Courtesy of Megan Moore

The Memorial Union’s newest addition to the food court is officially open for business. Sushi Do opened to the public Monday with free samples of the spicy California roll for students.

While Monday’s opening was said to have been a soft launch, with the official opening set for early October, Sushi Do employees confirmed that the establishment has commenced business. 

“Most kids still don’t know we’re open yet,” Sushi Do employee Ban Dhin said.

In the first days of business, Sushi Do employees noted that some of the early student favorites have been the mega California roll and the crunchy Iowa roll.

“All of the milk teas have been a hit too,” Sushi Do employee Mala So said.

In the first days of business, student feedback on the new option has been generally positive.

Freshmen Selena Gonzalez, biology major, and Dashing Boston, pre-integrated studio arts major, decided to give Sushi Do a shot on its inaugural opening day.

“It just opened and I love sushi so we had to give it a try,” Boston said.

Boston purchased the California roll and was impressed, scoring it an 8/10.

“I’m not typically a fan of sushi, but [Boston] suggested it, so I gave it a shot,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez ordered the spicy California roll which exceeded her expectations, giving it a 7/10.

“Putting it in the Memorial Union was a great choice, it gives students another option and adds to the accessibility,” Boston said.

Steven Sanbert and Jules Reos, patrons of the food court, decided to give the new sushi option a try after having difficulties finding a sushi place in the area that they enjoyed.

“There’s really no good sushi around here so I guess the Memorial Union decided to capitalize,” Sanbert said. 

Sanbert ordered the spicy mega California roll and scored it a 7.5/10

“I really wasn’t expecting too much, but for refrigerated sushi it’s actually pretty good,” Sanbert said. “It’ll definitely help recoup the loss on the gelato place.”

Reos purchased both the rainbow roll and seaweed salad, giving it a collective score of 7/10

“It’s new and I’m so sick of Panda Express already, ” Reos said. “Also it’s a great use for Dining Dollars and Flex Meals.”

Senior in integrated studio arts Jazmin Terrell and sophomore in history Mikenna Williams decided to hop in line at Sushi Do after a friend who works in the Memorial Union told them about the new option.

Terrell ordered the salmon lover roll and was pleasantly surprised, giving it an 8/10.

“We’re big sushi fans so we had to give it a try,” Terrell said.

Overall, Sushi Do seems to have received the seal of approval from a majority of its student customers. With an extensive menu, the Memorial Union’s newest addition to the food court seems to have something for everyone, even those who aren’t fans of sushi. 

“Students should know that not everything here is raw!” Dhin said.

Some of Sushi Do’s cooked options include tofu, chicken bowls and fried dumplings. With a wide variety of both cooked and uncooked favorites, Sushi Do provides Iowa State students with a fresh and healthy option to take on the go.