Originally associated as being fermented raw fish and rice preserved in salt, sushi has undergone many alterations from the bitter tasting recipes of second century Southeast Asia. Sushi literally translated means sour, but it is not the fish that sour refers to, it is the fermented rice that is used to preserve the fish. The fermenting process of the rice breaks down the amino acids of the fish resulting in one of five different flavors.
Modern day sushi is a far cry from the original versions of sushi is very different from the dishes of bygone days. Around the fourteenth century vinegar was added to the fermentation process, improving the taste and decreasing fermentation time. The eventual abandonment of fermentation gave way to the practice of pressing the fish and rice in a bamboo mold, which became a mainstream dish in Tokyo in the late 1700s.
Prepared quickly and without the need of fermentation, modern day sushi is the original fast food. Throughout Tokyo, street vendors could prepare sushi that customers could eat with their hands by the roadside or in the theatre. Today sushi restaurants can be found scattered across the globe. Made popular on the west coast of the United States, sushi restaurants can be found in every major city in the country.
Western Sushi is the most popular of the seven varieties of the dish. Developed to suit the western palate, this type of sushi is very different than what you would find in Japan. The California Roll for example was invented in, well California, and has given way to many of the rolled sushi delicacies that are enjoyed by restaurant goers across the country. Sushi can include many combinations of foods and is no longer limited to fish.
Beef and chicken have also been included on the sushi menu along with scallops, cheeses, vegetables, and of course a choice of brown, black or white rice. Seaweed is often used in the preparation of sushi to wrap the layers of meat and rice adding to the flavor as well as the beautiful presentation of the meal.
For the adventurous palate there is a variety of offerings to choose from when ordering sushi, including octopus, eel, sea urchin, oysters, salmon, tuna, tofu, crab and fish eggs, all of which when prepared to perfection by skilled sushi chefs make for delicious meal that is pleasing to both the eye and the palate.
Mas Sake Freestyle Sushi (http://massake.com) is a San Francisco sushi restaurant where you can find all your favorite San Francisco sushi. Art Gib is a freelance writer.