And then...
Listen, I have no idea what propelled me to even consider Trader Joe's Sushi Sensations. It's not that I'm against sushi. It's just that I've never heard anything good about Trader Joe's. Google "worst things to buy at Trader Joe's" and their sushi will almost always be mentioned. Years ago, in an article on The Daily Meal, I even said I never, ever wanted to try their sushi. Yet, here it was, in my hand, mulling it over....and even more amazingly, Sandy even said she'd eat some with me if we also got her a buffalo chicken wrap as a back-up. I've never seen her near sushi in the seven-plus years we've known each other. This was going to be an interesting night.
Well...there are some positives. I guess. In true amateur foodie-hack fashion, I'll admit, I'm neither a huge sushi fan nor anything close to an expert. But even I could tell this wasn't exactly top-notch fare. There's four types of sushi laid out for sampling here: Shrimp Nigiri, California, Spicy California, and Tempura Shrimp. There's also some dipping sauces: a slightly spicy "dynamo" (not to be confused with the juice), some sweet, some wasabi, and a packet of soy sauce, as well as a small bucket of crispy Panko bread crumbs. The nigiri were reasonably okay, though nothing special, as well as the shrimp tempura. Some common complaints regarding TJ's sushi is the quality and texture of the rice - there wasn't too much (if any) sliminess present, and the shrimp had a good firm texture and taste. Each paired well with the variety of the sauces (although we skipped both the plain soy and the wasabi) and the breadcrumbs also added a nice, little touch.
If those were the only rolls in there, we would have been reasonably fine with dinner and given a middling to solid score. But...the California rolls. Ugh. This is what California rolls are supposed to look like. These TJ impostors? Not close. Instead, the filling and the insides looked like some sort of cross between seafood salad and cat food - just a mishmash o' mush shoved inside some seaweed and rice. And I mean "mush." I didn't realize that the sticker with the nutrition label and ingredients was missing, and I can't find a picture of one online, but the filling tasted like all sorts of fake seafood-type junk smushed together. If there was a shred of authentic seafood in either one of those rolls, I;d be shocked. The "spicy" and regular had no discernible taste difference either. Sandy took one bite of one of them and nearly spit it right out for the texture being so offsetting. I'll admit that I was able to eat the rest...I must've been really, truly hungry and the sauces and breadcrumbs helped cover a lot.
For a couple deliriously hungry sushi novices like us, the Sushi Sensations platter made a somewhat passable dinner, but barely. This is what you get when you pay $6.49 for a large sushi plate - we should have figured and gone for something else. At least I can say that I've overcome my fears and tried it out, all to say you'll probably want to stay away. This is not going to be purchased again.
Bottom line: Trader Joe's Sushi Sensations: 3 out of 10 Golden Spoons
As I have said before TJ's can't replicate Asian foods at all. That includes Korean, Thai, and Chinese... But for middle America, I am sure it does suffice... True sushi and other Asian foods can only be had either in downtown L.A.,'Little Tokyo'.... 'Little Vietnam'... and Chinatown .. all in Cali... unless u venture out to San Francisco... or a further plane ticket to the original countries... Even their tamales, and frozen Mexican are not the true Mexican that u can get at local taquerias (sic)
ReplyDeleteOh I agree, but it'd be nice if, at least in this case, they made an honest attempt.
DeleteI'd disagree about your blanket statement on Asian foods.
DeleteTheir kimchi, which they haven't offered in a while, was some of the best I've had that wasn't homemade, probably because they sold it in a sealed bag rather than a jar.
Non-middle American here, who goes to K-Town in NYC for kimchi at least twice a month.
I remember trying their sushi and I think 3 is a generous score. Do I recall a ranch like dipping sauce?? Ranch. With Sushi. Never again will I try store bought sushi if there isn't someone on-site choppin' it up fresh.
ReplyDeleteYeah, might be a little generous, but since we ate the whole thing (somehow) I couldn't justify going zero or 1. Hunger is a weird thing.
DeleteI tried TJ's sushi once and it was, hands down, the worst thing I've ever eaten from the store. I think your 3 rating is generous.
ReplyDeleteI've had worse - their turkey meatloaf muffins? Ugh. But yeah, this definitely wasn't all that good.
DeleteYes I agree with everyone else...3 is very generous. I'm not sure why they keep getting rid of their good products but the sushi sticks around!! Who is buying that stuff??? Why is it so hard for them to make good sushi?
ReplyDeleteOkay, maybe I'm a bottom feeder, but I LIKE their Sushi Sensations! You get what you pay for, so look at the price and lower your expectations accordingly. If you ordered this much sushi in an upscale Japanese restaurant, you would be paying upwards of $50, less tip. Low end sushi is not for everyone, but it works for me. BTW, it makes my wife gag just to watch me eat it, and she LOVES sushi.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you get it it's not fair to rate food only on their appearance and say that it's okay but then say it's awful like it's really not bad texture wise it's not the best but overall it's fine they give you spicy mayo and sweet sauce with the crunchy crumbs and soy sauce with wasabi??
DeleteThe reason it's not pureed like a regular roll is because it needs to last longer or esle it goes bad too quickly and that's money down the drain.
Yes the rice and seaweed is not the freshest but what do you expect to get at an American based grocery store for 7.00 like I think it's decent quality with the quanity for the money like I'd at least give it a 5 out of 10 because of the deal.
Almost made this mistake today, happened to see this post on a quick Google search. Thanks!
ReplyDelete