
Believe it or not, sushi has been available in the US since the 1960s. In fact, the first American sushi restaurant opened in 1966 in Los Angeles. But while sushi is booming now, it took some time to really take off in the States and still isn’t necessarily a family-friendly dining option, with many kids (and adults) not so keen on eating the raw fish delicacy.
REACT, a light-hearted YouTube channel featuring kids, teens, and older adults reacting to a variety of things, recently released Kids vs. Food – SUSHI, a video showing a few American kids trying some popular nigiri sushi and some of these Japanese favorites didn’t all sit well with the kiddos.
▼ Do you remember the first time you tried these?
We have to hand it to the kids for being such good sports and eating all five kinds of sushi presented to them, most of which they’d never tried, let alone, seen, before. It took a lot more coaxing to get me to try ikura (salmon roe) for the first time.
It’s a good thing the kids kept on trying them though, since many of them found some sushi that they actually liked, despite having some qualms before starting. Their final vote for the best of the five were:
Tuna: 1 vote
Mackerel: 2 votes
Salmon Roe: 2 votes
Eel: 1 vote
Sea Urchin: 0 votes
None: 1 vote
▼ I think she likes it.
While those may have been their favorites, that’s not to say they liked them all. Along the way, they had some pretty funny reactions:
“The only thing good about this is the rice.”
“It tastes like saltwater in chicken.”
“There’s an emoji of this!”
“Oh, what’s that? People’s logic these days, having silver fish.”
“Too salty! It’s just making a bag of salt chewy.”
“Is this eyeballs?”
“This isn’t like any other sushi. These people have gone creative.”
Watching these kids try sushi was quite entertaining, but do you have any funny stories from the first time you or someone you know had sushi? Let us know in the comment section below.
Sources: YouTube/ REACT, HISTORY
Top Image: YouTube/ REACT


Funny reaction video shows Americans trying sea urchin for the first time
These beautiful pieces of sushi aren’t actually sushi
Japanese office worker gets fired, retaliates by making sushi out of business suit and iPhone
Japanese American tells of how she was teased in school, and the touching way her mom stepped up
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
WARNING! The Civic hatchback can’t drive through Evangelion AT fields, Honda’s lawyers say【Vids】
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Is Village Vanguard Outlet’s 2023 lucky bag filled with 60,000 yen worth of trash or treasure?
Osaka Obachan are here to rock your world, make sure you don’t go hungry
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply