The Iconic Wasabi and Sushi

Few culinary pairings are as iconic as puzzling wasabi and sushi. When they get together, they conjure up a flavor and sensation balance that has usually been the staple of Japanese dining and is now a favorite experience worldwide. Sushi is fresh in terms of fish, rice, and the delicate ingredients; wasabi gives it a fiery kick that holds the flavors but never overwhelms them with brightness.

What Is Wasabi?

Authentic wasabi comes from the same plant as the wasabi, which is rare and notoriously considered one of the most difficult crops to cultivate. It has that sharp and fleeting spice on the tongue, like frostbite on the palate, heated in an instant, but not at all like chili peppers, whose burn remains. But most of the wasabi served at restaurants is made of horseradish, mustard, and green coloring-an easy alternative that still packs the trademark zing.

Serves an Additional Purpose

More than a flavor enhancer, wasabi-and-sushi serves an additional purpose. In fact, it is valued for the bacteria-fighting properties it brings; thus, it is a good companion to raw flesh. Chefs will frequently place a little dab between fish and rice when making nigiri, creating a subtle layer between flavors, which may be added to soy sauce for dipping-anathema to purists-who consider that it hides the subtle tastes of both wasabi and sushi.

Keeping the art of balance is crucial. Using too much will overpower dainty fish, while not enough might leave the sushi feeling unfinished. At the right moments, it cuts through the richness of fatty tuna, sweetens the shrimp, and elevates the umami of salmon.

More Than Taste

Wasabi makes up part of that experience, making sushi so different. It wakes up the mouth, clears the senses, and makes every benediction dynamic.

In many ways, wasabi and sushi depict the typical contrast found in food: subtlety with intensity, coolness with heat, and tradition with creativity. This duo still mesmerizes all diners everywhere.

This post was written by a professional at Suhi Inc. Sushi Inc. is a vibrant restaurant that offers what is considered the best  sushi St Pete. Opening its doors in 2013 and becoming a local staple by offering live music, traditional hand-rolled sushi and a friendly atmosphere, our guests always have a top notch experience. Customers love our award-winning, fresh and creative Sushi rolls, Nigiri, and Sashimi. With a larger selection of tempura, non-Sushi, and teriyaki options, we can accommodate every taste.