Sushi can be made with a variety of different types of ingredients. But of course, one of the most important ingredients in a good piece of sushi is high-quality fish. Unfortunately, not many people know where to find good quality sushi fish. In this article, we will provide some tips on where to buy sushi grade fish for your next meal!
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What is “sushi grade” fish?
Sushi grade fish is any type of fish that is deemed safe for raw consumption by humans. This means that the fish has been cleaned and inspected for any harmful toxins or parasites. Sushi grade fish is important for sushi because it ensures that the sushi will be safe to eat and will taste good.
But here’s the thing: there is no actual “grade” for sushi. Meaning, there’s no central body or organization that marks fish as sushi grade or not. That’s not to say that there aren’t different quality levels, it’s just that it’s not black and white, so you need to be informed.
Also, if you are making sushi at home yourself, buying sushi grade fish will ensure that the fish is safe to eat. Sushi grade fish should not have any bad smell; it should be extremely fresh.
Photo by Stefan Schauberger on Unsplash
Determining the grade of fish
While finding sushi grade fish can be difficult, it generally depends on which part of the world you are from. For example, in Japan, there are different grades for each type of fish, each with a different name.
If you are buying fish to make sushi at home, be sure to check what the recommended types of fish are for your area or country and then try to find them. These are not always easy to find but you might need to fish around a bit to get the best fish for your sushi.
If you are buying your fish at a seafood market or from a quality local fishmonger, ask for an extra piece of fish for your inspection.
Check your local supermarket’s freezer section, as many supermarkets now carry sushi-grade fish that is sold in vacuum-sealed bags. These are usually reasonably priced and can provide an easy way to make home sushi without having to go out of your way to get sushi grade fish.
Overall, the best place to buy good quality sushi grade fish depends on where you live and what types of fish are popular in your area. One thing is for sure: if you want good tasting sushi, make sure you use good quality ingredients!
How can you tell if a piece of fish is sushi grade or not?
One way to determine if a piece of fish is “sushi grade” is to look at its color. For example, sushi grade tuna should be a bright red or pink color, as this indicates that the fish has been properly cleaned and inspected.
In addition, you can smell the fish to see if it has a strong seafood smell. If the fish doesn’t smell like seafood, but has more of a sour note, then it’s likely not a good candidate for sushi.
Finally, and only if it’s passed the previous two tests, you can also taste the fish to see if it has a sour taste. A sour taste is often indicative of spoilage, so if the fish tastes sour, then it’s best to avoid eating it. How long sushi lasts depends on a lot of factors, so it’s best to be careful.
Places to buy the best sushi grade fish
Many people don’t know where to buy sushi grade fish. Here are a few of the best places to look for high quality sushi grade fish!
The best places to buy sushi grade fish include:
- Fresh markets and local fishmongers (markets that sell fresh seafood)
- Fish markets (markets that only sell fish; often located in fishing areas, but can also be located near food markets)
- Supermarkets (especially international food stores)
- Online seafood delivery (these are shipped frozen and there are a lot of options these days)
In order to find good quality sushi grade fish, you should visit a local sushi restaurant or seafood market first — ask the sushi chef or manager where you can get great local fish. Sometimes, these places will have a variety of different types of sushi grade fish available for purchase as well.
Local seafood retailers
The best thing you can do when searching for sushi grade seafood is to check what is available locally first. Fresh markets and fishmongers, fish markets and supermarkets.
If you’re in a large city (especially by the coasts, but anything with a decent-sized airport), then chances are you have access to sushi grade fish from a fresh market or fish market, within driving distance. For example, in Miami, you can head to Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Market and, in Seattle, head to Pike Place Fish Market.
If you only have supermarkets nearby, some of the big brand retailers now have high quality fish that could be used for sushi-making at home. These days, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Costco and Target may have fish that’s sashimi grade in stock near you.
Online seafood delivery
In addition to buying fish from a local sushi restaurant or seafood market, you can also try purchasing your fish online. There are a number of different websites that sell various types of sushi grade fish.
Whether you’re looking for a place to buy sushi grade fish from a local vendor or from an online supplier, be sure to visit one of these businesses or websites in order to get your sushi fix. With good quality fish, you can create the perfect piece of sushi for any occasion!
If you are buying fish for your next meal of sushi, look for a seller who has good ratings and many positive reviews online. If possible, try to watch the fish be removed from the water and inspected before you buy it.
If you are buying seafood online, there are other reputable websites that sell sushi grade fish and deliver it frozen, right to your door.
1. Sea 2 Table
Sea2Table offers the best seafood from every coast of the United States and delivers it right to your door. This includes black cod and salmon from Alaska, dover sole from the Pacific Northwest and albacore tuna from South Carolina. If you’re looking for an online seafood delivery company with responsibly caught healthy seafood that’s flash-frozen at peak freshness, give Sea 2 Table a shot.
2. Sizzlefish
Another online seafood delivery company is Sizzlefish. They have 30 years of experience sourcing, preparing, and packaging seafood for clients around the country. They aim for top quality fish, most of which is wild caught, and deliver fresh fish to your home.
3. Catalina Offshore Products
One website that is well known for selling good quality sushi fish is Catalina Offshore Products. This website carries a variety of different fish, including salmon, tuna, hamachi and yellowfin. Thanks to the high quality seafood available on this site, Catalina has earned its reputation as one of the best online sushi supply stores. Birthed in 1970s and focused on sustainability, Catalina is a great option for buying sushi grade fish online and having it delivered frozen to your home.
4. Fulton Fish Market
Opened in 1822, New York City’s Fulton Fish Market is one of the oldest fish markets in the United States. Well before the Brooklyn Bridge was even built, the market at South Street Seaport thrived. In 2005 the market relocated to its new home in the Hunts Point Bronx “Food Hive”. The new 400,000-square-foot market sees up to two million pounds of fresh seafood arrive every day, making it the second largest fish market in the world (after Tokyo). Now customers across the US can access the world’s best seafood – hand-selected by the most trusted experts in the business – all from the comfort of their own home.
Tips for preparing sushi grade fish at home
If you want to make your own sushi at home, then you’ll need to use some sushi grade fish. Here are a few tips for preparing sushi grade fish at home!
Photo by Caroline Attwood on Unsplash
When preparing sushi grade fish, make sure you use a sharp and long knife. The slicing should be done on a cutting board that is slightly wet to prevent the rice from sticking. Make sure to cut straight down into the fish for each slice! Cutting at an angle will result in rough edges which do not look appetizing. After washing your knife, cutting board, and hands it is okay to cut the fish on the same cutting board.
Cut away small bones with fine tweezers so that they don’t get in between your teeth while eating sushi or sashimi! If you notice any blood lines in the sushi grade fish after slicing, then you can cut these out with a sharp knife.
When preparing sushi grade fish, it is okay to use your hands! Just try not to touch the cut edges so that you don’t contract any bacteria. After cutting, wash your hands with soap and lightly pat them dry with a paper towel. The rice should be lightly moistened so that it sticks together well. It is also okay to use your fingers for this!
When preparing frozen sushi grade fish, remember to thaw it out completely before doing getting started.
Conclusion
Now that you know where to buy sushi grade fish, as well as how to prepare it, it’s time to break out the knives! In this article, we’ve shared a few tips on how to make the perfect piece of sushi at home. With good quality sushi grade fish and these simple preparation tips, you’ll be able to create delicious sushi for any occasion.
Andre Alexander
Andre tried sushi when he was 12 and was hooked. He studied Japanese in high school and was good enough to earn a free trip to Japan… unsurprisingly, he remembers none of it decades later! As a diving enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for marine life and sustainability efforts.
