The newly opened Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is serving up some creative menu dishes, such as the Unagi (eel) and Banana roll. I guess this is the Asian fusion twist on a Fruit Roll Up!
It sounds peculiarly, but Akira Back isn't the first sushi chef to incorporate fruit. In fact, an increasingly popular dish at North American sushi restaurants is tempura banana. The gallery shows other fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya and kiwi in maki and nigiri sushi.
Many people aren't comfortable eating raw fish, some even averse to fish in general, so the option of vegetable or fruit ingredients makes it palatable to more diners.
One thing is for sure: Yellowtail Sushi is destined for success! Back has previously worked as a chef at renowned sushis restaurants Nobu, Morimoto and Nagao. The former pro-snowboarder has a penchant for the extreme, so expect his menu to be a direct reflection of that.
"More innovative dishes include Ahi Tuna Pizza with shiso, an aromatic mint-like herb popular in Japan; Maine Lobster Carpaccio with onion and cilantro; Kobe Beef Tataki with shaved garlic ponzu; and a Quesadilla made with Japanese rice crackers," the Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant site says.
Next time you head to Vegas, schedule a head and book yourself a spot on the cozy veranda which overlooks the famous Bellagio water show!
Fruit Sushi
Unagi & Banana Rolls at the Bellagio
Trend Themes
1. Fruit-incorporated Sushi - Exploring the integration of fruits like banana, mango, and papaya into traditional sushi rolls and nigiri, offering a unique flavor combination for sushi enthusiasts.
2. Vegetable Ingredients in Sushi - Utilizing vegetables as alternatives to raw fish in sushi rolls and nigiri to cater to the preferences of diners who are not comfortable with eating fish.
3. Creative Sushi Menu Dishes - Experimenting with innovative flavors and ingredients like Ahi Tuna Pizza, Lobster Carpaccio, Kobe Beef Tataki, and Japanese rice cracker Quesadilla to create unique and unexpected sushi dishes.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurants - Opportunity for sushi restaurants to incorporate fruit ingredients into their menu offerings, attracting a wider range of customers and satisfying the preferences of those who don't enjoy raw fish.
2. Food and Beverage - Exploring the use of fruits and vegetables as innovative ingredients in sushi, creating new flavor combinations and appealing to diverse customer preferences.
3. Hospitality and Tourism - Incorporating creative sushi dishes with unique flavors like fruit-infused rolls and vegetable options in upscale hotels and resorts, providing guests with exciting culinary experiences.