Sushi safe to eat in Loma Linda and Redlands

Sushi aficionados need not worry - it’s safe to eat all the sashimi, nigiri and hand rolls you desire in the Loma Linda and Redlands area without worrying about radiation.

“We’ve had a lot of people call us or come in and ask us if we are getting our fish from Japan, where there is radiation,” said Herin Choi, owner of Okiyama Sushi in Redlands. “No, we don’t have our fish flown over here. Most of our fish comes from cold water in Canada. Nothing comes from Japan, except for dry items. Those items come in containers that are very big, so we don’t have to buy them often.”

Choi reassures her customers that any goods coming out of Japan are thoroughly inspected.

“Items have to pass through customs, and they are so strict,” she said. “Right now, whoever is ordering items, their money is stuck there, and they aren’t releasing anything.”

Okiyama has been on west State Street in the space formerly occupied by Cafe Society for five-and-a-half years. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, and Choi and Okiyama chef James head to Los Angeles several times a week, leaving at 4 a.m. to get the freshest selection of quality fish.

“We go to a large market that also sells fruits, vegetables and flowers,” said Choi. “Our customers get very spoiled, because we have such good quality fish. We use Scottish salmon, which has a more buttery flavor.”

Chef James also takes great care to ensure that Okiyama’s food is handled and stored properly.

“He throws away rice at the end of the day instead of re-using it,” Choi said. “He doesn’t stack the fish at the sushi bar, and makes sure that he doesn’t have to open and shut the refrigerator all the time, changing the temperature. He takes it very seriously.”