Sushi platters and noodle dishes make great menus for events and parties. Sushi platters don’t need heating; they can be served cold as long as the fish is fresh. They are healthier than fried foods and other high calorie foods that may be served at corporate events and parties. They are delicious and can be a favorite lunchtime menu for office workers or high end delicacies for an event.
This food from East Asia is easy to eat, and though many people pick up their chopsticks to tackle sushi, they are traditionally finger foods! This makes sushi incredibly easy to serve and least messy to clean up afterwards. These are reasons enough to offer sushi platters at Moorabbin events.
Types of Sushi
Sushi is typically made of raw fish, vegetables and rice. These are combined together with different flavors and in different shapes to create the several varieties of sushi. There are also varieties of vegetarian sushi for those that don’t enjoy fish. The common ingredient across all of them is vinegar-flavored sushi rice. The toppings, fillings, condiments and preparation styles are what differentiate sushi varieties.
So, how do you choose what type of sushi platters to serve? Here’s a look at the varieties of sushi that are available.
Nigiri Sushi: Nigirizushi is typically a mound of rice pressed into a box with hands and topped with a dot of spicy wasabi and a cut of seafood draped over it, such as tuna, salmon, prawns etc.
Maki Sushi: Maki sushi is typically cylindrical sushi pieces created with the help of a bamboo mat. This variety takes its name from the Japanese name for the bamboo mat, makisu. They are typically wrapped in seaweed or other ingredients like soy paper, a thin omelette, perilla leaves or cucumber. The variety with seaweed wrapping and a single filling of cucumber or tuna is called hosomaki. Another seaweed-wrapped variety with multiple, complementary fillings is called futomaki. Other modern varieties are tune maki and salmon maki, with the fillings as suggested by the names.
Inari: Inari is typically made of fried tofu or beancurd pockets with sushi rice filling. It is named after the Shinto god Inari, who it is believed is fond of fried tofu. The beancurd pockets may also contain other condiments and toppings, or they can be eaten plain.
Sashimi: Sashimi consists of very thinly sliced, very fresh seafood served with a garnish such as Asian white daikon or radish, perilla leaves etc. It is typically served with a dipping sauce that is made of soy sauce, wasabi paste and other condiments like ginger. It’s also possible to order sashimi platters combined with nigiri sushi.
Western-Style Sushi: With the increasing popularity of sushi in the western world, there are variations in sushi with ingredients typically found in the west but not in Japan. These include the California roll, which usually contains a crab stick, avocado, tobiko and cucumber. This roll can also be made in the style of uramaki, which is rice on the outside and seaweed on the inside. Other variations can include mayo, prawns, salmon and other vegetables.
Health Benefits of Sushi
Scientists believe sushi is one of the reasons the Japanese are some of the healthiest people on the planet. A sushi diet typically contains 30 percent fat, compared with 40 percent of that in the Western world. Most of these fats are of the polyunsaturated variety.
A regular diet of sushi is known to keep the rate of heart diseases in Japan among the lowest in the world. Latest research has suggested that even smokers may be protected from lung cancer by including sushi more regularly in their diet. Raw fish contains circulation improving omega-3 fatty acids. Rice in sushi provides plenty of protein and energy. It can treat digestive disorders and even relieve diarrhea. Wasabi cleanses the palate, but it also may contain a chemical compound that can help to prevent tooth decay. Seaweed or nori has concentrated amounts of minerals like calcium, copper, iodine, magnesium and iodine. The condiment ginger aids digestion and may have therapeutic effects.
If you’re looking for suppliers of noodle dishes, Moorabbin locals will direct you to Pop Asia Cafe, with its variety of sushi items for business and personal catering. Contact them and choose from traditional Asian varieties, western-style preparations and other items at affordable prices.