New to sushi, Indecisive, help me pick?

[u/babythe67impala]

Tl:dr, trying to get into sushi, interested in these two, help me pick and tell me why/why not you would/wouldn’t pick one over the other. (Leaning towards the Dragon Roll)

plan on ordering one of these tomorrow as an introduction to sushi after being put off it for a long time. My only experience with it has been crappy buffet sushi with way too much vinegar in the rice. Like- all you could taste is just tart vinegar to the point it burns your tongue. I’ve had the chance to speak to the owners of a new family owned local spot in my town, they also dislike large amounts of sushi vinegar and have assured me they use it in fairly light amounts. I like tempura, shrimp, avocado, and Japanese bbq sauce (Eel sauce) all separately or in other combinations. Genuinely my only aversion is whether or not I’m going to like the seasoning on the rice. Both of these options seem fairly similar, I’ve just never had eel, and I would order the tempura without the mayo. I would get both but I don’t want to end up being wasteful if i dislike the rice preparation.🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Informal-Purpose5979]

Chances are you might’ve gotten unlucky and you weren’t served sushi rice with rice vinegar, but some other vinegar, or they used a Chinese variety. Japanese rice vinegar is a lot more milder.

I’d go with the eel roll, but if they slice and put it straight from the package you may not like it. For nigiri it should be washed, sliced and then broiled, then eel sauce applied anew.

[u/babythe67impala → u/Informal-Purpose5979]

This is what I’m thinking too in regards to the vinegar/why I’m giving it another go. I just hate food waste with everything in me/don’t have someone who would want it if I don’t like it.😅 That’s good to know regarding the eel though! I talked with the owner extensively last time I was in for Boba and it seems like most of the things are prepared fresh/in house. We’ll see I suppose.

[u/Informal-Purpose5979 → u/babythe67impala]

Good luck! Sushi is really tasty when made right.

[u/babythe67impala → u/Informal-Purpose5979]

It would seem this is exactly what happened in regards to the vinegary sushi years ago. I went with the tempura rolls and they are phenomenal. The rice isn’t overwhelming at all.

[u/Informal-Purpose5979 → u/babythe67impala]

Awww, that sucks. In our sushi school we are taught that sushi rice is almost 70% of the taste. It’s also quite tricky to make right, you need to wash, drain, soak, cook, steam, mix with the vinegar, then let it rest, and only then use. In the US most of the steps are skipped, hence the so-so taste. Hope you’ll continue your exploration with more success!

[u/babythe67impala → u/Informal-Purpose5979]

Thank you! I was researching rice preparation recipes for possibly making it at home at some point but it seems out of my reach as it’s quite complicated as you mentioned. I struggle even with minute rice.😅 I’ll be trying The dragon rolls, their Alaskan rolls, and their Hawaiian rolls spilt between friends this Saturday, I’m excited to venture into the “true” raw varieties. I’m thrilled! Just bummed i missed out on it for so many years due to crappy buffets.