You might be wondering why sushi is so expensive. The cost of the fish alone is high enough, but you might not realize that the actual ingredients are even more expensive. The preparation, transportation, and freezing of fish are a few factors that go into the cost. A good sushi restaurant can make you forget that you’re eating raw fish. Luckily, many affordable sushi restaurants can be found in most cities. Nonetheless, if you’re planning on having sushi often, you may want to consider these factors before you go out and spend a lot of money.
Cost of fish
The cost of fish used in sushi has risen significantly with the rise in demand for sushi around the world. With the price of top-quality fish rising by 20 to 70 percent, sushi prices have become a major headache for business operators. Fortunately, it’s not impossible to find sushi meat at a local supermarket, even if it’s not the best quality. There are many ways to find fresh, tasty fish at affordable prices.
In Japan, sushi restaurants tend to serve fish from local waters, but in the US, many restaurants source their fish from foreign countries. This means that prices will vary across the country. A single piece of “otoro,” or bluefin tuna, can cost dozens of dollars at a high-end Tokyo sushi restaurant.
Cost of preparation
There are a number of distinct factors that go into the preparation of sushi. These factors include transport, freezing, and prior preparation. While living near a body of water may help cut down on costs, it is still necessary to pay a premium for fish that is suitable for sushi preparation. Additionally, preparing sushi requires special handling, which can add to the cost.
For instance, sushi rice is a major expense. It is more expensive than other varieties of rice, and it is necessary to make sure the rice remains sticky. Other costs include equipment, sushi mats, chopsticks, and side dishes like soy sauce and ginger. Some of these items can run you as much as $30.
Cost of transportation
Increasing demand for sushi has pushed up the cost of ingredients and transportation. A recent study by Leonard’s Elkon estimated that transportation costs rose between 15 and 20 percent. The costs increased due to increased demand and higher prices for high-grade fish. Some of the cost increases were also driven by a bigger boom in the popularity of high-end omakase, a type of sushi that includes a combination of seafood and rice. This type of sushi is popular in Thailand, Hong Kong, California and Taiwan.
A simple sushi roll cost about $6.99 in the United States in the past year. While prices rose in San Francisco, New York, and Philadelphia, the cost of a sushi roll in San Jose remained flat. The discrepancy highlights the fact that consumer inflation is not homogeneous across cities. In addition to the cost of transportation, sushi prices also increase based on the availability of fish.
Cost of freezing
Frozen sushi is a great way to save money while still preserving the delicious taste. Although it might not look like the same when you take it out of the freezer, it will retain the freshness and flavor of the original. The main problem with frozen sushi is that the fish tends to lose some of their texture. While most sushi is composed of rice and vegetables, some varieties have additional ingredients such as cream cheese or avocado. While they don’t hold up well in the freezer, the flavors and textures will still be there. Taking proactive measures to prevent your sushi from falling apart will also help you to save money.
Using plastic wrap to wrap the sushi is important in order to protect it from getting crushed or soggy while in the freezer. You should also make sure that you label your sushi with the date and type when you freeze it. Although sushi can be kept in the freezer for up to two months, it is best to eat it as soon as possible.
Perishable nature of ingredients
The perishable nature of sushi ingredients makes it extremely important for sushi to be consumed within a short period of time. Many types of sushi contain raw fish that must be eaten immediately. Otherwise, they can develop germs and spread them around. Therefore, sushi should be consumed within a few hours of preparation. Otherwise, the sushi will lose its quality and could be harmful to your health.
Sushi is highly perishable, so it is important to maintain proper temperatures. Different kinds of fish require different temperatures to keep them fresh. Because of this, sushi restaurants must invest in special equipment that allows them to keep the ingredients fresh and flavorful. The cost of sushi is directly related to the quality and quantity of fish and other ingredients used to prepare it.