Can I use fish purchased from my local supermarket to make sushi at home?

Question

I would like to learn how to make my own sushi dishes at home, maki rolls for example. Tuna and salmon are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, I don't live in an area where I have access to much besides the local supermarket. I'm far from the ocean, and there are no independent grocery stores or Asian stores. Can I use the fish from the supermarket to make sushi? Ordering fish from online suppliers is a little out of my budget.
I've read about "sushi-grade" fish, and read that it only means its gone through a process of freezing to kill parasites. If the supermarket doesn't have fish listed as "sushi-grade" (which is likely given the location, ethnic food is not popular), could I freeze the fish myself to kill parasites?

My friend claims his uncle regularly eats raw salmon purchased from the supermarket with no preparation other than cutting and dipping in soy sauce.

Answer 1

No No No!!!!!!! If you want to make sushi, it has to be made with sushi grade fish. If you don't have a place close to you that has it, don't make it.

Answer 2

Hmmm... Ya know, the seafood department in my local market have absolutely NO IDEA where their fish comes from, nor how old their stuff is.



If the same is true where you are, I would not recommend eating the fish raw.



As far as 'sushi-grade' is concerned, it is the standard in all reputable sushi joints. Yeah, folks get ill eating graded raw fish too, but I figure there would be more folks dropping if all they had to do is to go somewhere for whatever is cheapest.



Would you pay that much for anything else?

Answer 3

Ask the butcher....if you have a Nob Hill, Raleys, Bel Air....the butchers are quite informed on their meat and should be able to tell you how fresh it is, it's grade and if they'd recommend it for sushi.

Answer 4

you should really just ask the bucher himself. good luck, sushi!! mmmmm.