BEST SUSHI
FLIP through Instagram and you are likely to find pictures of platters of sushi and cold white wine doing the rounds.
Sushi, first developed in South-east Asia as a means of preserving fish in fermented rice in the 8th century, has become a popular dish served in Durban.
Over the years, sushi restaurants have popped up across the city. Some offer your favourites like Maki and California Rolls, while others have created shapes and topped theirs with caviar and other outrageously expensive items.
Sushi chef, Velile Mpontshane, who heads Dragon Sushi in Botha’s Hill, said the Japanese dish had turned into a social activity.
“Sushi is quite popular in most parts of Durban, including Durban North, uMhlanga, and La Lucia. Many people use ‘let’s meet for sushi’ as an excuse to catch up with friends or unwind after a tough week,” he said.
Durban’s sushi culture may owe itself to the range of halfprice specials on offer these days.
Most restaurants reduce the price of sushi on certain days or hours to draw in customers.
“People are in search of inexpensive food and are introduced to sushi when restaurants offer specials. After tasting it, they end up falling in love with the dish. Soon, they cannot resist a few pieces once or twice a week,” said Mpontshane.
Due to the demand for the dish, Mpontshane and owner of Dragon Sushi, Natalie Lange, host weekly sushi-making classes.
Guests gain insight on how to prepare the perfect sushi, the different types and
the perfect pairings. Guests also get to witness Mpontshane’s creative techniques, which he learned during his training under a Japanese family. Eager sushi makers get to sample their efforts afterwards. The class is dependent on group bookings and costs R200 per person.
Lange said restaurants in Africa that prepared sushi offered dishes with their own twist.
“Asian countries prefer to have their sushi raw, while people in Africa favour theirs to be slightly cooked. “The creation of sushi, that has raw and cooked elements, gives people a chance to sample this traditional dish without fear. Dishes like prawn avalanche and seared sashimi are quite popular in South Africa,” she said. Durban hosted the first Sushi and Wine Festival last year.
About a thousand Durbanites came out to support the two-day festival. The event created a platform for sushi businesses to showcase their offerings and entice sceptics to try it.
Founder Georgios Kretsos said the festival would return to Durban this year – this time with a prawn twist. Tommy’s Sushi and Chinese Takeaway
This quaint restaurant on 50 Florida Road offers a “buy one, get one free” promo on their sushi. Made fresh, sushi includes salmon rainbow roll, prawn cheese roll and a range of salads at affordable prices. Call 074 404 7351.
Dragon Sushi
Art on a plate, this is the best way to describe sushi at this Botha’s Hill spot. Try their Dragon Hearts and sashimi. Located at 68 Old Main Rd, Botha’s Hill. Call 063 065 1045.
Beluga Restaurant Gateway
Beluga offers half price on their sushi, from Monday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm. Popular choices include the Tuna Crunch and the Bam Bam, with tempura prawns. Located at 1 Palm Blvd, uMhlanga Ridge. Call 031 584 7430.
Bamboo Sushi Lounge
From salmon brulee to spicy salmon roses, Bamboo Sushi Lounge in uMhlanga is fast becoming a favourite sushi spot for their creativity. The restaurant offers half-price specials daily. Located in the Protea Mall, uMhlanga. Call 031 561 2705.
Bite Your Tongue
This Durban North gem offers half-price sushi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Their popular choices include prawn bean curd and California roll. Located at Astra Centre, Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North. Call 031 563 4419.