Foodies’ furious over M&S’s new £4 ‘sushi sandwich’ because it features chicken, bacon and avocado

Foodies have poked fun at Marks & Spencer’s new ‘sushi sandwich’ and questioned the ingredients used which include chicken, bacon and avocado.

Some even called the bizarre concoction ‘offensive’ for wrapping ingredients more suited to a BLT in rice and seaweed.

The take on Japanese sushi – which also features tomato, spinach and tangy yuzu mayonnaise – costs £4.

The chain has also released a soy and ginger chicken version for the same price.

They are supposedly based on Onigirazu – a Japanese rice sandwich which became popular in the 1990s after appearing in a manga comic book series Cooking Papa.

But consumers have labelled the £4 sandwiches an ‘atrocity’ after a video of the chicken and bacon one was posted to the brand’s Facebook page.

Junko Cooper commented: ‘You can’t call it sushi just because you used rice and Nori. We have something similar to this but never call it sushi. It’s rice burger.’

Jane Ruggles agreed and said: ‘Wrapping something in nori does not make it sushi! Cooked chicken and bacon? Hardly Japanese! Egads!’

Emily Wong said: ‘Maybe if you titled it ‘sushi inspired’ then that wouldn’t have made me cringe so much after seeing the ingredients list.’

Jody Lee-Pearson said: ‘Where’s the fish? It’s not sushi without the fish!’

Danielle Burton said she was ‘offended’ by the product and that it is ‘a post BLT with rice’ 

Danielle Burton said: ‘Wrong wrong wrong – I’m not even Japanese and I’m offended by your calling it sushi. This is a posh BLT with rice wrapped in seaweed.’ 

Sushi contains vinegared rice and is very often prepared with seafood such as tuna, mackerel and salmon. However there are also vegetarian options.

It is not the same as raw fish. Sliced pieces of this are known as sashimi and are sometimes dipped in sauces and often served with sushi.  

It comes a week after M&S was accused of cultural appropriation for launching an inauthentic ‘biryani’ wrap.

Last week, chef Maunika Gowardhan criticised M&S for using the term ‘biryani’ on a wrap that featured none of the ingredients in the traditional Indian dish.

As well as the chicken sushi sandwich, pictured, the highstreet chain has also released a soy and ginger version

Many people also pointed out that the £2.80 vegan wrap had been labelled incorrectly as ‘biriyani’ and not ‘biryani.’ 

Miss Gowardhan, who is the author of Indian Kitchen, said: ‘Just to put it in perspective, in India firstly there is no such thing as a veg biryani. Most places will serve mutton or chicken or even fish.

‘It’s wrong on many levels when people will assume this is what a biryani looks like.

‘Biryani needs rice, isn’t stuffed in bread and doesn’t include lettuce.’

Marks and Spencer has been accused of cultural appropriation by a top chef over a new vegan biryani wrap which includes no meat

Maunika Gowardhan, author of Indian Kitchen, tweeted a photo of the wrap which is part of the retailers Plant Kitchen line

However, the high street giant is adamant the new sandwich is a perfect choice for the nation’s sushi lovers.

M&S Sandwich Developer, Helen Brennan said: ‘The nation’s love of sushi sees no signs of slowing down.

‘We really wanted to offer customers even more delicious sushi options with something that no one else on the high street is doing.

‘The sushi sandwich is fantastic for sushi lovers, and those just starting on their sushi journey as the flavours are so accessible.

‘Could these be the new prawn sandwich? Only time will tell!’