"Mexican Sushi": Born In Culiacan, Blowing Up In The US

Mexican sushi was born in Culiacán.  The legend goes like this...

According to sushi chef Ronaldo Guerrero, there was once a small Japanese style sushi cart in Culiacan.  Across the street, there was a taco stand. 

One day, a local customer was bored with tacos (I didn't know that was possible); he wanted something "different."

So the unknown genius decided to put some carne asada in his shrimp roll and boom...surf-and-turf Sinaloa-style sushi was born.

 

 

 

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A post shared by UMN Stories (@umnstories) on Jul 25, 2018 at 1:20pm PDT

At Culichi Town, where chef Guerrero works, you can get the "Guerrero roll", which has carne and pollo asado, bacon, cream cheese, avocado, and queso inside.  The roll is deep fried and then drizzled with cilantro and chipotle dressing.

You can also get the Norteño roll, which has serrano pepper...

 

 

 

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Ay nomas pa las cocas les recomendamos el nuevo #EnigmaNorteñoRoll de nuestros amigos de @culichitown @culichitown_misael @enigmanorteno @del_records_oficial ????????® ????

A post shared by ENIGMANORTENO Hay Otro ❓ (@enigmanorteno) on Dec 12, 2015 at 6:55pm PST

The surf-and-turf "Quesito" roll, which is deep fried and topped with melted Monterey queso...

 

 

 

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Van a querer #elquesito #tucasaamiga @culichitownmontclair1 #vamosadarle

A post shared by By(ItsMaurytime) (@culichitown1) on Apr 1, 2018 at 5:39pm PDT

And, of course, you can get a Hot Cheeto roll...

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ruby’s Sushi (@rgaxiolasushi) on Oct 10, 2018 at 5:48am PDT

Culichi Town, which started in Chicago and now has locations all over the US, claims to have been the first Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi restaurant.

But another restaurant also claims that title...  

The founders of Sushi Loco call themselves "the original Mexican sushi".  They started in 2011 with a sushi cart they bought in TJ and called "Sushi-Island".  Now they have two restaurant locations and have been featured on Univision.

 

 

 

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Who wants to ROLL with us?!? . . . . Tag a sushi lover ????????

A post shared by SERVICIO & CALIDAD???? (@sushiloco1) on Jun 27, 2018 at 9:29pm PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by SERVICIO & CALIDAD???? (@sushiloco1) on Jul 2, 2018 at 4:41pm PDT

Either way, "Sinaloa-style" sushi is popping up all over the place...

 

 

 

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Ven y disfruta de nuestros deliciosos platillos #barrafria #barracaliente y Sushi Estilo SINALOA te esperamos ‼️MÚSICA en VIVO de jueves a Domingo ???????????? #elculichivip @el_culichi_vip_gilroy @el_culichi_vip #ambientefamiliar

A post shared by Sushi&Mariscos Estilo Sinaloa???? (@el_culichi_vip_) on Jun 7, 2018 at 2:59pm PDT

Serving not just deep fried surf-and-turf sushi, but also "natural" rolls...

 

 

 

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Agua Chiles Roll & Dodger Game happening now!

A post shared by Agua Chiles Sushi Bar (@aguachilessushi) on Oct 17, 2018 at 3:52pm PDT

Some spots don't claim Sinaloa.  El Tataki calls itself Mexican-Japanese fusion...

 

 

 

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????????Firing up three rolls at once!! Come try our Delicious Cali Bomber Roll at El Tataki Sushi #rollwithus #eltatakisushi . ????️Double Tap if YOU LOVE SUSHI ????️ ????️Tag a friend WHO LOVES SUSHI????️ . . . . . . . . #eltatakisushi #sushilover #sushitime #sushi #food #azfoodie #sushibar #rollwithus #instasushi #foodporn #eat #sushidate #foodgasm #sushibar #dinner #lunch #foodphotography #foodporn #restaurant #art #foodart #foodstarz #sushiporn #sushiaddict #igfoods #foodpics #foodlover #sharefood #foodofthedaytv #phoenix #avondale #glendaleaz

A post shared by El Tataki Sushi (@eltatakisushi) on Jul 8, 2018 at 7:22pm PDT

Some places specialize in sushi "burritos"...

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sushirrito® (@sushirrito) on Mar 29, 2018 at 2:21pm PDT

But all the Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi spots also serve traditional platillos de mariscos...

 

 

 

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A post shared by SERVICIO & CALIDAD???? (@sushiloco1) on Aug 19, 2018 at 10:01am PDT

And forget the sake, these spots all serve up cervezas, micheladas, mangonadas and margaritas.

 

 

 

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A post shared by SERVICIO & CALIDAD???? (@sushiloco1) on Jul 11, 2018 at 7:48pm PDT

 

 

 

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Happy Friday everyone, cheers! ✨(featured: mangonada and cucumber jalapeño cocktails)

A post shared by Agua Chiles Sushi Bar (@aguachilessushi) on Sep 7, 2018 at 11:58am PDT

And it's not just Mexicanos who are excited about it...

 

 

 

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SUSHI AND TACOS. What could be better. Both were good and I’m shook about it

A post shared by Mary Di Leo (@mary_di_leo) on Jan 13, 2018 at 7:30am PST

 

 

 

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thursday night sushi ritual at the mexican restaurant

A post shared by Hannah Kroonblawd (@hlkroonblawd) on Sep 7, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

So, this weekend, enjoy some banda and a Modelo with your deep-fried carne asada sushi.  Arriba Sinaloa!