Sushi Roll History: The Evolution of the Sushi Roll in America

How America Popularized the Sushi Roll.

When sushi first landed in the US, Americans could not fathom eating raw fish. Today, sushi is one of the most craved meals in America. Learn the sushi roll history in American including the histories of the California Roll and the Spicy Sushi Roll:

Sushi in America & the Sushi Roll History

Sushi in America took decades for Americans to accept and appreciate. In fact, the first sushi restaurant in American located in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles barely had local customer. Rather, it was the Japanese immigrants who flocked to the restaurant.

Eventually from the 1960s through 1980s, more young Japanese chefs moved to the US, particular LA and New York, to open up Japanese restaurants and tried their hand at non-traditional techniques.

In 1970s, the country saw a promotion for a fish-focused diet for better health which helped lead Americans to sushi. Plus, the 70s and 80s brought over many Japanese businesses because of Japan’s economic boom. As such, these Japanese craved their own cuisine, particularly sushi.

Creation of the California Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll

First came the California Roll. This was created in Los Angeles in the 1960s using local avocados with crabmeat rather than fresh, fatty tuna. The combination made sushi accessible to Americans who were weary of raw fish.

Years later, another chef flipped the seaweed and rice making the roll inside out with the rice on the outside. The seaweed binds the roll together, but at the time seaweed, like raw fish, was too foreign for Americans to appreciate.

Then came the Spicy Tuna Roll. While there are varying origins on the spicy sushi roll (some say Canada, some say Seattle), most sources root its history to LA in the 1980s.

The roll consisted of raw tuna scraps with mayonnaise-chili sauce. The spice balanced the tuna’s natural sweetness while the spicy mayonnaise masked the raw fish. The roll was the perfect blend of Japanese and American flavors and remains one of the most ordered sushi rolls in the country.

Japan’s love of sushi highlights the quality of the rice grain, how the rice is made, and the good, clean tasting raw fish. It’s all about simplicity and purity.

America’s love of sushi focuses on vibrant colors and highly decorated creations that are packed with flavor. It’s all about the sauces and breaking tradition.