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Etiquette Guide for Eating Sushi
Sushi bars in Japan are
commonly visited by patrons looking for a relaxing atmosphere
and to enjoy the company of friends – much like
a bar in America or pub in England. If you want to try
something new and exciting with your friends (and look
like an old pro) use this guide to learn the proper
etiquette of eating sushi.
Traditionally sushi is eaten with the
hand but is now commonly served with chopsticks. Whether
you use your hands or chopsticks you are expected to
place the whole piece in your mouth. While this can
take getting used to (and is more difficult with larger
pieces) you will find the combined flavors have greater
impact when eaten in one bite.
Many sushi fans enjoy the addition of
dipping their sushi in soya sauce for which a small,
shallow dish is usually provided. While etiquette dictates
that a person desiring more wasabi would ask the chef
to prepare the sushi with additional wasabi it has also
become popular (and accepted) to mix the wasabi into
the soya sauce for dipping.
While maki sushi and sashimi are conveniently
dipped with chopsticks you will find it best to flip
nigiri sushi (hand pressed rice with shrimp or fish
on top) upside down and dip the fish in rather than
the rice or it may fall apart. Using your hand, dip
the fish or shrimp into the sauce and place the nigiri
sushi into your mouth with the fish side being placed
on your tongue.
While some individuals like to add the
ginger to their sushi as a garnish it is actually served
as a palette refresher to be eaten between bites.
If you are sharing sushi with friends
it is polite to use the opposite ends of your chopsticks
to pick a piece up before using the proper end to eat
it with.
You may also find yourself served green
tea and miso soup with a sushi meal. Miso soup is a
clear broth with kelp and tofu. It may be provided at
the beginning or the end of the meal. Green tea is a
mild tea which will also freshen your palette between
bites. In addition (or if not provided) you may order
an alcoholic beverage such as beer or sake. Sake, which
is rice wine, is usually enjoyed before the meal rather
than during. While you may be offered refills throughout
the meal it is more typical to turn your glass over
to indicate you are finished.
Concerned about eating raw fish? In
most restaurants you needn't be however there are plenty
of options available. Shrimp (ebi) and crab (kani) can
both be cooked and so is the chicken and beef used in
sushi. If you are eating raw fish it should not smell
bad since fresh fish has very little odor. There are
many vegetarian options which means no one has to be
left out when experiencing sushi dining.
One roll of sushi (usually cut into
6-8 pieces) will cost, on average, about $3-5. You would
want to purchase about three rolls, minimum, for a meal.
You can also enjoy mixed sushi samplers or for less
cost a lunch box which will often include other dishes,
such as tempura, salad, soup or even teriyaki chicken
for $8-$10.
If eating sushi sounds appealing to
you or if you are just curious about sushi it is quite
likely that once you try it you will develop a taste
for it that will send you back again and again!
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