Sushi

If there’s one dish that brings me back to my little Portland kitchen on a rainy day, it’s the spicy salmon sushi hand roll. The first time I made one at home, it wasn’t perfect, but it was full of flavor—and heart. I didn’t have a bamboo mat or fancy sashimi-grade fish, but I had fresh salmon, a warm bowl of sushi rice, and a craving that couldn’t wait for takeout. I remember laying out the seaweed, scooping the rice with slightly wet hands, and adding that creamy spicy mayo to the salmon. One bite, and I was hooked. You … Read more

There’s something magical about that first crunchy bite of a shrimp tempura sushi roll. The golden, airy batter shatters, giving way to sweet shrimp, creamy avocado, and the gentle tang of seasoned rice. I still remember the rainy Portland night I first tasted one — steam curling from my miso soup, the roll glistening under a drizzle of eel sauce. Since then, this sushi roll has been my favorite way to introduce friends to Japanese flavors. In this guide, we’ll share its story, why it’s so popular, and how you can make it at home. A Crunchy Bite of Memory … Read more