
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
Japan announces sudden 500-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Ginza Happo: One of Tokyo’s best all-you-can-eat seafood restaurants is an extreme buffet affair
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Japanese merry-go-round has heartwarming backstory, is one of the best rides in Japan
7-Eleven Japan vs Family Mart: Who has the biggest convenience store cookie?
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events