Make Your Own Sushi Party!
Everyone knows how much I love sushi. Well, my youngest step-daughter Gwen is absolutely obsessed with all things Japanese (including culture, language, manga and anime), and with that love for Japanese culture comes an enormous love for sushi. It is her all time favorite food. You wouldn’t believe how much of it she can stuff into her little body!
So a few months back when I got some sushi rice from Koda Farms through FromTheFarm.com I knew I had to save the sushi rice for this summer when Gwen and her sister Rachel would be here, so we could have a make your own sushi party!
We made an event of it by going first to the grocery store together to get some of the supplies. Then we headed to the local fish market to get some more goodies. We made the rice first, so that is would have time to cool off. Then while that was cooking, we prepared our fillings – tempura shrimp, fake crab (which is not fake food- as it is made from whitefish, so therefore, not crab…hence the name…), spicy fresh sea scallops, avocado, cucumber, carrots and scallions. We also made spicy mayo (Thanks Dharm for the Sambal Belacan!!!!) and both toasted and black sesame seeds.
Back when I taught at the cooking school, during the summer we had a camp program for kids, and we made a lot of sushi and it was a lot of fun! So since I already knew how to make the maki rolls, it was pretty easy, just a few quick pointers and everyone was off rolling! There are a lot of detailed, and step by step instructions online for how to roll maki, so I will not cover that here.
Needless to say we made A LOT of sushi. There were 4 of us rolling, and I think it is safe to say we each made at least 4-5 rolls each….and we ate every last piece too…Gwen is proud that she ate at least half of the tray! 
What can I say, she loves her sushi!
* I will add that per lo’s comment, making sushi is WAAAAY cheaper than going out for sushi. You need very little fish – we used 1/2 package of fake crab, 6 jumbo shrimp and 1/4 pound of sea scallops to feed the 4 of us (really OVER feed the 4 of us!). Not much by way of veggies either, because everything is sliced so thin! Good question lo!
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zoe - July 8, 2009 at 1:03 pm
This looks like so much fun!! Everything looks delicious.
Judy - July 8, 2009 at 1:07 pm
What a fun idea!!! I may have to track down some of those tips but my youngest loves sushi and this would be a perfect project for us!!!
Lisa - July 8, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I have been wanting to do this for a long time. Now I am inspired!
Rosa - July 8, 2009 at 2:02 pm
A great party! Those sushi look wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
erin :: the olive notes - July 8, 2009 at 2:07 pm
this looks like SO MUCH FUN! I’ve been craving sushi so much lately. Can’t wait to try the new place by publix. It seems you guys are having a great time with (and showing a great time to) the girls!
The Duo Dishes - July 8, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Very fun indeed. Making sushi is a nice group activity. Everyone gets to put their hands in the creation and then eat it.
Jen of a2eatwrite - July 8, 2009 at 2:20 pm
That looks like such fun. I’ve never made sushi, and it’s clearly something I should learn because I absolutely adore it.
Sunshine - July 8, 2009 at 2:28 pm
LOVE it Jenn!!! so fun… I have always wanted to do this…
Jenn - July 8, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Lovely idea. I’ve love to have sushi party. I just need to learn how to make them first. But it shouldn’t be that hard right.
Peter - July 8, 2009 at 6:51 pm
A fun day and a delicious day. I would add…if you’re entertaining kids…take them to the fish market and teach/show them what to look for when choosing the freshest catch. You smart cookie!
Bonnie - July 8, 2009 at 7:51 pm
We love sushi around here !! I make it often … I just put all the fixins on the table and everyone makes their own ! We eat as we go !! YUM YUM YUM ! I just might have to change tonight’s dinner plans …
Haley J. - July 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm
How fun! The girls are so cute, and everyone looks like they are having so much fun. What a great way to get everyone in the kitchen! And sushi is such a perfect coastal, summer food. Awesome!
Bellini Valli - July 8, 2009 at 8:23 pm
My daughter is the one who taught me how to make sushi:D
patsyk - July 8, 2009 at 9:32 pm
such a fun way to spend the evening with the girls! they both are so cute and look like they had a great time!
