If you’ve just been introduced to sushi, it
may seem exotic and mysterious, with many
different terms and traditions that can be
baffling to outsiders. Here we’ve assembled
the questions we’ve found our customers ask
most frequently. If your sushi question
isn’t answered here, check out our library
of sushi-related articles or email us at
Ozaki@Allsushirecipes.com
What is sushi?
When most people think of sushi, they think
of raw fish. However, the fish in sushi
isn’t always raw—and the word sushi actually
refers to the rice. Sushi comes in many
different forms: as a small package of rice
and fish wrapped in seaweed, as a
cone-shaped handroll, or as a small sliver
of fish or shellfish placed on a pad of
rice. The fish can be raw—tuna, salmon,
yellowtail, and other deep-water fish are
usually served this way in a sushi meal.
However, it doesn’t have to be—eel, crab,
and shrimp are served cooked in sushi, and
sushi can also be made with vegetables and
egg with no seafood at all. The only common
ingredient throughout all forms of sushi is
sticky rice seasoned with vinegar.
What is the difference between sushi and
sashimi?
Sashimi is the fish without the rice. If you
order a sashimi plate at a sushi restaurant,
you’ll get raw fish, often artfully sliced
and arranged. It’s often served with shiso,
Japanese leafy greens, and daikon, a
signature Japanese radish. While sashimi
seems intimidating to those new to sushi,
it’s often preferred by sushi aficionados,
as the flavor of the fish is much more
prevalent and not muted by the vinegared
rice.
How do I eat sushi?
Sushi is served with soy sauce, wasabi, and
ginger. Wasabi is the green paste you’ll see
on your plate. It is very strong—a little
goes a long way, and some people can
tolerate more of it than others. Take only
tiny amounts your first time at a sushi
restaurant, until you know what your
tolerance level for wasabi is. Many sushi
aficionados mix the wasabi with the soy
sauce before dipping their sushi in it; this
will give you a more diluted taste. The
ginger is often eaten in the same bite as
the sushi, but many chefs will tell you it
is intended to be eaten after each bite to
clear your palate.
Where
do I sit at a sushi restaurant?
Many sushi restaurants have seating areas
identical to those at other American
restaurants—with tables and chairs. Most
also have a counter where you can sit and
watch the chef prepare sushi. When seated
here, you order your sushi directly from the
chef. Some restaurants also have traditional
seating areas—small rooms with floors lined
with tatami mats and low tables, including
cushions but no chairs. If you’re interested
in sushi preparation and want more
interaction with the staff, it’s better to
sit at the counter. If it’s your first time
at a sushi restaurant and you want to stay
with the familiar, it’s fine to stick with
table seating.
Can I talk to the chef?
It is permissible to talk to the sushi chef
(itamae in Japanese) if you’re seated at the
counter and he or she isn’t too busy. It’s
often a good idea to build up a relationship
with the chefs at your favorite sushi
restaurant, as they can prepare treats for
you that aren’t on the menu if they get to
know you.
Do I tip the chef?
When seated at the counter, you should give
most of your tip to the chef, because you’ll
be ordering directly from him. Give the
smaller portion to the waiter bringing you
drinks.
I can’t use chopsticks. Is it OK to eat with
my hands?
It’s fine to eat sushi with your hands.
Sashimi, however, should be eaten with
chopsticks or other utensils.
Is sushi good for you?
Sushi is very healthy. The Omega-3 fatty
acids in the fish are excellent for brain
and heart health, wasabi and ginger have
anti-microbial properties and other health
benefits, and sticky rice is a “low-GI” carb
that won’t spike your blood sugar as other
white rices tend to do.
Should I be worried about eating raw fish at
a sushi restaurant?
All raw or rare foods contain some risk.
That said, sushi-grade fish is not the same
as the fish you buy in the supermarket. It’s
been flash-frozen using a method that
freezes the fish in seconds, killing all
parasites and microbes. This makes it
relatively safe for raw consumption.
What’s the best way to introduce someone to
sushi?
Many people steer clear of sushi because
they’re intimidated by the raw fish. But not
all sushi is raw. If you’re taking someone
out for sushi for the first time, it’s best
to start by suggesting the cooked variety.
Given a few of these, many newcomers muster
up the courage to try the raw stuff—and
can’t get enough of it.
Here is a list of beginner-friendly sushi
rolls:
• Eel (unagi) rolls are always cooked, often
with savory sauces.
• California rolls are very easy for
beginners—they include crab (often imitation
crabstick is used), avocado, and cucumber.
• Spider rolls are fried soft-shell crab
wrapped in rice and Nori.
• Mackerel rolls often include pickled
mackerel, with a striking flavor.
• Shrimp is almost always cooked.
• Cucumber rolls and other vegetable rolls
have no meat at all—and are a very easy
place to start.
Have a question, comment, or
suggestion?Chef Ozaki
loves to talk with his customers—both at the
restaurant and online.Feel free to email him at
Ozaki@Allsushirecipes.com if you have any
questions—or any suggestions on how he can
make this site better
Find local
Japanese sushi bar restaurant at
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