
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
50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Starbucks Japan has a secret coffee press service that not many people know about
This standing sushi bar inside a Tokyo train station blew us away with its speedy deliciousness
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Textbook for learners of Japanese with boy who can’t stop eating roses may be the weirdest ever
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan creates a green tea slushie with sencha, apple, perilla and sansho pepper
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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