Omakase, Unagi Oshizushi (pressed sushi), and Futomaki at Sushi Wacogoro, Helsinki FINLAND

Omakase - Maki and nigiri combination

Unagi Oshizushi (Pressed sushi)

Back Row: Hotate (Scallop) and Koji (Grilled) Salmon Nigiri
Middle Row: Futomaki (big roll)
Front Row: Sake Oshizushi  

While visiting Helsinki, I was exciting to visit Sushi Wacogoro for lunch. While looking through Helsinki's recommended restaurants, there are many Japanese restaurants to choose from. However Sushi Wacogoro's 5 Yelp-star status really makes me wonder. While reading about the background of the restaurant, it is actually owned by a Japanese family who moved to Helsinki for more than 4 years, solely to seek an opportunity in sushi business. 



My friends and I planned to call in and reserved a table to make sure we can dine in without missing any chances!

Locating on an empty cold Helsinki street, a small sushi shop with green banner appears right in the middle. (on the left side of the street, see photo below)

Runeberginkatu Street on a gloomy 
New Year's Day, sushi shop on the left side

Shop front with entry on the left side

Comparing to the gloomy, cold weather outside, it is clean and bright inside the small shop. There are only 3 tables in the although most people order to-go. The family also has a child, who was staying at the shop throughout the entire time.

Server preparing tea

A nice set of chopsticks and small plate with bunny decoration

Menu on the wall

I wanted to try a little bit of everything, so I ordered a Omakasa, which is a Japanese phrase that translates "I'll leave it up to you." Serving on a long wooden sushi plate, the sushi looks more appetizing and delicious! 

Omakase
Cucumber and salmon maki at the far end
Triple salmon nigiri, hotate, Koji (grilled) salmon, Siika (Finnish fish), and salmon nigiri

Oshizushi is something that I wanted to try a long time ago. Oshizushi 押し寿司 means pressed sushi in Japanese. It is made with a wooden box that specially for making the rectangular-shaped Oshizushi. Server specially told us there is cucumber and cream cheese inside, which I really hesitate in trying. I am not a fan of cheese, but it actually tastes really good with only subtle flavor of cheese while the eel glazing will eventually overpowering.

You might ask what is the difference between Oshizushi (box-pressed) and nigiri (hand-pressed)? Oshizushi is more dense which the advantage is to be able to add ingredients like cream cheese and cucumber that will easily loosen up inside the rice. It adds flavors and freshness to the sushi that topping or the rice itself can't provide.

Unagi Oshizushi (pressed sushi) with cream cheese and thin piece of cucumber inside

Futomaki 太巻 is a larger version of a maki roll. It translates to be "big or fat roll." Inside the roll, it has cooked salmon, unagi, crab stick, cucumber, and pickled daikon.

Futomaki - literary translated "big roll"

Wacogoro Address: Runebergsgatan 63, 00101 Helsingfors, Finland Phone:+358 40 0299415 Hours:  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 11:00am – 6:00pm 11:00am – 6:00pm 11:00am – 6:00pm 11:00am – 6:00pm 11:00am – 6:00pm Closed Closed Website: https://www.facebook.com/sushiwagocoro