The real secret to sushi isn't fish

Here's how it rolled from rice paddies into your burrito.

Video by Gina Barton

One ingredient has been a staple in sushi for over a thousand years—but it began in southeast Asia as a fish preservation method. Farmers would catch fish in rice paddies during the monsoon season. The caught fish were then pickled by salting the entire fish, packing it with cooked rice and weights, and sealing it in a barrel. This method helped prevent the fish from spoiling and gave the fish umami, the savory flavor. It wasn’t until this preservation method made its way to Japan, during the 8th century, did the rice began to be eaten with the fish.

[kalevang]

"3 to 4 times bigger"
Bruh, we need to bring that back

[Rabbitoracle]

"the rest is fishtory" HOW DARE YOU

[Dr_McDickerson]

Why cant we go back to the olden times when a single sushi was the size of a hockey puck?

[SamuelEstenlund]

Did she actually say "And the rest is fishtory"?

[VS]

California Roll was actually invented in Vancouver, Canada by a Japanese-Canadian sushi chef.

[RampantEnthusiasm]

The inside out maki roll wasn't invented in the states as stated at 2:09 . It was invented in Canada by Hidekazu Tojo!

[StolenPvP]

People complain about Vox "pushing their political views, " when that's what their channel literally is. An editorial/opinion based journalism. You should subscribe to these channels if your political views align with it.

[alfredpjp]

The size of the sushi shrank actually because of post war rationing if i am not wrong, not because restaurants wanted to make it more "refined".

[coffeeandpeach]

Sushi with cream cheese is nightmare material. I hate it.

[liamdavis]

"How can we make a video about Japanese food, but focus entirely on America?" - Vox

[jaimeharingsma]

... the real secret is it's timeless Norwegian design.

[Jaies_]

"And the rest is fishtory." Is that what I heard or what she said?

[lowrider]

The rice on the outside was first rolled in Canada, not America.

[Eaoleolo]

Sushi is up there on my list of favorite foods that I don't have any clue or slightly remote idea what it is about, or even how or why it is good, and how to compare a good dish from a bad one, except for the risk of intoxication. So thank you for this, Vox.

[RareCandeh]

Hell to the NO. Never get sushi from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. You have GOT to be kidding yourself.

[vectoredthrust]

I really want to dislike this video for that "fishtory" pun, but I can't because it's so informative and well put-together. Well done

[PikaPetey]

what? VOX you're not going to talk about how sushi is racist or push your political views upon this video? shame vox, it's not like you.

[cindyjones]

excellant video! really like how you stuck to the historical roots of the dish. the only thing that may have been left out is how the vinegar dampens the glycemic effect of white rice.

[aluisious]

God damn sushi burrito. So obvious in hindsight. I coulda been a millionaire...

[_lime.]

I think the roll being flipped inside out was done by a Japanese sushi chef living in Canada, he's also the guy that made the California roll. The man's name is Hidekazu Tojo and despite claims by other chefs the Japanese government recognizes him as the creator and made him a goodwill ambassador of Japanese cuisine.