Japanese food has been one of my favorites since about as far back as I can remember. In fact, my parents tell the story that when I was just 2 years old I was so eager to eat the hibachi dinner that I leaned across the table and put my whole hand on the grill. (Clearly, patience was not one of my strong suits.) After growing up a bit, I discovered and fell in love with sushi. I consider it a perfect food, and indulging in sushi was the way that I celebrated every triumph and consoled myself after every defeat.
In general, sushi really isn’t a bad option for a meal, as it is full of good proteins and vegetables. It is also (for the most part) low-calorie, low-fat, and nutrient dense. However, since I stopped eating carbohydrates, I knew I would have to get a bit creative while eating out. Here are a few of my favorite “go-to” options at a Japanese restaurant. Hope you enjoy!
1. Sashimi
My favorite is fresh salmon, although any option is good! Most Japanese restaurants have a complete sashimi meal option, which allows you to try several different types and still get a soup or salad!
2. Handroll with NO Rice
Sometimes even I get tired of sashimi and miss the feel of having a “real” roll. Handrolls are like sushi ice cream cones and are super fun to eat. They also come in almost any option you can order a normal roll in to satisfy your every craving. My favorites are fresh salmon/avocado, spicy tuna, and spicy California roll.
3. Soba Soup with NO Soba
This weekend my husband and I went to our favorite sushi conveyor belt restaurant after our CrossFit workout. I used to always order the mini soba soup, and was missing its delicious broth and depth of flavor. Don’t get me wrong, I love miso soup, but soba soup is just comfort in a bowl for me. So, I decided to order the soba soup, with no soba. After some friendly ribbing from my waiter, I was presented with this steaming bowl and couldn’t have been happier. You don’t miss the noodles at all!
4. Hibachi with NO Noodles
Since I don’t eat too much, I tend to order the hibachi appetizer when I choose this option, which is usually just served with the protein of choice.
5. Naruto Rolls
A Naruto roll is sushi wrapped in cucumber instead of rice. By ordering a roll in the “Naruto style,” you save hundreds of calories and needless carbohydrates. This is the closest to the normal roll experience.
What are some of your Japanese favorites?
xoxo – SavvySleever