Among my friends and family, the answers are often items we have eaten on vacation, and even more often, items we've had at Walt Disney World! So without much further ado...
Welcome to Episode 1 of The Best Thing I Ever Ate...at Walt Disney World: SUSHI
I selected sushi as the first episode because my parents and I have a weekly conversation that goes something like this...
Dad: So, what are we having for dinner tonight?
Mom: I don't know, do you want to get something in?
Meg: I know what I want...but I can't have it...
Mom and Dad: Why?
Meg: Because it is located in Florida...
*Collective sigh*
All: Disney sushi....
Ok, so maybe the conversation isn't quite that corny, but you get the idea. I know that sushi purists around the world are likely aghast at the fact that we could love "Disney" sushi, but that just means they haven't tried Disney sushi.
Without question, any and all sushi that we have consumed at Walt Disney World is magnitudes better than the sushi we have at home. That isn't to say our local sushi restaurants are bad, just average.
Now, we eat a lot of sushi on our trips to Walt Disney World. Typically we have 2-3 meals dedicated to sushi alone. But there is one restaurant that serves up the freshest, tastiest, most interesting sushi we have ever eaten.
*Drum roll*
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort!
We first tried the California Grill in August 2007. We loved it so much that we dined there three times in that trip alone. Ever since, California Grill has been our one MUST DO restaurant on every Walt Disney World vacation.
For those of you that don't know, the California Grill has a world-renowned sushi chef by the name of Yoshi. Yoshi is one of the few classically trained female sushi chefs in the world. She has been creating her complex and flavorful works of art for 15 years.
Now, I am going to cheat just a little bit on this episode. I am going to show you several of Yoshi's sushi rolls because it is absolutely impossible to select just one as "the best."
This picture was taken in August 2007, and it started our love affair with Yoshi's sushi. This was a custom platter and cost over $100, but it was worth every penny. The items on the platter range from creative maki rolls, fresh and simple nigiri as well as a trio of Ahi tuna preparations.
Now, on to individual rolls and why they are so delicious...
The Spicy Kazan Roll. This is described as "Crab, Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Tuna and Fireball Sauce." It sounds deceptively simple doesn't it? In reality it is a blend of textures: delicate flaky crab, tender shrimp and buttery tuna combined with creamy, spicy fireball sauce that is laced with the sweetest bay scallops you have ever eaten. Then, it is topped with crisp tempura crunch, tart and juicy mango, and salty threads of nori. Even the little cucumber salad serves a purpose. The cucumbers are pickled ever so slightly in mirin and other special ingredients. They cleanse your palette of the spice and leave you wanting more and more of this sushi roll.
Lastly, the Shrimp Tempura Roll. You know what the menu describes this as? Nothing. Why? Because it isn't on the menu (Shh...don't tell anyone!). Our first server at the California Grill asked if we had ever tried a "dynamite roll" at a traditional sushi restaurant. Indeed we had and they are quite good. Traditionally, dynamite rolls are tempura shrimp rolled with avocado, cucumber, mayo and tobiko. It is really just a variation on a California Roll.
He smirked and told us that he would bring Yoshi's answer to the dynamite roll.
Dear God. This. Is. The. Best. Sushi. Ever.
First impressions: Nori, the seaweed wrapper used in most sushi is noticeably absent. Instead, a soy paper is used, often called "white nori" despite the fact that it has no seaweed in it. The shrimp are tempura fried and instantly wrapped with slivers of watermelon and mango. The crisp cool watermelon and the juicy tart mango are wonderful pairing with shrimp. Using soy sauce on this delicate, sweet and fruity roll would be a crime. Therefore, Yoshi provides a sauce - Orange Ginger. It is a similar consistency to duck sauce, but its flavors are light and citrus-y, with a hint of subtle warmth from the ginger. Even the salad pairing, seaweed with this plate, is intentional. After all that sweetness, the briney and almost peppery taste of the salad serves as a great contrast.
It is important to note that Yoshi's sushi offerings change frequentlly. She likes to use the most seasonal ingredients and keep a good variety of options on the menu. The Spicy Kazan was added in 2009 I believe, but the Shrimp Tempura Roll has been "off menu" and available since 2007.
So there you have it. My favorite sushi in the world and easily the best sushi I have ever eaten.
What is your favorite sushi at Walt Disney World? Sound off in the comments below!
Spicy Kazan will has me hooked!
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