Food History: The California Roll

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
  • California rolls are a well-known type of sushi in the United States, but how does it differ from Japanese cuisine?
    Food History is a show all about... well, the history of food. Join host Justin Dodd as he brings you the stories of how your favorite meals ended up on your plate. On today's episode, we break down the history of California rolls and the impact of Japanese culture on the American palate. Let's dig in.
    Check out Sarah Lohman's Book, Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine below:
    sarahlohman.co...
    -----------------------------
    Website: www.mentalfloss...​
    Twitter: / mental_floss​
    Facebook: / mentalflossmagazine

КОМЕНТАРІ • 70

  • @manaash4316
    @manaash4316 2 роки тому +5

    This episode in particular made me so hungry 😭

  • @scottherrington9382
    @scottherrington9382 2 роки тому +3

    👏👏👏👏Loved this episode. That ending full circle with the fermenting connection was 🤌.

  • @kalui96
    @kalui96 2 роки тому +20

    As a Japanese American I will never understand why Americans put the rice on the outside of their sushi... the Nori seaweed wrapping is meant to go on the outside as to give the rice structure
    Like a sausage... the meat goes on the inside of the casing!!!
    The taste is not really affected other than the initial contact of the tongue prior to chewing though. Functionally the usage of the Nori does not matter all that much lol

    • @iprobablyforgotsomething
      @iprobablyforgotsomething 2 роки тому +4

      As an American, I always wondered the same thing. It seemed counterproductive and silly. But then, it's also popular for people to misquote "heels over head" (aka being, or feeling as though you've been, hit by surprise so that you're knocked backwards off your feet, which fly up into the air as your upper body falls down) as "head over heels"... Even though *our heads are already over our heels* omg ppl. So ofc American sushi is wrapped halfway inside-out instead of properly containing its bite-size goodness. That's just how America rolls.
      .
      (No pun intended.)

    • @6thwilbury2331
      @6thwilbury2331 2 роки тому +2

      I've never really liked the California roll, so until this video - and your comment - it never dawned on me that it's constructed that way. Kind of funny to hear it described as "inside out." That's pretty accurate.
      But yeah, I've long called the California roll "white people's sushi."

    • @stenbak88
      @stenbak88 Рік тому +1

      It’s bc seaweed is disgusting and we don’t want that to be the first substance to hit our tongue. As a white American I don’t understand eating fish in general but raw fish makes absolutely zero sense

  • @bubbledoubletrouble
    @bubbledoubletrouble 2 роки тому +14

    Raw salmon in sushi/as sashimi also did not originate in Japan. Norway had a large surplus of salmon back in the ‘80s and needed to find new markets for it.

    • @delusionnnnn
      @delusionnnnn 2 роки тому +1

      I presume (perhaps incorrectly) that most of the freshwater sushi we see here in North America are modern and local innovations.

  • @wepoststuff
    @wepoststuff 2 роки тому +10

    Who knew food history could be so interesting! Excellent video :)

  • @koreanelvis
    @koreanelvis 2 роки тому +3

    My personal favorite (which I have also seen in Japan when I traveled there four years ago) roll is the Spider Roll. It’s like any other roll except for the special deep fried, soft shelled crab in the middle of the roll; which is chopped for easy eating. No wasabi needed, just Japanese Mayo.

  • @MattAndImprov
    @MattAndImprov 2 роки тому +4

    Gotta mention Molly Ringwald's explanation in The Breakfast Club.
    Old news for many by the time it came out but definitely the introduction for tens of thousands of people

  • @HayTatsuko
    @HayTatsuko Рік тому +1

    I like lots of sushi, both traditional and United Statesian, but my favorite thing ever is inarizushi -- with just the sushi rice and some seasoned seaweed and sesame seeds and such in. The lovely aburaage pocket and the vinegary rice inside, as well as the sweet-and-savory toppings, make it an absolute delight to nom upon.

  • @nariu7times328
    @nariu7times328 2 роки тому

    I love this series!

  • @moredena
    @moredena 2 роки тому +1

    My go-to sushi roll is unagi and avocado inside out rolls! So yummy!

  • @firstcynic92
    @firstcynic92 2 роки тому +1

    My go to sushi is... Twinkie sushi.
    Wrap a twinkie in a fruit roll up & chill it. Slice into 1" segments. Poke in small dried fruits (blueberries, cranberries, etc.), small candies, or top with a Gummi Fish. Keep chilled until you are going to serve them.

  • @atsukorichards1675
    @atsukorichards1675 2 роки тому +1

    In my hometown in Japan, we still enjoy the fresh water fish fermented in cooked rice as a regional traditional cuisine, "Funa-zushi."

