Uni Sashimi...?

You just go to the local Piggly Wiggly and....

If you have never eaten them, your best bet is a single order at a Sushi restaurant, but many don't have the uni. Uni has a very distinct taste, and not many will eat it. They don't keep too well, but can be frozen. I have had some served that weren't quite fresh, and the taste was not very good. That may be why some don't like uni, they never have had fresh!

A single serving at a sushi bar will be under ten bucks, and should get you two nigiri boats per order. I have searched all over my area and can find all types of sashimi items, but no fresh (or even frozen) uni.

I get my uni here: http://catalinaop.com/ You have to check often, or have them e-mail when the live ones are available. They sell out of ALL quick each day. You can buy a tray for $26.00, and they will ship ANY order overnight for $25.00, $30.00 on Saturday. I doubt that is cheaper than an order at the sushi bar huh? It is however better, and if you can get the live, even better still!

I think you are going about this the wrong way. Uni or sea urchin is one of my favorites. And it is pretty expensive these days so be ready to shell out more money than you would spend at a restaurant. This is because the serving size of uni at a restaurant is small compared to the standard package of uni that is sold at Asian food outlets.

Plus, you need to know how to prepare it if you want it cooked. Raw also requires special handling. It's just more convenient if you sample it at a sushi place because if bought some for home and it turns out you hate it you are going to be throwing away lots of money.

If that doesn't dissuade you, look about your local area for an Asian grocery store. Typically, fresh catch sea urchin is only available in some fishing villages. Sea urchins has to be harvested differently and not the usual way typical in the fishery industry.

These days, the only form of uni you are going to get is the frozen kind. It is typically packaged in a small square box (usually with a wooden frame - a Japanese tradition). If you are really lucky, some Asian grocery stores have a live seafood section with salt water tanks filled with various sea-stock and I actually found some live sea urchin on very rare occasions.

I'm just going to say - that I am not remotely a picky eater and I simply can NOT eat uni. It has the texture of snot. I couldn't even tell you what it tastes like because I'm always to busy gagging to notice. But some people do enjoy it - br549 had excellent advice ;)

chinese supplies may do canned lychee!!!???!!!

chinese supplies may do canned lychee!!!???!!!