Masuk Free Press

Masuk High School has recently introduced a new food item to the cafeteria: sushi. While the new addition brought new flavors to the cafeteria, students were weighing whether the premium experience justifies a price tag that is greater than the average school lunch. But how does this sushi compare to sushi served outside of school, and to students’ expectations of the new menu item? 

The cafeteria offers three varieties of house-made sushi, which were sold on Wednesday, April 8; Thursday, April 9; and Friday, April 10: the California roll, which features a crab blend, cucumber and avocado; the vegetable roll, which features fresh seasonal vegetables; and the spicy chicken roll, which features house-made spicy chicken.

Each roll of sushi costs $7.50 and contains six to eight pieces. The sushi is also served with pickled ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi. Students were also given the opportunity to try eating the sushi with chopsticks. 

The sushi was made fresh, directly in front of the student ordering. “I am going to be prepping it [the day before], getting all the ingredients, and then we are going to have it launch tomorrow, during all lunch waves.” Said Timothy Quartuccio, food service director, Whitson’s Culinary Group. 

On the sushi’s first day of sale, a long line formed in the World Market section of the cafeteria. However, the line moved quickly between the two chefs preparing the sushi. Students also went back up to purchase sushi throughout the lunch period. 

Unlike traditional sushi rolls, the rice is on the inside of the nori (seaweed) wraps, rather than on the outside. The method of putting rice on the outside of the roll rather than the seaweed (known as uramaki, or inside-out roll) was popularized in California to keep the seaweed hidden from customers who disliked the look and texture of seaweed on the outside. 

Students will also only be able to buy the sushi à la carte, as it is priced separately from the other food options served in the cafeteria. “It is as if you are going to buy an à la carte item, like an ice cream, or a drink, or [a] pretzel, or chips. So, you have to have money in your account to purchase this.” Quartuccio said.

Adding sushi to the menu adds a new item to the everyday mix; however, students have mixed opinions on the new item.

Masuk juniors Ciena Perpetuo and Olivia Maniscolco shared their opinions on the sushi. “I think the sushi was a very cool, different experience. Never had it here, at Masuk, before.”  Perpetuo said. 

“I think that [the price] is a little outrageous, if you ask me. It should be [the] normal price, as everything else for normal school lunch.” Maniscolco said. “I guess they did work hard to make the sushi, so if you like sushi a lot, then you can enjoy it with the price,” Perpetuo added.

“I don’t think I would buy it again, but it was good to try for the first time,” Maniscolco said, who ordered the California roll. 

Perpetuo also agreed that the sushi was good to try, but would not purchase it again.

Masuk sophomore Aiden Krynski tried the California roll, in addition to the vegetable roll. “It was actually really good. It tastes just like a J1 Sushi or Peking Tokyo type place.” Krynski said.

“If it was not so expensive, I would [purchase the sushi again]. Maybe I will go back and get one more roll later, but I do not know. I would be willing to try them if they were not as pricey,” added Krysnki. 

Krynski also agreed that the price was excessive. “I can go to J1 Sushi. I go to a luxury sushi place and get like a $2 roll. Here, it is $7.50 a roll.” Krynski said. 

The typical price for a roll of Sushi in Monroe, Connecticut, is around $5 to $9, depending on the location, type of roll, or if the restaurant has any daily specials. A lunch at Masuk High School currently costs $4.25 for everyday options, with special offerings (excluding sushi) costing $5.50.

As for whether the sushi returns again, Quartuccio is using multiple variables to determine if it returns or not. “I have to go through the numbers, price point, a lot of labor, and ultimately, depending on if the students eat it or not. If it goes well, then yes, I will definitely do it again.” Quartuccio said.

Overall, students have mixed feelings about the sushi. While students enjoy that the sushi is available and tastes good, students were also hesitant to purchase it again due to the high price point compared to other lunch options available.