  • @s.b.8496
    @s.b.8496 Рік тому

    Our favourite sushi-rolls contain several "non-traditional" ingredients. A mixture of fresh cheese and creamy peanut-butter, wasabi, breaded chicken (toasted and cut into stripes), mozzarella. My favourite variation of those are with cherry-tomatoes cut up into eighths (or thin slices of pickled beets). Whenever I make them for myself I add some tabasco - but it works perfectly fine without that.

  • @wezul
    @wezul Рік тому

    Favorite: Rocket Roll from Ginza Sushi in Tampa, FL. Tuna, crab, onion, deep fried, topped with mayo, eel sauce, siracha, and scallions sprinkled on top. Warm, crispy, sweet and savory, it's so good!

  • @roweng.4245
    @roweng.4245 2 роки тому

    A few decades ago, I came up with an inexpensive "sushi" - core cucumbers, stuff with squeezed-out canned tuna with some liquid from pickled ginger added; tie up snugly and refrigerate over night. Quite good, and works for picnics where one does not want to have raw fish sitting out. No rice involved.

  • @richardmoore8918
    @richardmoore8918 Рік тому

    This entry written on 12/31/'22. I am sansei Japanese from my mother's side of the family and black and white from my father's side. I grew up in Los Angeles, CA. In 1970 a buddy of mine took me to the tokyo Kaikan Restaurant that was mentioned in this video. A few weeks later I decided to go there myself, alone. This was before I ever had a credit card. I ran up a bill that was a few dollars more than I had in cash; the management decided to trust me to pay them back in the days after my visit. I did pay them and patronized the restaurant for years thereafter until they closed.

  • @lillysora
    @lillysora 2 роки тому

    A local Japanese restaurant to me called Kokoro does a great spider roll though the restaurants specialty is rice bowls and introduced me to the joy that is Japanese curry!

  • @matthewdrummond1340
    @matthewdrummond1340 2 роки тому +3

    I've definitely had more grocery store California rolls than traditional sushi but there is a Japanese restaurant in town. I'll have to go soon.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  2 роки тому +3

      *whispers* People hate on grocery store sushi, but...it's good?

  • @thenickster015
    @thenickster015 2 роки тому

    I went to a sushi place once called Hockey Sushi (I'm in Canada, obviously lol). They had what they called a "hockey roll" which was essentially a tempura sushi but the size of a hockey puck.

  • @glazdarklee1683
    @glazdarklee1683 2 роки тому

    13:09 - off by a century, but otherwise a delightful an entertaining video. Thanks.

  • @PrinceGastronome
    @PrinceGastronome 2 роки тому +1

    Hidekazu Tojo is my choice as creator. He has the best story.

    • @ericg6084
      @ericg6084 2 дні тому

      And recognized by the Japanese government. .

  • @micknolen
    @micknolen 2 роки тому +2

    My favorite is whatever the local creation is.

  • @bonwatcher
    @bonwatcher 2 роки тому

    If you've never had a California roll with real crab you are missing out. The richness of real shredded crab in a California roll is to die for.

  • @jessiwonderfool
    @jessiwonderfool 2 роки тому +3

    And now Japan often serves mayonnaise on sushi. And pizza. And anything else they can think of.

  • @HeliosKou
    @HeliosKou 2 роки тому +1

    Unagi has to be my favorite

  • @maryavatar
    @maryavatar 2 роки тому +3

    There’s a sushi place about 100 metres from my house. If is difficult to stop myself getting lunch there every day. Their Dragon Rolls - 😘

  • @franbalcal
    @franbalcal 2 роки тому

    girl, you gotta try the peruvian style Sushi "acevichado".

  • @WenzelSays
    @WenzelSays 2 роки тому +2

    If a teacher shows a movie instead of teaching, there's a good chance that they're hungover

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  2 роки тому

      Hahaha never considered this before, but having seen how teachers approach happy hour, I'm inclined to believe it.

  • @nancyckotz
    @nancyckotz 2 роки тому +2

    What, no mention of sushi burritos?

  • @delusionnnnn
    @delusionnnnn 2 роки тому

    My favourites are all the fish roe sushi, especially the spicy wasabi roe hand rolls. I'm glad I finally tried the sea urchin (roe) roll, but it's my least favourite and I'll never have another. It wasn't disgusting, but I just didn't like it.

  • @Pawz2142
    @Pawz2142 2 роки тому +1

    When soft shelled crab is in season my fav is the Spider Roll for sure. Any other time the Rainbow Roll is my go-to.

  • @christopherb.2986
    @christopherb.2986 2 роки тому

    Itadakimasu doesn't really mean "Enjoy your food!", it's something you say... to yourself, more or less, not to others :p Anyways, thanks for that episode

    • @atsukorichards1675
      @atsukorichards1675 2 роки тому +2

      "いただきます/Itadakimasu" means "I am grateful to receive this meal."

