

Without the notion of spicy sauce, many of the tsunami of exotic rolls wouldn’t exist. There are no longer boundaries if it can be imagined, with a properly over-the-top name, it can be made.Īnd with some considerable help from the invention of the Spicy Tuna Roll, which is credited specifically to chef Jean Nakayama at Maneki here in Los Angeles, who came up with the concept of mixing bits of tuna (scraps if you wish) with chili sauce, and rolling them with rice, the mix then wrapped in the inevitable sheet of nori. And it can be daunting and nutty at the same time. At many roll-heavy sushi bars, it’s listed under “standard rolls.” Exotica has its own section. But when it comes to the madcap, near lunatic world of exotic sushi rolls, we’ve gone far beyond the modest California Roll. In Japan, it’s known as Kashu Maki - and yes, it does exist over there. I’ve also seen it credited to chef Ken Seusa at Kin Jo in Hollywood.

Culinary origin stories are rarely simple.Īs a local, I’ve long been happy to credit the California Roll to sushi chef Ichiro Mashita, who created the roll at Tokyo Kaikan in Little Tokyo. The California Roll first appeared on the burgeoning sushi scene back in the late 1970s. It stands in contrast to the more traditional nigiri sushi - the lozenge of rice with a slice of fresh fish layered on top, held in place with a strip of seaweed. I think you could easily get 10 mini servings out of this, just be sure to set aside a few for yourself, they’ll go quick.The first “exotic” sushi roll I encountered was the iconic California Roll - technically a makisushi containing cucumber, crab (real or otherwise) and avocado, sesame seeds and flying fish roe, often rolled inside out. I think these would be so fun for a party to serve in mini bowls.

How could you go wrong with deconstructed sushi piled high in a bowl? It’s destined to be a new go-to weeknight recipe for you! California Roll in layered bowl form! These are the simplified way to enjoy all the flavors of a California roll in a fraction of the time! You get a hearty bowl of sushi rice layered together with so many delicious flavors and textures.
