What did Sushi A say to Sushi B ? WASABI ;) !

If anyone would do a survey on which cuisine dominate in shopping complex in terms of sale. I'm pretty sure it will be Japanese Restaurant. Sushi Zanmai, Rakuzen,  Sushi King, Sakae Sushi, Sushi Tei, and if you live in the world of 9gag -welcome to Hentai Sushi & Grille

Sushi, Sashimi, Salmon, Tuna, Ebiko, Tobiko are always accompanied with Soy Sauce and Wasabi.
But do you know what Wasabi actually is?

Wasabi is also known as Japanese Horseradish, it's totally a different plant from Horseradish.
Here's a picture of how Horseradish look like:

Wasabi is green in color and Horseradish is white in color.
Both equally ugly.

HOWEVER, do you know that most of the Wasabi you are eating are not Wasabi at all?

I meant any Wasabi you find in japanese restaurant, sushi chains, supermarket, powdered form, paste form, or in a tube. Most of them are fake unless you are willing to punch a hole in your wallet.

Most Wasabi you ate are actually mixture of horseradish, mustard & green food coloring. Check out the ingredient list in of Wasabi sold in supermarket. You will not find the word "WASABI" ,you will find the word "HORSERADISH"instead. So why Wasabi make you cry?

Real Wasabi doesn't punch you hard in the nose and make you cry like a girl!It's suppose to enhance the delicacy of fresh seafood. The reason Fake Wasabi punch you hard in the nose is because of the mustard in it.

Here's a picture of Freshly Grated Wasabi and Fake Wasabi.
- Freshly grated wasabi are  always abit rougher like the left, while Fake Wasabi is always smooth like the right.
You can find real Wasabi in High End Japanese Restaurant, but of course it comes with a price of few dollars for just a small piece.

Real Wasabi is always grated fresh as it aroma will be lost it left more than 15minutes. That is why Wasabi is always hidden in between sushi to prevent exposing to air.

Why is most Wasabi fake?
1. Real Wasabi is very difficult to be grown.
2. Which makes it high in demand.
3. Which makes it very expensive.
4. Short Shelf Life = Less Profit
5. Google "Why is Wasabi expensive" for more info!

So the next time you are eating Sushi off from a Naked Guy, before you pick up your wasabi and risk crying like a girl. I hope you will think twice of trying Real Wasabi at least once in your life time.
Unless you want to live like Austin Power.