Cali, or California rolls, are a popular type of sushi in the United States. This food is often seen as being an introduction to the world of sushi, and millions of people love it. However, can you find Cali rolls in Japan?
If you can find them in Japan, should you order them? These are all things that we are going to cover in this article.
There is a lot that might surprise you in this article, so be sure to stick around to the end to find out if you should be that person to get Cali rolls when in Japan.
What Is A Cali Roll?
A California roll is a kind of sushi that is popular in North America. These are a type of inside-out sushi roll (also called uramaki). They typically consist of vinegared rice instead of nori (delightful, edible seaweed) on the outside.
Inside, they usually have cucumber, avocado, and either real or imitation crab.
These rolls get topped with a variety of ingredients, depending on your preferences. Popular choices include sesame seeds, masago, or tobiko. Masago and tobiko are the eggs of capelin (a type of smelt), and the eggs of flying fish.
Cali rolls were invented back in the 1960s in Los Angeles by Ichiro Mashita where he worked at the restaurant Tokyo Kaikan.
The chef needed a replacement for tuna for his sushi, and used crab and avocado to give the dish a distinct flavor – one that we all love today!
Why Were California Rolls Invented?
Although the decision to use avocado and crab instead of tuna was a necessary choice based on availability, other changes were not. In fact, many of the changes that were made to create the Cali roll were actually done so to appeal to Americans.
The chefs at Tokyo Kaikan quickly replaced the nori found on the outside with rice, creating a kind of inside-out sushi dish.
Many people disliked the idea of eating raw fish due to cultural differences, and the seaweed was overpowering for most people’s palates.
These changes resulted in the now-known California roll being born. It quickly spread around the United States, and has since become a staple food in fusion cuisine.
This dish can now be found on the majority of menus of Japanese restaurants in the Western world, and maybe beyond. However, do you get these fusion California rolls in Japan, the home of sushi?
Can You Find California Rolls In Japan?
Technically, yes, you can find California rolls in some restaurants in Japan. However, your usual Japanese sushi spot is unlikely to have these on the menu, simply because there is no need for them.
This kind of sushi was created and amended to cater to the foreign Western preferences and bridge the gap between the food of Japan and the US.
Since the Japanese have enjoyed raw sushi (and various other raw food) since between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC, there has never been a need to have such a dish in Japanese restaurants.
With that being said, nowadays, you are likely to come across a handful of restaurants with this fusion dish on their menu. But – and there’s a big but – these are probably only going to be in all the tourist-y areas.
Head to any sushi restaurant in Japan where tourists often visit, and you are bound to come across “California roll” on the menu – or something to that effect. There might be different names for these rolls, so look it up before you go.
If you head to an area of Japan that is not known for their tourism, there is a good chance that you will not come across a California roll on any menu.
Are Cali Rolls Popular In Japan?
As you might have guessed by now, California rolls are not a popular option in Japan. They might be an option for when you visit some of the places, but that does not mean they are a good option!
If you choose to order a California roll in the US, you will not get a second look. However, do not blame us if you order one in Japan and get a couple of side eyes.
It probably will not make you a popular customer if a chef is asked to make this kind of fusion food. After all, you are in Japan – try something a little more Japanese!
What Do The Japanese Prefer To California Rolls?
There are so many types of sushi, or sushi-adjacent dishes that the Japanese prefer. Some of these delicious choices include maguro nigiri, sake nigiri, kappa maki, tamagoyaki, unagi, and inarizushi.
There are a number of different kinds of sushi, with many of them looking completely different to what some of us might be used to. So, there are lots and lots of options to try out besides a California roll – bear that in mind when you visit Japan!
Did Japanese Cuisine Become More Popular In The US Because Of California Rolls?
It could be argued that Japanese food did start to gain popularity throughout North America because of the invention of the California roll.
This “safe” take on the maki roll was enough to draw more people in to try the dish and dip their toes into the possibilities that Japanese cuisine had to offer.
Now, while the humble Cali roll is still very much a favorite, especially to those who do not like the idea of eating raw fish, there are other popular options.
More fusion creations have spread across the States, and some recipes have been altered over time.
However, the Cali roll has managed to keep its spot among the favorites ever since it became popular. Now, you can expect to see rainbow rolls, spicy tuna rolls, spider rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, king crab rolls, and much more at the top, too.
Don’t think that the Cali roll is the only fusion sushi named after a place in the US, too! There are also Alaska rolls, Boston rolls, Philly rolls, and probably a dozen more.
Final Thoughts
So, a Cali roll (or California roll) is a take on a maki roll that was created back in the 1960s in Los Angeles. This version of a traditional maki roll was seen to be a “safer” option for people who did not want to eat raw fish or nori (seaweed).
This type of sushi quickly became popular across the US, and is not among the country’s favorite. However, this doesn’t mean that you will be able to find a Cali roll everywhere you go in Japan.
Since the Japanese have no aversion to raw fish, the majority of Japanese restaurants are unlikely to cater for this.
Instead, there are lots of delicious traditional Japanese sushi options to try. If, however, you want to get your hands on a Cali roll in Japan, you might be able to find it on the menus of restaurants in all the tourist-y areas.
There, they will cater to tourist preferences, so you might get lucky. Just don’t expect to find them if you are going off the beaten track!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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