Dharm - July 8, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I love Sushi and this looks so good! Glad the Sambal Belacan came in handy!!
Peter G - July 9, 2009 at 12:42 am
This looks like fun! What a blast! I too would have consumed every last piece!
Pam Striker - July 9, 2009 at 7:45 am
It’s so great to see that you all get along so well and have so much FUN!
I love vegetarian sushi with brown rice….so good!
We have a place in Columbus, Ohio at The Raisin Rack that makes the best….oh, hubby and I just might have to make a trip this weekend…delish!
You girls are so cute!
Well enjoy your time,
Pam
http://www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com
Adam - July 9, 2009 at 9:25 am
Great idea. Sushi takes a little bit of work for some of us, so I like the whole party effort.
Fake crab always looks a little different don’t ya think… I wish real crab was cheaper, but after watching deadliest catch, I repect it.
girlichef - July 9, 2009 at 9:39 am
Yum! This would be a fun way to introduce my kiddos to sushi…little ones know nothing about it, oldest cringes at the thought of anything he thinks MUST contain “raw” fish. Ha ha…looks great to me, though
kat - July 9, 2009 at 10:41 am
What fun! Its great to see kids who aren’t afraid of sushi
lo - July 9, 2009 at 1:52 pm
We have always wanted to have a sushi party! We LOVE love Luv our sushi… and making your own has to be way more fun than take-out.
Was it terribly costly to pull together all the ingredients for your bash?
Pam - July 9, 2009 at 2:01 pm
What a fun party! I really need to try more sushi.
Jenn,
I tried to e-mail you some questions through your contact me area but I don’t think it worked. Can you e-mail me? Thanks.
Helen - July 9, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Brilliant! Well I share Gwen’s enthusiasm for all things Japanese – perhaps I should express that more on the blog! I can’t believe I have never tried making my own sushi – can you believe that Jenn?! Where have I been???!
Natashya - July 9, 2009 at 3:07 pm
We love sushi parties too. My daughter brings her friends over for sushi nights.
Looks like you guys had a great time, you are really good at rolling the maki too.
Melissa - July 9, 2009 at 3:38 pm
How fun for you and Gwen and Rachel. So cool that she’s already enamored with sushi. Why wouldn’t she be though haha. Everything looks delicious!
Donna - July 10, 2009 at 7:44 am
Oh this sounds like such a blast. Everything looks just fabulous. Wonderful idea.
Michelle - July 10, 2009 at 11:34 am
This looks like so much fun! Maybe next time we get together we can do a rerun of your party. I’d love to learn how to do this! And the photos are almost good enough to eat…mmmmmm!
Toni - July 10, 2009 at 11:48 am
What a great idea! I’m a major sushi fan myself, but hadn’t thought of doing it as a party idea. Thanks!
Laurie - July 10, 2009 at 12:07 pm
How fun and yummy! You all fit perfectly in the kitchen too.
Nothing better than cooking with the ones you love..
lisaiscooking - July 10, 2009 at 2:17 pm
How fun! And, the rolls look delicious. I’m inspired to try making them again myself.
katie - July 10, 2009 at 2:49 pm
What a fun party! You are so luck to have access to such wonderful, fresh fish,
The Leftover Queen - July 10, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I will add that per lo’s comment, making sushi is WAAAAY cheaper than going out for sushi. You need very little fish – we used 1/2 package of fake crab. 6 jumbo shrimp and 1/4 pound of sea scallops to feed the 4 of us (really OVER feed the 4 of us!). Not much by way of veggies either, because everything is sliced so thin!
I am gonna add this to my post, too. Good question lo!
Maria - July 10, 2009 at 3:07 pm
How fun! Now I really want sushi for dinner. I mean REALLY want sushi!!
nina - July 11, 2009 at 2:59 am
We often have sushi parties and eat a lot of sushi, but I console myself with the thought that it is healthy!!
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