Some customs regarding how to enjoy sushi are unfamiliar to even some Japanese people. Two methods of eating sushi exist: with chopsticks or by hand. In the 19th century, a sushi dish would have been fast-food-like, consumed mostly by hand. But it is customary nowadays for the chopsticks to be used more.
Enjoying Sushi With Chopsticks
In enjoying the sushi, first with chopsticks, you actually flip the sushi upside down to dip the fish or topping part into the soy sauce. If not, it will be too salty. It is basically the fish that gets the soy sauce while the rice gets none lest it becomes too salty.
But for a beginner, flipping over the sushi with your chopsticks is quite difficult, particularly for Westerners who are not accustomed to using chopsticks. You may use your hand.
How to Enjoy Sushi by Hand?
With your hand, grab the sushi and flip it upside down using your thumb, forefinger, and middle finger, so that the fish can land on your tongue first. Many say this is the best way to eat sushi. Savor the freshness of the fish first, and you’ll enjoy each piece fully.
Proper Step-by-Step
For the full cultural experience, all steps should be adhered to carefully and in order. First, we begin with the delicate taste of white fish, only to end with some stronger flavors that fatty tuna would have. This is because, having eaten richer fish like tuna and conger eel, one will no longer appreciably enjoy the mild flavors of white fish.
Sea bream and flatfish are two delicious examples of white fish common in sushi restaurants in Japan. These selections are perfect for the start of a meal, just like an appetizer. After mesmerizing the mouth with the mild flavors, the next thing to do will be enjoying tuna and other stronger, robust flavors. That is a common way to eat sushi; however, if you’re not into white fish or silver-skinned fish, you don’t need to follow this standard.
Wasabi With Sushi
Wasabi is included with nearly every sushi topping and sits between the topping and rice, playing an important role in how to enjoy sushi properly. You can request optional wasabi from the chef or take it directly from the conveyor belt at a sushi restaurant. Used sparingly, it enhances flavor, but the intense burning sensation from too much wasabi can be detrimental, so moderation is key. If you’re in the mood for fish without wasabi, you can ask the chef to serve your sushi without it by saying, “sabi-nuki.”
Don’t Forget The Ginger
Those flavors delicate in sushi might get mixed up with what you have in your mouth as a lingering flavor from the previous bite. Resetting the taste after just having the last dish is advisable by following “ginger” or “gari” because it is not unusual in such cases.
“Gari” are thinly sliced parts of ginger that were marinated in sweet vinegar. It refreshes the palate with its sweet yet tangy flavor, clearing the last taste from the mouth, leaving you invigorated after a piece of sushi and excited for the next one. Gari has a sterilizing effect. And that’s usually in a black or red box in front of every dining table, and it’s healthy!
Try Sushi on a Train
All kinds of sushi are placed in small portions on a conveyor belt in the kaiten sushi (the conveyor belt sushi restaurant) for customers, making it an easy and approachable way to learn how to enjoy sushi at your own pace. A customer can take a plate from the conveyor belt and then enjoy eating it along with other plates using chopsticks and soy sauce on the side.
This kind of sushi restaurant is cheaper than traditional ones because of the semi-self-service setup of the conveyor belt sushi system. Its regular items usually cost around 100 yen to 300 yen per plate, with different plate colors representing different prices. Most of the time, each plate contains two pieces of sushi.
Order them if you would like soup or a drink. How to do this varies shop to shop, usually with either an order form on the table with a built-in computer device or a touch-screen tablet menu. Pick what you want and the amount, and if there’s a paper slip, give it to the staff. If you want an extra fresh piece of sushi, you can always request that, even if it’s on the conveyor belt. This will take longer, though.
Final Thoughts
While eating sushi in Japan, the culture dictates that one is to have it the right way, so that one can receive the full cultural experience. You don’t have to be overly concerned about the rules, though! Simply go to a sushi shop in Japan, soak in the ambience, and treat yourself to some good sushi.
You know what? Lucky you, it’s time to savor sushi the way it was meant to be enjoyed, between appreciative silence, rather than expectations of stress because of traditions about how each piece should be prepared and served.
Come to visit Sushi Inc. to discover how to enjoy sushi the right way and experience its true taste. Let our aptly shaped sushi take you through authentic flavors rooted in the rich culture of sushi. Loosen up and immerse yourself in the world of sushi—whether you appreciate its long history or are just beginning your journey. We’re ready to share the difference with you today.
Are You Hungry? Visit Sushi Incorporated Today!
Sushi Inc. is a vibrant restaurant that offers what is considered the best sushi in St Pete. Opening its doors in 2013 and becoming a local staple by offering live music, traditional hand-rolled sushi, and a friendly atmosphere, our guests always have a top-notch experience. Customers love our award-winning, fresh, and creative Sushi rolls, Nigiri, and Sashimi. With a larger selection of tempura, non-sushi, Japanese, and teriyaki options, we can accommodate every taste in downtown St Petersburg FL. Contact us today to set your reservation or if you have any questions. When setting any reservations, please inform us of any allergies you might have and ask for alternative options.
