SUSHI: Riversiders, this is the sushi head-to-head that you have been waiting for.
By Lily Mitchell, Staff Writer
We all have cravings for some seaweed-wrapped delectability. Luckily for you, here is a breakdown of three top sushi restaurants in Riverside, California. But, who has time for extensive comparisons of each and every ingredient? Instead, here they are based on general quality and the two big flavor categories: spicy and mild.
Quality is undoubtedly one of the most important factors in all food, but with sushi it sits at the forefront. The consumer should know that their raw, squishy goodness is in fact, goodness. These three titans in our world of Japanese delicacies are all outstanding, but there are slight differences in the perceived tastiness of ingredients. In ranking of goodness on a scale from 1 to 10, here they are:
- Sushi Asahi: 10/10
Riverside renowned, this restaurant is known for its lengthy wait times due to the delicious rolls served here. Raw or baked, everything here comes from the sushi bar and tastes extremely fresh. Sushi Asahi boasts rolls that are more ingredient-filled than rice stuffed — a true sign that they serve the good stuff and don’t skimp out. Don’t forget the diverse and innovative culture-mixing rolls like the “Mexican” that feature avocados and pickled jalapeno peppers. Sushi insider tip: exclusive fish can be asked for even if it is not presented on the menu; for example, you can ask for white tuna sushi (not a roll). If you have not yet tried sushi, Sushi Asahi is the perfect place to start. Make sure to come in a large group of people in order to have backup while you explore a wide variety of dishes.
2. Sushi Station: 8/10
Located in the strip of restaurants across from Martin Luther King High School, Sushi Station is highly comparable to Sushi Asahi. The menu contains larger size rolls with high quality cuts of fish used in the regular sushi. Many rolls at Sushi Station are similar in recipe to Sushi Asahi, however there are also a lot more fried dishes which can be tempting to those watching their diet. Overall, ingredients are still fairly high quality. In fact, if you sit at the sushi bar and ask about the cuts of the fish in your order, he will most likely tell you where it came from (belly, etc.). Important facts like these tie directly to flavor.
3. Oishii Sushi: 6/10
Located right around the corner from the Riverside Plaza, Oishii Sushi is delicious but does not have nearly as large of a variety on the menu. Oishii Sushi offers sushi in a flash minus the formal feel. The menu is easy to follow and contains a lot of the same kinds of more basic “special” rolls that Sushi Asahi and Sushi Station would have.
Now for the flavor side of things. As you know, sushi comes in all sizes, shapes and textures but, rolls land in either the mild or spicy (at least bold) category. At the three wonderful places above, exist some reliable staple rolls for people who live in both flavor worlds: the “Hawaiian” roll and the spicy tuna roll, which varies in name, but is called the “Red Dragon” roll at Sushi Asahi. If you are a tame eater, settle for the mild avocado-heavy “Hawaiian.” If you walk on the wild side, enjoy the fiery spicy tuna roll. No matter the place you choose, these are definitely highly recommended and have almost identical recipes at all restaurants.
So next time the sushi itch needs scratching, roll on over to any of these places to find your own bundles of seaweed-y love.