Fried Sushi Is Perfect For People Who Say They Don't Like Sushi

Many fans of Japanese cuisine dream about sushi on a regular basis, drooling over the bite-sized flavor bombs that are delicately and creatively prepared every time. On the other hand, plenty of food lovers can't stand the taste or texture of raw fish, making sushi off the table. But it doesn't have to be! Sushi rolls can contain a vast amount of different ingredients, which means there are endless combinations to roll together in seaweed. That's right: While raw fish is often found in sushi, it doesn't have to be there at all for it to be considered sushi.

While sashimi characteristically consists of simple slices of fresh raw fish — that's it — sushi differs in that its main component is vinegar rice, and it doesn't actually require raw fish. Some might opt for cooked fish in their sushi pieces or rolls for taste reasons alone, or perhaps they are worried about the possibility of bacteria hiding within the raw fish. As registered dietician Kate Patton explained to Cleveland Clinic, "As far as raw fish goes, tuna tends to have the lowest risk of food-borne illness," making it a good option for anyone on the queasy side. Patton also recommends shrimp and crab sushi for those concerned about safety, as these ingredients "are usually cooked." But to infuse your cooked sushi with even more mouthwatering goodness, you should seriously try it fried.

Fried food, while not the healthiest choice if consumed regularly, is a wonderful way to treat yourself every so often. And it comes as no surprise why we love it so much: There's a science to creating that irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth crunch that makes already good food taste that much more delicious. As fryer manufacturer Pitco explains, batter not only makes food taste better, "but it also enhances juiciness, because only the batter becomes crispy, while the food inside remains moist." So, next time your friends ask you out to sushi, order the tempura roll instead. There's a good chance you'll enjoy it if you already love fried food, and it might even be the gateway you need to branch out to other types of sushi.

Tempura rolls combine veggies with fish or meat, all coated in a batter of flour, eggs, cold water, and breadcrumbs before being deep-fried to the perfect level of crispiness on the outside and softness on the inside. Not sure where to start on the sushi menu? Try a shrimp tempura roll, which features fully cooked shellfish and is the ideal entry point for people who want to experience the bite-size perfection of fluffy sushi rice and fillings — but aren't so keen to try raw fish yet.