My Vegan Sushi Thanksgiving dinner experience…
I admit I am not an adventurous eater and I don’t get out much, so when I was invited to a vegan sushi dinner last month catered by Asa and Kaori of Garden Sushi Maui, I was apprehensive. My limited imagination wasn’t envisioning what Asa was about to serve us.
There were six hungry and excited people curious and eager to see what vegan sushi was. To my surprise, he presented an exceptional, masterful and artistic experience using the color and texture of veggies. Asa is an artist in the presentation of each course. His rigorous training as a sushi chef in Japan was on full display. There was an exactness and attention to detail that only a chef with a very sharp knife can accomplish! The combination of flavors was subtle and amazing. His wife Kaori made every course come alive with her description of what was sitting in front of us.
The challenge here is describing a completely different experience in food. I had to take photos to capture the colors and the inventiveness of what was being served.
There wasn’t any vegetable I hadn’t heard of or eaten before (mushrooms, daikon, cucumber, beets, avocado, burdock, eggplant, etc.), but the way Asa flavored it by marinating it or combining it with another flavor (homemade miso with a slice of bell pepper or candied ginger combined with a fresh tomato) made all the difference.
My favorite was the sushi served as the last course. He combined rice with quinoa and azuki beans to make it red and rolled it up with seaweed. Then he placed avocado slices on the roll and topped it with a dollop of miso and a slice of red bell pepper. What? It was almost too beautiful to eat! The flavor of the bell pepper first surprises you and then the delicious sweet miso takes over. Oh happy dance!
They have a facebook page at Garden Sushi Maui with more photographs and up to date information as to where you can purchase their food.