| So, you’ve decided to try sushi for the first | | | | Narezushi/ Funazushi |
| time. Good for you! Trying something new can be | | | | This type of sushi is hearkens back to the oldest |
| intimidating, especially if that something involves | | | | forms of sushi, but variations on the dish still exist |
| eating raw fish. It shows you have an | | | | today. Originally developed almost a thousand |
| adventurous spirit and an open mind, and going | | | | years ago as a way to preserve fish, the |
| into this experience with the right attitude is half | | | | technique for making Narezushi is lengthy, |
| the battle. | | | | involved, and to be frank, not very appealing to |
| Most people who are reluctant to try sushi just | | | | the average Westerner. As such, I will spare you |
| automatically assume they won’t like it. A | | | | the details, except to say that it is a process |
| few will even say, "I don’t like fish, period! | | | | which can take years, and involves preserving and |
| Why would I possibly consider eating raw fish?" | | | | fermenting the fish using layers of salt and |
| My normal response to this would be, "Do you like | | | | cooked rice, sticking the salted fish in a barrel for |
| tuna?" As it turns out, about 99 percent of | | | | six months or so, and repeating the process until |
| people, particularly those who say they don’t | | | | the fish is edible. |
| like fish, like tuna. | | | | Sushi Etiquette |
| What people who say they don’t like fish | | | | Besides being intimidated by the idea of raw fish, |
| really don’t like is fishy tasting fish. Tuna has a | | | | the other concern that first time sushi eaters |
| very mild, almost sweet flavor and is therefore a | | | | usually have is in actually going to the sushi bar or |
| good place to start when trying sushi for the first | | | | restaurant. They don’t know how to order, |
| time. Granted, raw tuna is completely different, in | | | | what to order, what the proper table manners |
| terms of texture, than the stuff that comes out | | | | are, or even how to use chopsticks. |
| of a can. The texture is closer to that of meat, | | | | Unfortunately, the latter is not something I can |
| and is a good choice for people who think they | | | | really help you with. It takes practice, and it’s |
| only like meat. | | | | best to get a friend to teach you. So that is my |
| When eating sushi, the trick is to not jump | | | | first piece of advice. If you are intimidated, go |
| immediately into the deep end of the pool. If you | | | | with a friend, preferably one who has been to a |
| are afraid of raw fish, begin with vegetable rolls, | | | | sushi bar before. |
| then try a sushi roll made of cooked fish (there | | | | But the truth is there are not a great many rules |
| are plenty of these, including the popular California | | | | involved, only a few customs which it might be |
| roll), and then move on to a mild raw fish, like | | | | polite to observe. |
| tuna. Don’t start immediately which a strongly | | | | Firstly, it’s a good idea to sit at the bar. |
| flavored fish like mackerel or salmon (unless you | | | | Seeing your sushi being prepared is half the fun. It |
| are already familiar with, and like, salmon). | | | | also gives you an opportunity socially with the |
| Misconceptions | | | | other customers, as well as the sushi chef, known |
| A common misconception about sushi is that sushi | | | | as an itamae. Order all your sushi from the |
| means raw fish. The word sushi actually refers to | | | | itamae, and anything else, including drinks, from |
| the rice, which is flavored with vinegar. The literal | | | | the servers. |
| translation of the word sushi comes from an | | | | Almost immediately after you sit down, it is |
| obsolete phrase meaning, "it’s sour." | | | | customary for you to be given a warm towel. |
| The term sushi encompasses a great many | | | | Use this to clean you hands before you eat. It |
| dishes, all of which include sushi rice. There are | | | | may be left during the meal, or taken away |
| wraps and rolls, pressed and formed items, and | | | | before the food comes. |
| dishes which simply incorporate various ingredients | | | | It is acceptable to eat your sushi using either your |
| scattered over sushi rice. All of these items are | | | | hands or chopsticks. If using chopsticks, they will |
| properly referred to as sushi. | | | | come stuck together at the top and need to be |
