountain of some green paste. I was already warned by Jai about the deadly potential of that paste. So I just applied a minuscule amount to my roll and engulfed it. The effect was instantaneous. I could feel the tangy sensation rising from my mouth to forehead. It brought some water from my eyes too. This was the “strongest” spice I have ever tried in my life. It showed its effect in a fraction of second. Later we discovered it was called Wasabi.

Then we tried some noodles which were served in a huge bowl containing few noodles, vegetables and sprouts. At first it looked very dull and boring but after adding some Japanese spices it tasted interesting. It was good to try very distinct spices (and sauces) which were vastly different from Indian spices. At the end we were given a small bowl of pineapple and papaya which was very soothing.

We left the place fully satisfied and without overeating (something that happens to me always). To add the finishing touch to this beautiful meal we went to Starbucks for its heavenly coffee. After the coffee we headed for a movie (Wake Up Sid) which was a disaster. The movie was pathetic but the comments that we friends passed throughout the movie and a constant background sound of a mysterious baby kept us entertained.

This evening just made me realize that it is always a good idea to challenge your beliefs. You will either make it stronger or end up giving it up as it was just a prejudice.

Do share the experience of reading this blog by leaving a comment to this post. It is the only way for me to improve.

Cheers,

-Jimy Shah

Live 2 Eat, don’t Eat 2 Live!