So this is your first time going to a sushi restaurant, or perhaps, you are on your first date and chose to have some sushi.
Are you concerned about the right way to eat sushi to avoid making your sushi chef angry?
Not to worry.
Here is your guide to eating sushi properly.
1. Just smile when you enter
Upon entering the restaurant, you may hear chefs or staff saying, "Irasshai Mase." (or Irasshai.) No need to say anything back in Japanese. Just say hello or greet back with a smile. They are just saying, "welcome to our establishment." It's just a Japanese custom.
2. Say "Itadakimasu" before the meal
It's Japanese equivalent of "Bon Appetite." It loosely translates as "I am going to eat" or "For what I am about to receive." It simply shows one's gratitude to those who made the meal possible (farmers, chefs, nature, etc.). Nothing religious. Everyone in Japan does this before they start eating their meal.
3. Sushi Bar is for Nigiri
If you want sashimi and nigiri, seat at the sushi bar. If you are going to order only rolls, especially American standard like California and Spicy Tuna Roll, I would recommend seating at the table.
Nigiri tastes best when eaten right after when it's made. That's the reason most sushi chefs prefer customers who order nigiri at the sushi bar.
4. Start with appetizers if you drink
Japanese sake drinkers find eating starch like rice affects the taste of sake, thus tend to avoid ordering nigiri and maki at the beginning of the meal. If you love drinking, start with appetizers and small bites first then order sushi later.
5. Put wasabi on fish
Instead of putting wasabi in your soy sauce, put wasabi directly on top of fish, and then dip into soy sauce when eating sashimi. This way, you can taste fish, wasabi and soy sauce separately, and then they will start to create a nice harmony of flavor as you chew in our mouth. Also, you can adjust the amount of wasabi for the second and third piece of sashimi. When eating nigiri, no need for extra wasabi since it's already added.
6. Omakase (chef's recommendation) is usually the best way to order.
Omakase translates as, "I leave it up to you." It simply means you are trusting the chef. Obviously, the chef knows what's best, so it makes sense to ask the chef to give you what the chef thinks the best for you. It's OK to mention your likes, dislikes, and budget.
Are you concerned about the right way to eat sushi to avoid making your sushi chef angry?
Not to worry.
Here is your guide to eating sushi properly.
1. Just smile when you enter
Upon entering the restaurant, you may hear chefs or staff saying, "Irasshai Mase." (or Irasshai.) No need to say anything back in Japanese. Just say hello or greet back with a smile. They are just saying, "welcome to our establishment." It's just a Japanese custom.
2. Say "Itadakimasu" before the meal
It's Japanese equivalent of "Bon Appetite." It loosely translates as "I am going to eat" or "For what I am about to receive." It simply shows one's gratitude to those who made the meal possible (farmers, chefs, nature, etc.). Nothing religious. Everyone in Japan does this before they start eating their meal.
3. Sushi Bar is for Nigiri
If you want sashimi and nigiri, seat at the sushi bar. If you are going to order only rolls, especially American standard like California and Spicy Tuna Roll, I would recommend seating at the table.
Nigiri tastes best when eaten right after when it's made. That's the reason most sushi chefs prefer customers who order nigiri at the sushi bar.
4. Start with appetizers if you drink
Japanese sake drinkers find eating starch like rice affects the taste of sake, thus tend to avoid ordering nigiri and maki at the beginning of the meal. If you love drinking, start with appetizers and small bites first then order sushi later.
5. Put wasabi on fish
Instead of putting wasabi in your soy sauce, put wasabi directly on top of fish, and then dip into soy sauce when eating sashimi. This way, you can taste fish, wasabi and soy sauce separately, and then they will start to create a nice harmony of flavor as you chew in our mouth. Also, you can adjust the amount of wasabi for the second and third piece of sashimi. When eating nigiri, no need for extra wasabi since it's already added.
6. Omakase (chef's recommendation) is usually the best way to order.
Omakase translates as, "I leave it up to you." It simply means you are trusting the chef. Obviously, the chef knows what's best, so it makes sense to ask the chef to give you what the chef thinks the best for you. It's OK to mention your likes, dislikes, and budget.
