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How can you tell if sushi is "bad"?

Posted by Pasquella • 8/22/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: allergic reaction, bad sushi, contaminated food, sushi

Last night I went out for sushi and ordered salmon, yellow tail, tuna and a roll of some sort. The salmon was so tough, that you could barely take a bite out of it. Although it tasted good, it was like eating rubber! I know that sometimes restaurants will slack a bit and leave the fish out for a bit too long, but I thought if the raw fish looked too "shiny", then it was sweating - meaning it was out for too long. Does anyone know what it means when a piece of raw fish, especially raw salmon is tougher than a burnt piece of steak?

Aside from that, when I got home, my tongue swelled up. I'm assuming it was an allergic reaction, however I did eat baby octopus. The only known thing I'm allergic to is shrimp. I had none of that. Does octopus have iodine in it? I know shrimp has a touch, but not sure about the octopus.

Sorry for the long post but I'm still feeling the aftermath of this horrible sushi experience. :\ I think I'm gonna stick to my regular burger joints.

User Comments

8/22/09

Stillthinking

When the fish is tough, slimy or overly shiny and smells "fishy", then it's old and should not be eaten.

Also, it could be that the fish was poorly cut.

Sorry about your bad sushi experience. If it helps, I once spent an entire night with my head perched on the toilet seat after some bad tuna.

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8/22/09

Agit8r

could it be that your dish was prepared on a surface that was also used to prepare shrimp?

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8/22/09

Pasquella

I've heard about how sometimes it's not cut 'right'... I just wasn't sure if that meant it was bad or whatever... It smelled good, tasted good, but tough as hell!

I never thought about cross contamination, Agit... hmm... that's possible!

Thank God I didn't feel sick, and now that it's the morning after, I feel a bit 'off', but nothing of a sick feeling. *crossing fingers*

But, my tongue is still slightly swollen, which is giving me anxiety.

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8/22/09

crpitt

I think Agit8r may be right about the cross contamination.

Bad sushi experiences normally involve vomiting and/or diarrhoea in my experience.

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8/22/09

singaporecaddy

the salmon should never be tough if it is fresh- and have nothing like the consistency of beef. It should be very soft and supple. I would have returned the sushi straight away if it was tough. I can't imagine how it would have smelled and tasted good ... ??!!!!

You should take some antihistamines (or benadryl if you don't have any) to get rid of the swelling which is most likely an allergic reaction. I agree with crpitt- if its food poisoning, you'd be feeling a lot lot lot worse.

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8/22/09

Pasquella

Thank you guys! Oddly enough, no bad smell or taste, but the texture, oof! If the swelling continues, I will take Benadryl, although I don't want to be a zombie all throughout the day...

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8/22/09

cindygeenotes

Sushi is one of those things I eat only at restaurants that know how to prepare it properly. Look for a place with a good reputation and customer turnover. Even if the fish doesn't make you sick after eating it, if it has not been refrigerated properly (i.e. previously frozen) it can carry parasites as well.

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8/22/09

legbamel

I keep seeing this title and coming up with more answers:

- it pulls a gun on you
- it asks the other fish to spank it
- it pulls the wings off of flies
- it comes with handcuffs and battery clamps
- it keeps trying to "get fresh"

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1. 8/22/09
  
  SweetViolet
  
  Oh, YOU are so bad!!
8/22/09

melindaville

I only go to sushi restaurants where I know the chefs--seriously. I love sushi--it's my very favorite type of food. I use Zagat to screen ones that I am not certain about---because raw fish is nothing to mess around with.

Salmon should never be tough like that--it's not squid or octopus (which I don't care for).

I have some great sushi recommendations if you are in either NYC, San Francisco, Boston, or L.A. I am a sushi connoisseur if I do say so myself!

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1. 8/22/09
  
  cindygeenotes
  
  Well said, Melinda. I love sushi as well. If you ever find your way to Vancouver,Canada, I know where to send you.
2. 8/22/09
  
  melindaville
  
  I'll definitely keep that in mind, Cindy. I really love Vancouver--it's such a lovely city but I haven't been there for years.
  
  And likewise, if you make it to SF or any of those other cities I mentioned, I can show you a sushi good time!