I crossed a threshold today.
You know the kind of people who are obsessed with sushi? It’s obnoxious how much they talk about it and eat it, mostly sprouting from lack luster joints. Likely floridity about some non-marine, fly over state, grassland grocery store deli counter.
Gross.
But today something happened to me. I live about 5 hours from the closest ocean. But today I ate at a new ‘sushi’ joint in the Inland Northwest – Umi Kitchen and Sushi Bar.
Fast forward – that “today” was about 2. 5 – 3 years ago. That is when Umi opened.
Today, today I have eaten there countless times, and I have tailored my repetitious menu as such:
2 orders of the salmon sashimi, 1 yellowtail belly nigiri, 2 fatty toro nigiri, 1 escolar nigiri. Complimented, of course, by soy, pickled ginger and house made wasabi paste.
The rolls are splendid. The lamb and veggie skewers are chargrilled. The hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) is worth the 20 min wait. The dry fried green beans are a spicy meal all on their own. The vegetable fried rice has a flavor dissimilar to anything I’ve tasted (‘rice’ wise).
Come hungry. Order some sake. Stay a while. Eat in batches. Eat innumerably. Order what I told you to. Come back for seconds and thirds. Tell your family.
The sushi threshold. It does exist. It has happened to me, and perhaps, even if you’re not coastal, it will happen to you.
Can’t get enough raw fish? Try Momosan in Seattle. Or Wynwood Kitchen and Bar in Miami.
You could also make my Ahi Niçoise Salad…
