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Sushirito Fillings Guide

Comprehensive guide to filling combinations, flavor profiles, and what works structurally.

Table of Contents

• Classic Combinations

• Protein Guide

• Vegetable Strategy

• Sauce Science

• Regional Variations

Classic Combinations

The California

• Imitation crab

• Avocado

• Cucumber

• White rice

• Soy paper or nori

Why it works: Creamy avocado + crunchy cucumber balance. Imitation crab sticks together well.

The Spicy Tuna

• Spicy tuna (tuna + sriracha mayo)

• Cucumber

• Avocado

• White rice

• Nori wrapper

Warning: Pre-mixed spicy tuna is wet. Skip additional sauce.

The Crispy Shrimp

• Tempura shrimp

• Avocado

• Lettuce or cabbage

• Spicy mayo (light)

• White rice

Pro tip: Tempura texture contrasts nicely but can be hard to bite. Ask for shrimp cut in half lengthwise.

Protein Guide

Raw Fish

Salmon:

• Fatty, rich, holds shape

• Pairs well with avocado, cucumber

• Difficulty: Medium

Tuna:

• Lean, clean flavor

• Can be dry - needs creamy element

• Difficulty: Medium

Yellowtail:

• Buttery, delicate

• Harder to bite cleanly

• Difficulty: Hard

Cooked Options

Shrimp:

• Clean, slightly chewy

• Easy to bite through

• Best choice for beginners

Eel (Unagi):

• Pre-sauced, very soft

• Sweet flavor, tender texture

• Warning: Extra sauce makes it slippery

Tofu:

• Vegetarian option

• Can be bland - needs strong flavors

• Very easy to eat structurally

Vegetable Strategy

Essential Structure Vegetables

These provide crunch and structure:

• Cucumber: Crunchy, hydrating, neutral flavor ⭐

• Carrot (julienned): Adds sweetness and snap

• Cabbage: Cheap filler but adds good crunch

Flavor Vegetables

Add these for taste:

• Avocado: Creamy, rich - but makes things slippery

• Pickled vegetables: Adds acid and brightness

• Green onion: Sharp flavor, minimal structure

What to Avoid

• Lettuce: Wilts fast, adds water

• Tomato: Too wet, destroys wrapper integrity

• Bean sprouts: Slippery, escape easily

Sauce Science

Safe Sauces (Thick, Controllable)

• Spicy mayo

• Eel sauce (unagi sauce)

• Sriracha (small amounts)

Dangerous Sauces (Thin, Soaks Wrapper)

• Soy sauce (NEVER inside)

• Ponzu

• Regular mayo

• Wasabi cream (too thin)

The Sauce Rule

Maximum 1 sauce, applied lightly. If ordering multiple ingredients "with sauce," each adds wetness. Stick to one sauce type total.

Regional Variations

San Francisco Bay Area

Origin of the sushirito. Most options available.

• Sushirrito (the chain): Large, heavily filled - difficulty: Hard

• Try: "Geisha's Kiss" or custom build with light sauce

Southern California

Tends toward fusion and bold flavors.

• Common: Hot Cheetos crusted options (very messy)

• Watch for: "California-style" means more mayo

East Coast

Smaller portions, more traditional flavors.

• Less experimental

• Better rice quality on average

Midwest

Newer to the scene, conservative options.

• Cooked proteins more common

• Expect fewer adventurous choices

Custom Build Strategy

When building from scratch:

1. Base: White rice

2. Protein: One only - salmon or shrimp recommended

3. Crunch: Cucumber + carrot

4. Cream: Avocado OR sauce, not both

5. Accent: Pickled ginger or green onion

6. Wrapper: Nori (traditional seaweed)

Total ingredients: 5-6 max. More = structural failure.

Mistakes to Avoid

The "Everything" Build

Asking for "a little of everything" creates:

• Uneven density

• Conflicting flavors

• Structural chaos

• Impossible-to-bite-through thickness

Double Protein

Two proteins sound good but create problems:

• Uneven thickness

• One always tastes better, making other feel wasted

• Harder to bite through

"Extra" Anything

"Extra spicy mayo" = disaster "Extra avocado" = slippery mess "Extra rice" = can't fit in mouth

Rule: Never say "extra" when ordering a sushirito.

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