The latest dining experience shared by the space station astronauts is sushi. One tray features shrimp cocktail on whole grain wheat crackers, while the other holds sushi made with seaweed, Spam, tuna, and rice. (ISS/NASA via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
Mouth-watering pictures show astronauts tucking into off-planet sushi.
The unexpected Japanese-influenced feast was enjoyed by the crew aboard the International Space Station.
It joins an expanding menu that has seen them create space fajitas, canapés and even burgers.
However, the internet is divided on the sushi on offer.
Comments online have included “That’s a very loose use of the word sushi” and a bruising review that reads “3/10 on earth. 10/10 in space.”
NASA detailed how the treats were made, along with an explanation of how the diners stop the food from floating off in microgravity.
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim showed off this sushi effort in June 2025. (ISS/NASA via SWNS)
They said: “One tray features shrimp cocktail on whole grain wheat crackers, while the other holds sushi made with seaweed, Spam, tuna, and rice.
“Both trays are secured with Velcro strips to keep them stable inside the Unity module’s galley.
“The shrimp and crackers are held in place by condiments, while the sushi stays put thanks to surface tension from its moisture.”
They added: “When you’re living in low Earth orbit for months at a time, your diet can be a little limited.
“Though we’re studying how to grow chili peppers and other veggies on the ISS as we prepare for long-term missions to the Moon and Mars, almost all of our astronauts’ food currently has to blast off from Earth in jam-packed spacecraft, and it has to be shelf-stable and mess-free.
“That doesn’t mean it has to be boring, though. Our orbiting crew chows down on meals from around the world, special space pizzas made with tortillas instead of pizza dough, and finger foods like the ones in this photo.