You Ask We Answer

Culinary Mysteries Solved

Q. I'm learning how to make sushi at home. Where are the best places to buy quality raw fish?

A. Local foodies recommend Ippolito's Seafood (1300 Dickinson St., 215-389-8906) for their excellent tuna, salmon and fluke, and word on the street is they'll order pretty much anything you ask for with a day's notice. If you're in Reading Terminal Market, look under the "Eat Fish, Live Longer" banner and you'll find John Yi Seafood (1136 Arch St., 215-923-0487), which always has sushi-grade salmon and tuna. Same deal with the city's Whole Foods locations (2001 Pennsylvania Ave., 215-557-0015; 929 South St., 215-733-9788). If you simply must have your uni and giant clam, Catalina Offshore Products (catalinaop.com) will two-day FedEx anything your raw little heart desires; iced gel-packs included in the packaging ensure freshness. Just remember that sushi-grade saltwater fish is your best bet, as the risk of food-borne pathogens is much higher in freshwater varieties. Keep your purchases wrapped and refrigerated on a drainable bed of ice — a miserable case of self-inflicted sushi poisoning might kill your taste for maki forever.