Lately it seems like there is a huge fad going on concerning sushi. There is a good chance that no matter whom you ask that person has most likely tasted some kind of this Japanese cuisine.

However, I personally know there are still a few of you out there who have not had this delicious food and are a bit hesitant to do so. Hopefully a bit of my insight (even though I’m fairly new to the delicacy myself) will help calm your nerves and give you a little nudge to go out and try some.

The common misconception that I frequently hear (and even thought myself) is that sushi involves raw fish. The truth? Some sushi does have raw fish wrapped up inside it, but many types of sushi actually do not.

If you’re a big fan of shrimp, go out and try some Shrimp Tempura Roll. Love crab legs? The California Roll is the perfect sushi match for you. These two choices both involve cooked fish and are probably the least intimidating rolls for first-timers.

Vegetarian or not a big fan of fish period? You’re still in luck! There are plenty of veggie rolls to choose from including the most common – Cucumber Roll.

Now that you know about a few of the choices you have concerning sushi, there is another misconception I can clear up – good sushi isn’t always expensive!

So where exactly should you go to get good sushi at a decent price? If you’re in Philadelphia, stop by one of the few Mizu locations scattered around the city. Not only is their sushi to die for (and my personal favorite sushi restaurant), but their prices are extremely reasonable.

The prices do range depending on what you get, but for the simpler selections (like the ones suggested above) you can get a roll and a half (12 pieces) for an average price of $6.95.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice as well. The locations are small with only a few tables and a small bar, but the lighting is warm and the staff is exceptionally nice. They also arrange your sushi in different designs depending on how much you order.

If you’re feeling daring or just love to cook, there is also the option of rolling your own sushi. I had the opportunity to do so with a friend this weekend and the finished product was pleasantly tasty.

If rolling your own sushi is the route you’d like to try, I’d suggest doing so with someone that has rolled their own at least a few times before. Lucky for me, one of my friends has and we spent three hours on a Sunday afternoon preparing and cooking the ingredients.