I think if I ever put that near my mouth I would throw up.
The feeling of it in my mouth would also make me vomit. And most likely make my poor eyes water.

Most of it is not all that bad NightBloom, but Uni would most likely make your lips quiver, your eyes water, and your very stomach TuRn topsy turvey... It's definitely NOT appealing to look at, and at most resembles a small brain wrapped up an a thin layer of seaweed. ACK! Uni is Sea Urchin, btw.

Not all of it is raw, a lot of it is steamed, it just depends on the concoction. Don't ask me though, I'm no japanese chef. Oh don't try the Uzura (Quail Egg) either from the sound of it... that is raw. You probably wouldn't like the samon roe either. Anyways most Nigiri is cooked, steamed, or prepared in some way, and is atop rice with a strip of seaweed. Sashimi is usually just the fish itself, cut up fancy, raw, and/or cooked too. Sometimes it can be just like grilling samon or trout and eating it texture wise.

Here this may help, a little bit of wasabi goes a long way (the light green horseradish paste). If you're worried about the taste of something, pinch off a good bit of it with your chopsticks and pack it on top before eating it.... BUT, then your poor eyes very well may water BIG TIME, and your nostrils up to your eyes will sting for a minute or two, but it'll fade. That way you definitely won't taste anything much.

Or better yet try it with the pink pickled ginger, that has a strong taste too, but then you're defeating the purpose enjoying all of the different flavours. Plus too much can make your stomach ache.

Oh well, Miso soup is the best! It shouldn't have tasted like water. Ginger dressing is tops with me too.

I've never tried it, but I really want to. One day soon I will.

Like most people have said, wasabi brings out a lot of flavour and really kicks up the heat. I like the soy and it brings out the flavours a lot too, but you have to get used to it.

i think i'm going to try sashimi in stead of sushi next time. i think some of the problem was that the sushi pieces were too big. i don't like big things in my mouth all at once. [insert obvious joke]. if there's too much stuff in there, i can't really taste it. i like to pick at my food and taste small bits of it, not shove huge chunks of stuff in my mouth. and i did try to bite off smaller pieces, but that really didn't work out.

so, next time; no happy hour starter+miso soup+sushi menu. just sashimi. and japanese beer. eeeep. i want to go TODAY.