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
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】