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