Heat Eaters

S03 E04 · 2024-08-26 · 16 min

Mastering the Spicy Tuna Roll with Sushi Legend Masa Takayama

From grab-n-go rolls you find at supermarkets, to high-end versions at sushi bars, the spicy tuna roll is seemingly everywhere. In today’s episode, Esther Choi investigates what makes this legendary sushi roll so beloved. First stop: Sunrise Mart, one of the most iconic Japanese marts in NYC, for spicy tuna rolls. Esther links up with her good friend Sakuri Yagi, whose family opened one of the first East Village sushi restaurants and helped kick-start the rise of sushi eating culture in the 1980s. Then, Esther heads to the legendary Michelin-starred Masa for an extraordinary spicy omakase experience. Master sushi chef Masa Takayama pulls out all the stops in an effort to “make Esther cry” - from wasabi-laced nigiri, an extra spicy habanero-jalapeno tuna roll, and culminating with Masa’s spiciest Japanese curry, leaving Esther gasping for water.