Shop your local Asian market. It’s usually worth a trip to your area’s local Asian market. Because they stock and sell these specialty products on a regular basis, your savings could range from 25-50% or up to several dollars per item. Don’t fret if your area doesn’t have a Japanese market. Many specialty Asian markets will stock sushi items as well.
Steer clear of sushi labels. Some companies are cashing in on the growing popularity of sushi by stamping “For Sushi” on a product’s packaging. Though seemingly helpful, this label often hurts the pocket book and these items usually cost several dollars more. Often the equivalent of these products is available in a more inconspicuous package, sometimes identical packaging minus the stamp. This sushi specific labeling is common with rice, pickled ginger, and seaweed.
Buy products individually. Often, sushi kits will boast that they contain everything you need to make your own sushi. But these often rely on promoting a book, sake kit, a sushi tray, bamboo rolling mat, a rice paddle and if you’re lucky a bit of rice. These make nice novelty gifts but you will still need to purchase additional products. It’s usually better to stock your sushi pantry as you would a regular pantry- go to the store and collect all needed items.
Be creative. Over fishing of certain species has caused a sharp spike in seafood prices, especially tuna. But good sushi doesn’t necessarily have to contain tuna. Keep an open mind at the market. Shop for items that are in season. Be flexible to a mix of seafood to be eaten raw and seafood that may need to be seared or completely cooked. And also consider some creative sushi that contains no seafood at all. But if you’re set on an assortment of sushi and sashimi grade seafood…
Surf the web for seafood. There are a rising number of seafood companies that will ship quality seafood suitable for sushi use at reasonable prices. Usually, they have a wider selection than the average grocery store seafood department. One to try is Catalina Offshore Products.
Use online sources for sushi basics. If you can’t take advantage of reasonable prices from a local Asian market, there are several companies that offer sushi products on line for reasonable prices. Two to try are Sushi Now and Sushi Foods.
Stock up on sushi basics. When purchasing your sushi basics from an Asian market– sushi rice, rice vinegar, and nori – consider the larger packaging. These items have long shelf lives and are easy to store. And often, these items come in a larger package for just a few dollars more. For example, purchasing a ten pound bag of rice that costs just $2-$3 more than the five pound bag keeps your sushi costs low in the future, especially if your Asian market is not nearby. Also, if you have these items on hand without having to make a special trip to the store, you’re likely to make sushi more often.
Multitask your equipment. When purchasing equipment for sushi use, get the most for your money by using items for non sushi applications. For example, after investing in a rice cooker, don’t let it collect dust in between sushi usage. Use it regularly when cooking any type of rice and many types of whole grains. You mind wonder why you never purchased one sooner. And when considering a knife for sushi use, purchase one that you’ll use on a regular basis.
