Interesting Tidbits: Not Quite Sushi

 In the western world, sushi has only recently boomed in terms of popularity. We're looking at a less than 10 year timeline here, from which it went to almost unheard of to a common get-together meal. I recall hearing that in the recent years "Sushi" has even become a trend in the naming of pets. How's that for popular.
 In reality, though, what passes for sushi outside of Asia isn't quite the same as the authentic thing. Here, Sushi conjures the image of a sliced piece of raw fish atop a small slab of rice. Two pieces for 1.50$-ish.

Aala indulging in sushi.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Western interpretation too. It's better suited for the local taste, and I get that. But it's almost a completely different thing. California rolls and Kamikaze rolls stuffed with a billion different tastes that explode in your mouth is a real enigma when compared to the simple, almost minimalist taste of simple raw fish. Western sushi is as subtle as a firework going off inside a library.
 Most (affordable) Japanese sushi places are modest counter-type diners where you either order your sushi from a screen, call it out to one of the people making it in front of you (do you call them cooks if they don't cook?) or pick it up from a conveyor belt. To my knowledge, even expensive sushi places are quite modest in appearance and demeanor.