If I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would be sushi. When I say "sushi" I mean everything that could be considered a part of that family; like sashimi, nori, nigiri, and any other kind of sushi that fits the category. As far as I'm concerned, it's the food of the gods and combines the decadence of delicious flavour, with the humility of perfect balance and portions. It's the best, without exception.
My favourite kind of sushi is either straight sashimi (raw fish with a little soy, wasabi, or ginger), and nigiri (fish on rice). There's something so exquisitely luxurious about the texture of raw fish and the vinegar of the rice. With a little soy sauce and wasabi, the door opens to the mountain top of umami. You can eat it until you're full, without ever feeling bloated.
Sushi shows respect to its ingredients and when it's at its best, it's also at its simplest. Sometimes you'll find a nori roll (seaweed wrapped rice and filling) with a few different vegetables, some fried chicken, and a sauce; but it's not the same. For me, that's the KFC of sushi, which speaks to the possible varieties available, but with so many ingredients and flavours competing for a place, it ends up missing the mark.
No matter the format, fewer ingredients serves the sushi better. Of course, it's most relevant with sashimi, which only needs to be a slice of raw fish, with condiments to taste. I'm not the biggest fan of ginger, but a little mixed with soy and wasabi can really elevate a fatty slice of salmon. Alternatively, the delicate texture of Mackerel of Hamachi, does well with just a little soy to bring out the flavour.
There's so much variety in the world of sushi that you could easily eat it every day without having to repeat yourself too often. Include some cooked varieties and you'll be going for a long time as you make your way through the plethora of combinations. However, it's not variety that makes sushi the greatest food ever invented, it's the simplicity and restraint.
Compare it to other culinary traditions like sauces and hearty stews. There's nothing wrong with a big hearty plate of food to warm you up and nourish your body, but sometimes it's a bit too involved to be bothered with. I love seafood, so I'm always up for a mixed marinara pasta sauce, or some version of a seafood chowder. Although, instead of being delicate balances of perfection, these dishes end up being a blast to the gut of intense flavour stacked on more flavour. They're a joy to consume and experience, but quickly get overwhelming when you think about repeatedly going back for more.
Additionally, sushi is relatively healthy for us to consume regularly, depending on how it's prepared of course. There can be a lot of sugar in the rice, and the condiments contain a lot of salt. Anything in moderation is a good mantra to hold, even when devouring the food of the gods and living in taste bud ecstasy with a meal of sushi.
Let's also not forget that eating too much raw fish can be dangerous when we're not aware of where it was caught and how it was prepared. A lot of fish contain traces of mercury and other chemicals that help them regulate their bio-systems in the water. There may only be traces in each animal, but over indulgence can lead to a build-up of nasty elements. Thankfully there's never a need to over indulge in sushi, especially when you know there's more coming tomorrow.
I'm a pretty tall and big human, so I generally find that I can eat a whole lot of food if I don't consciously try to regulate my portion sizes. Sushi doesn't have that problem though, as I find myself eating slow, small mouthfuls to savour the experience. It's a little bit explicit to hold a single slice of sashimi in your mouth, dressed with a drop or two of soy sauce, letting it soften on your tongue a little before chewing slowly to release more flavour. Each mouthful could take some time to enjoy, slowing down the process of eating a meal, so it helps make a small portion last and satiate hunger. Apparently our stomachs switch off after a certain amount of time when we eat, so by making it last we can feel complete without shovelling too much down our throat. Sushi's typical portion sizes mean that I'll end up feeling satisfied after the equivalent of a couple of nori rolls, which is a lot less than my typical bowl of spaghetti bolognaise.
Sushi really is the perfect food, but thankfully we don't have to only eat one food for the rest of our lives. If I can add soup (think Pho and other broth-based soup) I'll be a happy camper.
There's a lot we can learn from sushi and apply to life in general. Its simplicity and direct purpose holds a lot to be admired, but it's a delicate food that can be made and enjoyed by all. We often get caught up adding complexity to our lives in so many ways, but it doesn't always lead to a higher level of existence. If we all kept it neat and simple; gave way to allow for elegance and precision; we might find that life gets a little lighter, and a just a bit more delicious.