Forget meat for a second! Mzansi has been developing a surprising love affair with sushi. This traditional Japanese dish has won over the hearts and taste buds of many South Africans who have considered it a healthy addition to their diets.
Sushi is believed to have originated in Japan as a way to preserve fish by fermenting it in rice. The fermentation process allowed the fish to be stored for longer periods. Sushi then evolved to incorporate fresh fish and various ingredients, becoming the popular dish enjoyed with chopsticks and soy sauce we know today.
‘Like the fresh flavours’
Vuyo Ngutshana from Alberton in Gauteng shares that he enjoys the fresh and unique flavours of sushi, the variety of options available, the artistic presentation of the dishes, the social aspect of sharing sushi with others, and the overall dining experience.
“The combination of fresh fish, rice, seaweed, and other ingredients creates a balanced and flavorful bite that I find delicious and satisfying. Additionally, I’m a gym freak, so sushi is a good source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall health,” he says.
“I did, however, experience diarrhoea after eating it because raw foods may contain bacteria, but it was nothing serious.”
Thembeka Mkhize, from Durban, says she enjoys the raw taste of the ocean and the different layered textures that amalgamate in her mouth when eating sushi.
“I enjoy the variety of flavours and types of sushi that are available to experiment with. I haven’t experienced any drawbacks from eating sushi, and I think the benefits of sushi outweigh the drawbacks because I’ve found that even though I do get full and satisfied, my stomach does feel less bloated and lighter,” she says.
Good protein source
For Lwandle Shamase from Johannesburg, sushi has a satisfying taste, especially with the combination of rice and soy sauce.
“Anyone who doesn’t eat sushi is missing out. It is perfect and can improve stomach health, and all the other benefits of eating fish in general, like being a good source of vitamins and protein.”
Lwandle Shamase
Mpumalanga nutritionist Lize Mkhonto says many of the ingredients commonly found in sushi can help you maintain long-term health and prevent diseases.
“Sushi is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and is a rich source of nutrients and minerals, including vitamin D. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and iron,” she explains.
“Fish, for example, contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help fight conditions like heart disease and stroke. Research has suggested that eating sushi may boost everything from gut health to thyroid and immune function.”
However, she points out that the drawbacks of consuming sushi include that it has white rice, which is a refined carbohydrate, and sushi generally has a high salt content. She adds that the raw fish in sushi can also pose some health risks.
“Raw fish can be a source of bacteria or parasites, including tapeworms and salmonella.”
Nutritionist Lize Mkhonto
“Although raw fish is frozen before storage to help kill bacteria, there’s no guarantee that the raw fish in your sushi is contaminant-free. Eating raw fish is associated with a higher risk of parasitic infections and food poisoning.” she explains.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal and health factors, it is important to choose sushi options wisely to ensure a balanced and healthy dining experience.
Sushi in the kasi
Making sushi fashionable in kasi communities, the owner of Johnitto’s Sushi, Tshepiso Mahika, who has a mobile sushi bar currently based in Soweto, shares a recipe to explore by making homemade sushi.
“I started my business, Johnitto’s Sushi by Mahika, in 2018. The vision behind it was to educate people that sushi is not necessarily raw fish, so I wanted to end that stigma around sushi.
“People from my community always saw sushi as something bizarre but as time passed, they started being comfortable eating it because of how I introduced it to them. Over the years, I have been able to transform many into sushi lovers because of my love for sushi and passion for teaching others.”
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Sushi Rolls
Ingredients
- Sushi rice
- Roasted seaweed
- Salmon sashimi
- Surimi
- Sesame seeds
- Japanese mayo
- Avocado
- Bamboo mat
Instructions
1. Lay the sushi rice on one side of the seaweed then turn the rice-seaweed layer upside down (Seaweed faces up laying on the rice).
2. Place a slice of avocado, salmon sashimi, and surimi on the rice seaweed layer.
3. Use a bamboo mat to roll the sushi roll into a round shape.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds on the sushi roll, then cut into equal pieces of sushi.
