Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen

How to Eat Oysters on the Half Shell

If you have never eaten oysters on the half shell before, these mysterious-looking shellfish may be somewhat intimidating when they arrive at your table. Once you taste one, however, your anxiety will quickly subside as you savor the light and salty flavor of each bite.

To properly eat an oyster on the half shell, pick one up by the shell and run a knife along the edge of the meat, just along the inner edge of the shell. This will loosen the meat so you can slide the whole oyster into your mouth in one swift motion. Instead of swallowing the oyster whole, you should chew the meat to release its delicate flavor.

At Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen, you can start your meal off with oysters on the half shell, along with an excellent assortment of tasty raw and cooked seafood appetizers. Check out our whole menu on our website or call us in Calgary at (403) 252-5199 for more information. 

A Brief Lesson in Sake Grades

Sake is a popular Japanese beverage made from milled and fermented rice. As you will learn in this video, sake is graded for quality depending on the extent of milling that occurred before the brewing process.

The three common grades of sake are Junmai, Ginjo, and Daiginjo. Daigingo sake is the fruitiest and most aromatic of the varieties because it is made with rice that is milled more extensively.

To see how well your palate can identify the different grades of sake, taste the extensive selection of sake offered at Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen in Calgary. You can find us online or give us a call at (403) 252-5199 to see our whole menu of sake, cocktails, and Japanese beers to pair with your sushi selections. 

Why Sushi is an Excellent Option for Catered Events

How many times have you gone to an event and been served something that sounded delicious on the invitation, but turned out to be impossible to eat? Sushi is the solutionfor anyone who has ever spent days trying to pick the perfect food for their events. Read on to find out why:

style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Easy to Eat

Nobody wants to eat spaghetti and meatballs at a black-tie affair or steak at a standing reception—they’re too messy. Unless you have four hands, juggling your knife, fork, plate, and cocktail can be challenging. Sushi is one of the world’s easiest-to-eat foods. It’s small, non-messy, and very portable, so that all guests have to do is put a few pieces on their plates and nibble as they walk around and enjoy the party.

style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Versatile

Caterers will tell you that the food has to match the event. This may be true, but sushi is one of the few foods that can be customized to suit any taste and any party atmosphere. For example, the humble California roll is perfect for casual affairs such as birthdays and get-togethers. Similarly, you can serve sushi at the most formal occasions, like conferences and weddings, by having them made with any number of fancy ingredients, such as bluefin tuna, crabmeat, or even foie gras. Sushi also makes a great food choice for events where there will be guests with dietary restrictions. There’s a roll for everyone.

style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Light, But Filling

The goal when catering active events, such as dances and exhibitions, is to pick a food that satisfies your guests, but doesn’t fill them to the point that nobody can even get out of their seats. Sushi fits the bill. Rather than serving steak Béarnaise and matchstick potatoes, try a roll like shrimp or Ahi tuna, which is low in fat but loaded with protein and fresh vegetables. It’s the perfect food for entertaining.

At Sho Sushi Bar and Kitchen, we are proud to serve the best sushi in Calgary. We use only the freshest locally caught fish and make rolls to suit any event you could think of. Contact us at (403) 252-5199 to ask about our catering services. 

A Look at the Most Famous Beers of Japan

Do you prefer to eat your sushi while sipping on an authentic Japanese beer? Whether you prefer a vegetarian cucumber roll or opt for fresh sashimi, a light and refreshing beer perfectly complements any selection of sushi rolls. Here is a look at Japan’s three most popular beer offerings:

Sapporo

If you love Japanese cuisine, you are probably familiar with Sapporo’s trademark 22-ounce silver can. Traditionally poured into a tall, frosty pint glass, this pale gold and highly carbonated ale offers a crisp and clean taste for even the most discerning palate. While the Japanese drink Sapporo with everything from miso soup to fried rice, this beer is especially delicious with sashimi or sushi rolls as its mild, subtle flavor allows fresh fish and vegetarian offerings to shine.

Asahi

As Sapporo’s biggest Japanese competitor, Asahi last year wrested back the top brewer spot and is officially deemed the most popular beer in Japan. For sushi lovers who prefer a slightly stronger taste, Asahi provides a golden yellow pour with earthy, grassy tones. This slightly sweet ale is especially refreshing during the warm spring and summer months, and its moderate carbonation goes down easily with a semi-dry middle to finish. Added rice gives Asahi a slightly sake-like, smooth taste without the spirit’s high alcohol content.

Kirin

Kirin Ichiban is pure, crisp, and intensely satisfying. This pale American lager-style beer boasts a pure, smooth flavor and pale amber shine crowned with a rich, creamy head. Consistently coming in as one of the best-selling Japanese beers, this bubbly beverage is comprised of faintly sweet malts, a light dry bite, and a barely hoppy grassy bitterness. The high carbonation factor makes this brew an especially fine pairing for sushi.

Are you looking for fresh sushi in the Calgary area? Conveniently located on Macleod Trail, Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen offers our clients authentic Japanese cuisine served in a contemporary setting. Whether you are craving fresh fish or specialty rolls or vegetable tempura, call us today at (403) 252-5199 to find out what our extensive menu has to offer.

Why True Sushi Lovers Enjoy Sashimi

Do you love vegetarian sushi rolls? Are you ready to take your love of Japanese cuisine to the next level? As experienced sushi lovers know, sashimi is thinly sliced, uncooked seafood. Unlike a sushi roll, sashimi is served without rice and is traditionally offered as the first course of a Japanese meal. Here is why sashimi should be a part of your next sushi experience:

How Is Sashimi Different from Sushi?

Sushi refers to Japanese rice mixed with a special vinegar and served either as a vegetarian offering or paired with fresh fish. When sushi is served with a single fish topping, it is known as nigiri. When fish or fish and vegetables are rolled together with rice, the result is a traditional sushi roll or maki. Sashimi is a thin single slice of raw fish served without rice. Sashimi is always made from saltwater fish and is generally served raw.

How Is Sashimi Served?

Sashimi is usually served as an appetizer or as a palate cleanser at the beginning of a meal. This fish is traditionally served with an array of garnishes and sauces, including picked ginger, shredded daikon radish, toasted nori, soy sauce, and wasabi. True sushi lovers appreciate a chef’s skill in thinly slicing the fresh fish and artistically arranging the plate. Because the fish is served alone and without rice, experienced diners can truly appreciate its freshness.

What Is the Best Fish for Sashimi?

Any kind of fresh fish can make for delicious sashimi! Many sushi lovers opt for salmon, sockeye salmon, tuna, or red tuna. If you prefer shellfish, try scallop sashimi or raw sweet prawns. Especially adventurous sushi eaters might select an assorted sashimi plate, while traditionalists prefer Hamachi or tako sashimi.

Are you looking for a new sushi place with an inventive menu? If you live in the Calgary area, visit Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen today to explore our extensive sashimi offerings made of only the freshest fish. For vegetarians, our restaurant offers a wide variety of hand rolls, salads, and appetizers. Call us today at (403) 252-5199.