  • @ktekc
    @ktekc 2 роки тому

    Spicy Crunchy Tuna roll for me pls!

  • @6thwilbury2331
    @6thwilbury2331 2 роки тому +3

    Seems like it was yesterday that the movie The Breakfast Club came out, with one character having to explain to another what sushi is.

    • @Beryllahawk
      @Beryllahawk 2 роки тому

      Oh good I'm not the only one who instantly thought of that scene, hehe

  • @schneedrachin
    @schneedrachin 2 роки тому

    Justin eats free food should be a real thing

  • @KevinSmith-YT
    @KevinSmith-YT 2 роки тому

    Fascinating!! Thanks!

  • @ConradSpoke
    @ConradSpoke 2 роки тому

    Let's not forget that long before the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) Americans had been reading about atrocities committed by Emperor Hirohito and the Japanese military for *decades*, long before the rise of Hitler. These atrocities were committed against other Asians, whom the Japanese considered racially inferior.
    After Pearl Harbor many Japanese-Americans continued to worship and publicly endorse Hirohito, despite these atrocities. Most German-Americans had fully rejected Hitler, Nazis, and German nationalism by 1939.
    The illegal concentration camps on the West coast were a response to this bizarre and disturbing disparity. It is a myth that Executive Order 9066 was nothing more than unmotivated hatred of Asians. There was no such fear of Japanese-Americans in the eastern U.S.

  • @KiloDeltaOneSierra
    @KiloDeltaOneSierra 2 роки тому

    Tekka maki. Though maguro too

  • @alarcon99
    @alarcon99 2 роки тому

    Umm. Saying that ceviche has its roots in Peru (ignoring neighboring countries) is like saying that barbecue ribs have their roots in South Carolina. Any way you slice it, your about to start some beef 😜

  • @Freddles279
    @Freddles279 2 роки тому +2

    Another plot twist... French toast was not invented in France. The gentleman who invented it was Joseph French. Apparently, he was grammatically inept and when he called it French toast, he forgot the apostrophe to show ownership.

  • @SandlotRider
    @SandlotRider 2 роки тому +5

    The simpler the better. So nigirizushi it is for me but I'd rather have only sashimi if the seafood is fresh and simply good. No need to add ingredients that'll wash away the subtle tastes of the seafood.

  • @MustangErin
    @MustangErin 2 роки тому +1

    My favorites are Dynamite rolls and if I can find something with mango I am happy. I also don't eat any raw fish so it must be cooked for this girl.

  • @toveryonder1115
    @toveryonder1115 2 роки тому

    san Antonio roll

  • @datchu8458
    @datchu8458 2 роки тому

    Watch a Foreigner stories in phillipines

  • @deboralee1623
    @deboralee1623 2 роки тому

    ¿shot in Japan? ¿Japanese actors? so crazy, it just might work.

  • @crybebebunny
    @crybebebunny 2 роки тому +2

    Very interested. No I surely don't like Sushi. My husband and eldest daughter, they both enjoy it very much.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  2 роки тому +1

      Ha, thanks for watching. I bet less than 10% of the audience who watches these vids are learning about a food they don't enjoy eating, so 100 curiosity points for you!

  • @mathieuleader8601
    @mathieuleader8601 2 роки тому

    the Hawaiian Pizza is Canadian

  • @christianhansen3292
    @christianhansen3292 2 роки тому +1

    classic cali roll for me please! arigato

  • @Darxide23
    @Darxide23 2 роки тому +14

    Garçon means "boy" as in a male child. So yea. Nobody would like that.

    • @LuchadorMasque
      @LuchadorMasque 2 роки тому +2

      Someone's never seen pulp fiction . . .

    • @Swishy_Blue
      @Swishy_Blue 2 роки тому +1

      "Excuse me *snapsnap*, boy!"
      Excuse me *snapsnap* You're not my grandpa!

    • @TeslaMaster2
      @TeslaMaster2 2 роки тому +2

      So... Justin went full Kratos on his producer.

    • @RealMariNova
      @RealMariNova Рік тому

      @@TeslaMaster2 😂😂😂

  • @MeganBecnel
    @MeganBecnel 2 роки тому +3

    Sushi not japanese. Spaghetti not italian. All the things

  • @Hillers62
    @Hillers62 Рік тому

    California rolls are an abomination to sushi...today, many grocery stores sell "Fusion Sushi" with mayonnaise, avocado, fake crab, etc...that is NOT sushi!!!!!

  • @stenbak88
    @stenbak88 Рік тому

    I only eat California rolls, real sushi is so disgusting

  • @rudyoliveira6532
    @rudyoliveira6532 2 роки тому +1

    Hairy chest guy is back!

  • @6thwilbury2331
    @6thwilbury2331 2 роки тому

    So wait... the Japanese took something invented in another country, then perfected it? Yes, that sounds familiar.