Sushi overtakes classic sandwich as it becomes UK’s fastest growing premium lunchtime treat

Supermarket chain Tesco say that demand at it’s stores has grown so much that sushi has even replaced the smoked salmon sandwich as Britain’s favourite premium lunchtime treat.

Since the beginning of the year when Tesco launched its £5 Clubcard Meal Deal, sushi sales have rocketed by 90 per cent.

Included in the Premium deal, which offers shoppers a main, a drink and a snack, are a choice of sushi boxes, poke bowls and other pan-Asian delights such as gyozas and bao buns. As a result of the extra demand the supermarket now sells 21 million packs of sushi a year. 

Tesco Food to Go Buying Manager Emma Williams said: “This is the first time that we’ve ever put premium quality sushi in one of our meal deals and this has had a significant effect in making it more affordable and accessible for shoppers.

“Demand has also been boosted by people returning to work and it’s led to restaurant group YO! opening more fresh sushi counters in our stores across the UK.  

“Sushi has never been more popular and for a salmon poke bowl to  overtake our previous top-selling premium lunchtime staple, the smoked salmon sandwich, really underlines that.”

The concept of sushi began about 500 BC when south-east  Asians found that raw fish could be preserved by placing it between vinegared rice.

The process is believed to have arrived in Japan in about 600 AD and quickly grew in popularity as a delicacy.

Modern sushi, as we know it, originated in the 19th century when a street food stall holder in the Japanese city of Edo, now Tokyo, shaped vinegared rice with his hands and the added a slice of raw fish on the top.

It became an immediate hit and demand grew quickly throughout Japan to become the culinary artform it has become today.

The seaweed – or nori – which is still used today was later added to prevent fingers from getting sticky.

Besides being a tasty snack sushi is also nutritious with the strip of salmon commonly used on the top of it full of goodness. 

Salmon, which is considered a superfood, is an excellent source of omega 3 which helps maintain a healthy heart.

It’s also a good source of vitamins, in particular Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant helping to protect cell membranes and keep skin healthy while supporting the immune system.