Kooki Sushi Madness
December 18, 2006
A little while back I posted a one-sentence Hitorigoto post about Kooki Sushi, and joked that I might have to order some for research. And then the coolest thing happened — they sent me some to try! The only thing I promised in return was to write a review. So here is my completely unbiased review of Kooki Sushi. And considering all the hub-bub about bloggers being paid for reviews and not disclosing it, let me restate that I have not been paid for this review, but I was provided with complimentary samples.
Apricot Row Ikura
The apricot row was my first bite of the Kooki Sushi, because Ikura (Salmon Roe) is one of my favorite kinds of sushi. I loved the crunch of the sweet rice cookie, a bit like a really fancy Rice Krispie Treat, and the way it blended with the chocolate wrapper. Then I hit the gummy apricot row. And, well – it was kind of like having a gummy bear covered Rice Krispie Treat. But what’s weird is it kind of worked. I liked the flavor of the apricot row, but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to eat this one again. But – it’s so gorgeous I think I can forgive the strange texture sensation.
Christmas Kozara
The cucumber ones were sweet, but without any strong flavors. The salmon rolls had a surprising kick to them. I had the salmon after the cucumber, so I wasn’t expecting the spicy surprise. I really liked the spicy roll. I’d definitely recommend eating the cucumber first and then the salmon, so you don’t wonder why the cucumber seems so mild. Of course, that’s the way it would be with real sushi too. The texture of the rice works really nicely in this treat. The green tea flavored “wasabi” made a nice palate cleanser before moving on to the ginger flavored ginger, and finishing off with a nibble from the white chocolate plate. I would definitely order this one for myself and as a gift. I think the white chocolate plate probably makes for a better presentation, but I’d opt for the dark chocolate just because I prefer dark chocolate!
Lemon Egg Tamago
Another one of my favorite sushi choices is Tamago. I love the unique flavor and texture of the Japanese sushi omlet, so I bit into the chocolate version with great anticipation. At first my mouth was disappointed, as the texture is of course nothing like Tamago. But – there was a strong finish. The creamy lemony goodness won over my taste buds, and once again – I’m a sucker for the Rice Krispie Treat-esque cookie.
Chocosticks
The chocosticks were a lovely little diversion. They are definitely stunning to look at. The one issue I found with this treat was that the gold powder that makes them all pretty and shimmery – comes off all over your fingers.
Chocolate Nigri Insanity
After the chocosticks, I slowly made my way through the rest of the samples – over several days. These are definitely not candy that you sit down and eat it all in one sitting. The quality of everything was very good. Some, like the “octopus,” I didn’t care for because of the flavor. What can I say, I don’t like coconut-flavored things very much. The Ebi, Shrimp, had promise – but was a bit too sweet for me. I think that had to do with the white chocolate. It tends to have a sharper sweetness than dark chocolate. The tiny little SUEDY’s Shoga, was another lovely standout. The ginger flavor seems to balance the sweetness of the white chocolate nicely, and the equal balance of the crispy rice cookie really helped this stand out. What’s funny is that it’s a garnish. It’s like having a fancy meal and saying the parsley was your favorite part!
I’ll give the overall experience a thumbs-up, and I did have to work to keep my chocolate-loving husband from eating it all without me. The presentation was gorgeous and there were definitely no corners cut. I liked it enough that I immediately purchased some as a gift for a sushi-loving friend. Whether you like the candy or not will depend on your personal taste and affinity for white chocolate and the specific flavors. I think that this will be lost on someone who does not really love sushi. Understanding the Japanese art of sushi, while not necessary, certainly adds to the overall experience. The artistry and care with which this confection is created is evident, and should be shared with someone who will appreciate and recognize it.
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