<p>“Most sushi is raw, if not, they specify “smoked” or whatever.”</p>
<p>Some sushi seafoods are always served cooked, but the menu rarely notes this – you just have to know. For example, in the classic preparations you find all over the world, squid is served raw while octopus is boiled. Crab, lobster, and eel are also always cooked. Cooked is the default for shrimp, and “sweet shrimp” served raw are identified. Most mackerel for sushi is quick-cured in vinegar, like ceviche, though that is not noted on the menu either.</p>
<p>I was actually in the restaurant about a year ago when a health inspector was there during a busy lunch hour. There was some tension in the air (didn’t find out about it until after he left), but otherwise business as usual. The chefs did start wearing hats afterwards, though.</p>
<p>From what I could gather from the chef’s explanation, some of the non frozen fish may have been specially raised and others subjected to some sort of marinating process. Knowing him, I can guarantee he wasn’t violating any ordinances. Once, when I was visiting Texas, I was told to order a whole Aji fish and then have them fry the head, skin and bones after eating the sashimi. When I came back and told my chef about it, he explained to me why he couldn’t do it–the oil and deep fryer would get contaminated since the fish had already been on my plate. Knowing what I do about sterile technique, it made me shudder and resolve never to have it that way again, even though it was delicious.</p>
<p>Hanna,
I do not consume any on your list, I like only salmon. Maybe that is why I am not familiar. Sorry for confusion. I do not see any point for me to have sushi with cooked fish when you can do it much cheaper at home, but everybody is different. when we eat fish at home, it is also salmon. When we eat smoked fish, again, it is salmon most of the time although we might try others. Nothing compares to salmon taste wise for me, but it is a fishy fish and some people might not like “fishy”.</p>
<p>I’m convinced that my childhood in Africa with regular stomach upsets has strengthened my immune system - knock on wood - but I can’t remember the last time I was sick to my stomach. I eat sushi almost once a week.</p>
<p>^I am not sick ( knock on wood ) even on our long 2 week trips to Mexico every year, neither ever was my D. who went with us numerous times starting when she was 5 y o. I believe if you are careful, then you do not get sick. My D. as well as both grandkids started consuming sushi when they were 3 y o. All love it.<br>
None of us ever been to Africa or other exotic places, but my D. She said that during her last 4 weeks trip to very poor regions of Peru, she had discomforts which were much milder than other people had. She contributed it to her experience being in Mexico so many times and being much more careful. However, she consumed absolutely crazy things there, I do not want to mention, as they are so much crazier than very normal and world wide accepted sushi.</p>