I am severely of two minds about a concept I just became aware of earlier today. I was watching streaming episodes of Grey’s Anatomy with Sister Erin, and one of the characters mentioned a ‘Sushi Burrito’…
So… Erin says, “You ever hear of that?” My brain had already stopped in its tracks. “I mean,” Erin clarifies, thinking I didn’t understand the question. “Is that, like, a real ‘thing’?”
“Haven’t the foggiest,” I finally replied, playing for time. And opened a new tab in my browser…
It IS a real ‘thing’…
We were both surprised – if not shocked – to discover that the Sushi Burrito is actually a real dish that’s been the sub-ject of a lot of chatter.
But even Erin, the sushi-phile in our household, was unaware of it until now. Just goes to show what happens when you don’t hang out with what we used to call the ‘hip’ crowd…
What it is…
Also called a ‘Sushirrito’, the thing is essentially a large dose of classic sushi components rolled up in a huge sheet of nori like a classic burrito. Some observers say the mashup was inevitable. Others say it should never have happened.
Wikipedia describes it as, “a type of Japanese-Mexican fusion cuisine […] a form of American cuisine inspired by the mixture of Mexican and Japanese cuisine, but is not considered to be authentic to either.” In fact, the Japanese authority that regulates what can be legally be called sushi declined the Sushi Burrito’s petition to be recognized officially as sushi. Burrito purists have also disowned the mashup as unauthentic.
The dish was described in GQ as an ‘oversized Maki Roll‘.
Nevertheless…
It is reliably reported that the sushi burrito was created in 2008 by Peter Yen, chef-owner of the San Francisco fast casual restaurant Sushirrito. Since then, the dish has exploded in popularity among the foodie set, and is available in a variety of sushi and burrito spots in the US.
But reviews have been mixed. At least a few foodies have pooh-poohed the dish. Josh Scherer of the Los Angeles Times admitted the sushi burrito was a genuine food trend, not just a fad. But he gave the eating experience thumbs down, and criticised the lack of authenticity of the dish.
Variations…
The ‘classic’ sushi burrito – if there can be said to be such a thing – uses classic sushi ingredients: nori, sticky rice, a hot sauce or paste, and “fresh crunchy veggies like cucumber, […] carrots or daikon, greens, grated cabbage, grated beets, bell pepper strips, radishes, avocado, and microgreens.”
But some cantinas, sushi spots and food trucks that serve them also offer versions mixing Japanese and Mexican ingredients, some wrapping their creations in Mexican flour tortillas.
Our take
As I mentioned previously, I’m not the Sushi fan at our house. But having heard the evidence, I’ve formed a firm opinion. I feel, strongly, that the sushi burrito has no right to exist in a sane world.
Sushi aficionado Erin, however, has a few choice observations to share. First, it sounds like a fine idea. But much depends on how well its executed. Second, it’s a big hunk of food, and the diameter of the thing, as pictured on online photos, would make it hard to eat without spilling rice and other small ingredients all over the place.
Finally… If you can get good sushi from an authentic, fresh source – why bother with something like a sushi burriro in the first place?
I rest my case…
~ Maggie J.