It has become quite popular to visit sushi bars for evenings out on the town. However, many people don't realize just how many rules there are to eating sushi, and how easy it is to offend someone. Here is some basic info for visiting your local sushi bar:
What is Sushi?
Sushi is NOT raw fish! The word "sushi" すし is a compound word, made up of the Japanese words "Su" す and "Shi" し. "su" means vinegar, and "shi" means rice. So if it contains vinegared rice, it is sushi.
What you may get at a sushi bar:
Sushi rolls:
rolls typically consist of rice, and some sort of filling (be it raw fish, egg, imitation crab, vegetables, or a mix), rolled in or around a piece of nori paper (dried pressed seaweed). When one thinks "sushi" this is generally what comes to mind.
Nigiri sushi (my personal favorite!):
Nigiri is the "open faced sandwich" of sushi. These are individual rice balls topped with generous slices of raw fish, egg, shrimp, etc. There is usually wasabi between the rice and the fish.
Sashimi:
Sashimi is simply high quality pieces of raw fish.
Hand Rolls:
Hand rolls are similar to regular rolls, only they are less structured, and aren't sliced into bite-sized pieces. Nori sheets are rolled into a cone which is filled with rice and other ingredients.
Etiquette:
1. Use your hands.
Contrary to popular belief, not all sushi is eaten with chopsticks. Nigiri pieces are finger foods, designed to be eaten with the hands. If you are eating sashimi, however, you should use your chopsticks.
2. One bite!
Sushi is meant to be consumed in one bite. It should not be cut.
3. Wasabi
Don't mix your wasabi into the dish of soy-sauce. Nigiri sushi is prepared with wasabi already, in the amount the chef feels is proper. If you like extra wasabi, ask the sushi chef to add some more while he is preparing your roll.
4. Don't pass with chopsticks
Don't pass food from chopstick to chopstick, as this is similar to a ritual that takes place at a japanese funeral, and can be seen as disrespectful.
5. Clean your plate.
It is considered impolite to leave food on your plate, so keep in mind what you do and don't like when you are ordering.
Keep these things in mind and you're sure to have a very pleasant dining experience. ^_^
What is Sushi?
Sushi is NOT raw fish! The word "sushi" すし is a compound word, made up of the Japanese words "Su" す and "Shi" し. "su" means vinegar, and "shi" means rice. So if it contains vinegared rice, it is sushi.
What you may get at a sushi bar:
Sushi rolls:
rolls typically consist of rice, and some sort of filling (be it raw fish, egg, imitation crab, vegetables, or a mix), rolled in or around a piece of nori paper (dried pressed seaweed). When one thinks "sushi" this is generally what comes to mind.
Nigiri sushi (my personal favorite!):
Nigiri is the "open faced sandwich" of sushi. These are individual rice balls topped with generous slices of raw fish, egg, shrimp, etc. There is usually wasabi between the rice and the fish.
Sashimi:
Sashimi is simply high quality pieces of raw fish.
Hand Rolls:
Hand rolls are similar to regular rolls, only they are less structured, and aren't sliced into bite-sized pieces. Nori sheets are rolled into a cone which is filled with rice and other ingredients.
Etiquette:
1. Use your hands.
Contrary to popular belief, not all sushi is eaten with chopsticks. Nigiri pieces are finger foods, designed to be eaten with the hands. If you are eating sashimi, however, you should use your chopsticks.
2. One bite!
Sushi is meant to be consumed in one bite. It should not be cut.
3. Wasabi
Don't mix your wasabi into the dish of soy-sauce. Nigiri sushi is prepared with wasabi already, in the amount the chef feels is proper. If you like extra wasabi, ask the sushi chef to add some more while he is preparing your roll.
4. Don't pass with chopsticks
Don't pass food from chopstick to chopstick, as this is similar to a ritual that takes place at a japanese funeral, and can be seen as disrespectful.
5. Clean your plate.
It is considered impolite to leave food on your plate, so keep in mind what you do and don't like when you are ordering.
Keep these things in mind and you're sure to have a very pleasant dining experience. ^_^
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