IMU Market introduces sushi

Cheese and grease have a new contender vying for the saliva of famished IU students. The Indiana Memorial Union announced the addition of sushi to the list of alternative food options available at the Market yesterday by distributing free samples of california rolls, wasabi shrimp and halibut to sushi fanatics and sushi virgins alike. \nMaureen Brown, general manager of the IMU Market, said sushi appeared on the shelves of the IMU and the Main Library cafeteria in response to intense consumer demand. Every year, the respective food service areas on campus receive customer suggestions. In the past few years, the number of requests for sushi has increased exponentially. \n"All we saw was sushi, sushi, sushi everywhere," Brown said.\nSushi, in its traditional form, contains raw fish wrapped in rice and seaweed. But raw fish presents many health concerns because of the fragile "safe zone," or the small range of temperatures at which raw fish can be considered safe for consumption, Brown said.\nAfter visiting Japan, the previous owners of Okami, the company feeding IU's sushi craving, decided to adopt the practice of sushi street vendors. These vendors pre-cook the meat -- shrimp, crab and halibut -- before the rolls are made and packaged. This allows for a more lenient temperature range and ensures a safe shelf life.\nEach package comes with six sushi rolls, wasabi -- a spicy Japanese mustard -- ginger and a soy sauce packet. Some packages contain a mixture of two or more types of sushi rolls, which provides customers with an individual smorgasbord of sushi tastes. The vegetarian rolls, for those who choose to skip the fish, are never mixed with any type of meat roll. Edamame, another product sold by Okami, edamame, consists of steamed and salted soybeans. \nThe Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company is the largest seafood distributor in the Midwest. Steve Bough, sales representative for the company, said sushi has been a success with the college campus demographic. \n"When we did free sushi at the Cyber Cafe in the library, we went through 800 pieces of sushi in an hour and a half," Bough said. "Are we trying to put high-roller pufferfish in our sushi? No. But college students understand and want healthy food options, and our sushi is both affordable and healthy."\nSenior Jill Lowenstein stepped up to the display to sample a free roll. After flavoring her wasabi shrimp roll with a little bit of soy sauce, she popped the roll into her mouth. Seconds later, she was turning around in circles, frantically fanning her face with her hands.\n"It's strong," she said. "Very good, but strong."\nAnthropology Professor April Sievert was next in line to experience the new sushi option. A frequent sushi eater, she approved of the aesthetic qualities of the tightly wrapped rolls as well as the fact that each retail pack has a clearly marked expiration date to ensure safe consumption. \n"This is so much better than Burger King," Seivert said. "This is fantastic."\nSievert was then offered two complimentary packages for her enthusiastic reaction. \nThe sushi is on sale now at the Cyber Cafe in the library and the IMU Market. The packages cost between $4.50 and $5 each. \n-- Contact staff writer Allison Ricket at aricket@indiana.edu.