
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 sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
How to make fancy matcha sake chocolates with just 15 minutes of real work【Recipe】
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Keep Gengar close to your heart with new black-coated Pokémon jewelry from U-Treasure
Eating “adults-only” potato chips sends over a dozen Tokyo high schoolers to the hospital
What’s so “Japan mind” about Häagen-Dazs’ new “Japan Mind” ice cream?
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
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