Sushi Summer

This summer, we're turning the idea of picnic food on its head with a look at an unusual yet perfect picnic option. Light, refreshing sushi is a colorful choice for your cooler bag that's virtually fuss-free. It's also both easy to serve and easy to eat.

Make your picnic a stylish affair with charming disposable serveware, like that shown here from Sophistiplate. Several patterns and colors are available in the Gift Department.

Add fun foods from around the store to round out your sushi counter selections. Try Majans Bhuja Cracker Mix or wasabi peas from the Snack Aisle, Calamari Salad from the Seafood Counter, and gyoza-style dumplings, such as those available in the Sushi Case. Don't forget dessert! We recommend pastel-hued mochi (Japanese-inspired frozen ice cream treats) from Bubbies.

Maki

This is what Westerners commonly think of when they envision sushi. Maki, or sushi rolls, are made with cooked or raw fish or other seafood, rolled up inside seasoned sushi rice. They may also include vegetables, like cucumber, carrot and avocado, and are often wrapped with a nori (seaweed) wrapper. Rolls made without fish or seafood are also available.

Typically, nigiri is fish or seafood served atop a ball or mound of seasoned rice. The fish is often, but not always, served raw and is distinguished from maki in that it is not rolled.

Technically not sushi, sashimi is a simple yet elegant presentation of thinly sliced, usually raw, fish. Like maki and nigiri, it may be served with accompaniments like soy sauce, ponzu, pickled ginger, daikon radish and carrots. There is no rice element to sashimi. Find sashimi in our Seafood Department. 

Both sushi and poke (pronounced poh-kay) are often made with raw fish. But, unlike sushi, which is Japanese, poke is a Hawaiian tradition. The word "poke" refers to the cube-like cut of the fish, which is usually marinated in a flavorful sauce. It is popularly served in a poke bowl atop other common sushi ingredients, like rice and vegetables.

Order our Hawaiian Poke Bowl (pictured at right) and other sushi items for your next meeting, get-together or picnic!

A light and refreshing addition to any sushi menu, seaweed salad has a well-balanced flavor profile that's tart, salty, sweet and savory all at once.