Now we’re talking, this is the kind of vegan sushi I’ve been looking for, something new and different. I was down in Carlsbad last week and stopped by Nozomi Japanese Fusion restaurant for lunch.
I started off with organic Genmaicha, a green tea combined with roasted brown rice for a little bit of a “popcorn” taste. It’s delicious, but don’t let it steep too long or it becomes bitter-tasting.
For my entree, I had the vegetarian sushi combination which including the chef’s choice of 6 pieces of vegetable nigiri and a 4-piece vegetable roll, all made vegan. From left to right the different types of nigiri were: a leafy green wrapped around sushi rice, some pink vegetable that I don’t know its name, a strip of some preserved vegetable topped with avocado, eggplant, greens on top of rice in a wrapper, and shiitake mushroom. The veggie roll was similar to other veggie rolls that I’ve had before. But it was all tasty.
I also tried a tapas styled appetizer, steamed mushroom and leek dumplings in a truffle and miso broth.
I ended up eating there twice during my trip, both times for lunch. I got the sushi combination again and got slight variations on the offerings. The second time I got a few pickled leeks on the plate, I normally eat them in my Chinese Veggie Chicken Salad but I’ve never seen them before in a restaurant.
Now I’m more inspired than ever to try to make my own sushi at home.
I love Genmaicha! I don’t care for nori, so the sushi you featured above is something I would love to try! Thanks for the great review.
That is some of the most beautiful sushi i’ve ever seen. It must have been a great visual and taste experience!
Vegyogini – Genmaicha is my favorite green tea. There’s wasn’t a shred of nori in sight, you would’ve loved it. It’s amazing all the different types of sushi out there.
Jennifer – It was! I wasn’t sure what to expect, I just about fell out of my chair when my food was presented – it was so pretty and I haven’t seen anything like it before.
This is not only a work of art but so much fun too, with the unfamiliar vegetables. I’ve never made sushi at home either. So nice for you to have found many vegan options at this restaurant.
Oh, that looks wonderful. I also love genmaicha and those dumplings… wow…. could go for a plate of them right now. :)
Would love to see you feature your own sushi here!
those dumplings look off the hook!!! seriously, i want some. great photos too, i dont know how you do it!
Your post give me ideas too. A modern interpretation to the traditional Chinese cuisine would really seduce the dinner.
Now many Chinese restaurants in Singapore started to serve modern Chinese cuisine. I really hope that Vegetarian Restaurants can do the same too. It really make a big different.
Today, I prepared Cold Cha Soba (of course vegetarian, put in nice container, serves in colourful paper cup) for my boy’s class party. It was an hot item and all want more. I guess presentation does play a part.
I love good, inspired vegetarian sushi! Not that there’s anything wrong with the ubiquitous avo-cuke-carrot maki’s, but it’s nice when there’s variation on the menu.
looks good!
Lisa (Show Me Vegan) – I love how everything is always so nicely presented. It’s such a work of art, it almost makes me not want to eat it. Almost.
Cassie – The dumplings were good. I’m working on learning to make my own sushi.
quarrygirl – The dumplings were tasty. To get great photos at a restaurant – sit by a window or kinda close to a window. It’s all about lighting.
crystal – I’ve been trying to reinterpret dishes I’ve grown up on to be vegan. But there’s a lot of traditional Chinese cuisine and then there’s the whole tradition of Chinese vegetarian cooking too – that’s a lot of dishes.
Presentation does help a lot – people do eat with their eyes first.
tofufreak – Nope, there’s nothing wrong with the avo-cuke-carrot maki’s, I still eat those too. But it is nice to try out new things and to be inspired to try cooking new things.