Stingray Sushi Invites Diners to Defy Convention

Stringray SushiHappy National Spicy Tuna Day! Here at Geeks Who Eat, we adore sushi! We love finding new sushi places to try and have even learned how to roll it ourselves! While we love traditional sushi and its western counterparts (ie: California Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls), we wanted to explore some of the more extreme and unconventional types of sushi rolls (especially since International Sushi Day is coming up on June 16th). With our mission in hand, we set off to Stingray Sushi to explore the world of specialty maki!

Wanting to leave conventionality behind, we decided that a traditional sake and miso soup or edamame would simply not do. Instead, we opted to try a couple cocktails: Tokyo Stock Exchange and Kiwi Collins (Tito’s Torani Ginger, Basil, and Lime; Pineapple Vodka, Fresh Kiwi, and Lemon Juice topped with Soda) and at the suggestion of our server Michael, the Snow Crab/Mozzarella.

Crab/Mozzarella

Crab/Mozzarella

Both cocktails were excellently executed and are perfect for the upcoming summer months where you want something light and refreshing. The Snow Crab/Mozzarella is basically a wonton wrapped crab and mozzarella stick served with a spicy aioli. We were initially hesitant because mozzarella sticks are typically kind of blah. However, we were glad we listened to Michael because the addition of crab and use of the wonton wrapper creates a whole new experience that is quite different than a traditional mozzarella stick (see what we did there?).

It was time to order sushi and in a fashion completely foreign to us, we ordered entirely off of the specialty side of the menu. We decided to try a few specialty maki, a cucumber wrap maki and a soy paper maki. Here is what we went with:

  • Japengo Roll (spicy crab, asparagus, avocado, takuwan, seared tuna, jalapenos and tataki sauce)- With takuwan (spicy pickled daikon radish) and jalapeno, this roll is tart and spicy yet balanced. The tataki sauce is a traditional pairing for seared tuna, yet this roll is not traditional in the slightest. The asparagus in this roll was also a highlight, providing a great flavor and crunch. [Matthew’s favorite roll of the evening]
    Japengo Roll

    Japengo Roll

  • Cabo Blanco Roll (salmon, spicy crab, avocado, halibut topped with pico de gallo and creamy ponzu)- Fish taco meets sushi is the name of the game with this roll. The creamy ponzu and pico de gallo are so reminiscent of a fish taco’s topping that you might momentarily forget that you are eating sushi. Our server Michael also suggested using a bit of sriracha while eating them and after trying it his way, we never looked back!
    Cabo Blanco Roll

    Cabo Blanco Roll

  • Godzilla Roll (green soy paper wraps soft shell crab, shrimp tempura, crab mix, spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber with unagi sauce)- The Godzilla Roll probably best exemplifies an out of the box, non-traditional sushi roll. Not only is it wrapped in soy paper instead of nori, but it is also served upright versus on its side. This monster roll features some of the best soft shell crab we’ve ever had! Typical soft shell crab sushi features an over fried mess of crab where all you taste is oil. Stingray Sushi breaks this mold and their Godzilla Roll is jam packed full of crab flavor. This is the only way we want to eat soft shell crab from here on out! [Sarah’s favorite of the evening]
    Godzilla Roll

    Godzilla Roll

  • Original Lollipop Cucumber Wrap Maki (tuna, salmon, whitefish, crab mix, masago and scallions wrapped in cucumber with ponzu sauce)- Replacing traditional rice and nori with cucumber, the Original Lollipop Cucumber Wrap Maki is a fantastic low carb option loaded with flavorful fish! Slightly awkward to eat (think chirashi on a stick), but well worth the effort, this roll is perfect for summer and those looking to leave rice behind. The masago adds a welcome crunch and saltiness to this beautiful maki.
    Original Lollipop Cucumber Wrap Maki

    Original Lollipop Cucumber Wrap Maki

  • Morning Dew Soy Paper Maki (shrimp tempura, spicy crab mix and avocado)- The Morning Dew Soy Paper Maki is basically a Shrimp Tempura Roll that uses soy paper instead of nori. This roll is a great starter roll for someone looking to explore sushi without getting into the overly “ocean-y” flavors. The lack of nori and tempura battered shrimp tone down the typical seafood flavor, making this roll sort of a shrimp po’boy of sushi rolls.
    Morning Dew Soy Paper Maki

    Morning Dew Soy Paper Maki

It is also worth note that Stingray Sushi has some of the best crab mix we’ve ever had. Often overlooked, yet integral in westernized sushi, crab mix is easily over saturated with mayo. Stingray Sushi avoids this faux pas and serves theirs with perfect flavor and consistency making it the unsung hero in all of the rolls featuring it.

The great thing about sushi is that there is something for everyone (heck, even people who don’t like seafood can typically find something to enjoy). So we want to hear from you! Where do you like to go for sushi and what is the wildest roll you’ve ever had? Leave your comments below or use the hashtag #GeekEats!

*The Geeks were given comped items to facilitate this write-up; Information about the menu items was provided to us, opinions are wholly our own. View our Disclosure Policy for more info.

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