| Alone, slices of raw fish served in sushi bars and | | | | separated. After pulling them apart, rub the tops |
| restaurants are known as sashimi. Only when | | | | together to dislodge any splinters. |
| sashimi is placed on top of sushi rice does it | | | | If you are ordering any communal dishes that you |
| become sushi. | | | | will share with your friends or family, it is |
| Types of Sushi | | | | considered good manners to take the food from |
| Some common fish used in the preparation of | | | | the communal plate using the top side of the |
| sushi include: tuna, yellowtail, toro (a fatty cut of | | | | chopsticks, or the opposite end of the chopsticks |
| tuna), snapper, mackerel, salmon, kani. | | | | from that which you stick in your mouth. |
| For those of us who are squeamish about fish, | | | | If you are feeling adventurous, ask the itamae to |
| some vegetable rolls are available. Common | | | | prepare his choice of sushi. He will know what fish |
| vegetables used in sushi include: cucumber, | | | | is freshest that day, and what his specialties are. |
| avocado, asparagus, yams, sweet corn mixed | | | | The chef’s choice menu is known as |
| with mayonnaise, gourd, burdock, pickled daikon | | | | omakase. Many sushi restaurants offer a |
| radish, and fermented soybeans called natto. | | | | fixed-price menu. They are usually listed in order |
| Maki-zushi | | | | of price. Matsu is usually the most expensive, |
| Maki rolls are what most people think of when | | | | followed by take, and ume is the cheapest. |
| they think of sushi. Maki rolls are cylindrical pieces | | | | While there are no rules for ordering sushi, it is |
| of sushi formed with the use of a bamboo mat, | | | | considered good form to order sashimi first if you |
| and usually wrapped in a piece of nori. Nori is a | | | | are going to be eating sashimi. The delicate flavor |
| kind of dehydrated algae, or seaweed, which is | | | | of the fish is thought to be best enjoyed when |
| dried and formed into sheets. Nori is placed on the | | | | you palette is fresh. Beyond this, you may order |
| mat first, followed by a strip of sushi rice and | | | | as many pieces as you like as often as you like |
| other ingredients which may include vegetables | | | | until you are satisfied. |
| and/ or seafood. The bamboo mat is then used | | | | When you have finished your meal, thank the |
| to form the roll into a long cylinder which is cut | | | | itamae. "Domo Origato" is considered a very polite |
| into bite sized pieces. | | | | form of thank you. Tip the itamae well, and |
| Some maki rolls have nori on the inside with the | | | | separately, from the rest of the wait staff. |
| sushi rice being the outermost layer. These | | | | A Note on Condiments |
| inverted rolls are called uramaki. | | | | The most common condiments used in Japanese |
| Nigirizushi | | | | cuisine are: soy sauce, wasabi, and sweet pickled |
| Another common type of sushi, nigirizushi is a | | | | ginger known as gari. |
| simple preparation where a slice of fish, known as | | | | Soy sauce is usually served in a small bowl on the |
| a neta, is draped over an oblong mound of sushi | | | | side of your meal. It is considered polite to dip the |
| rice. Two pieces of nigirizushi are typically served | | | | fish side of the sushi into the soy sauce, so that |
| per plate. | | | | you don’t end up leaving little bits of rice in |
| Oshizushi | | | | the soy sauce. |
| A specialty of Osaka, oshizushi is formed using a | | | | Wasabi is a very pungent root similar to |
| block-shaped wooden mold. Fish and/ or other | | | | horseradish. In fact, most of the wasabi we get in |
| ingredients are placed into the bottom of the | | | | this country is an imitation form of wasabi made |
| mold, which is known as an oshibako. The | | | | from horseradish and dried mustard. Wasabi can |
| ingredients are then covered with sushi rice and | | | | be applied directly to the sushi or mixed into the |
| pressed, forming a block which is then unmolded | | | | bowl of soy sauce to your liking. If it is too strong |
| and cut into pieces. | | | | for you, you may decide to leave it out |
| Inari-zushi | | | | altogether. |
| Inari-zushi is a form of sushi in which a pouch is | | | | Gari, or pickled ginger, is a condiment that is not |
| made in a piece of fried tofu which is stuffed with | | | | applied directly to the sushi, but rather eaten in |
| sushi rice. This type of sushi is a great option for | | | | between sushi pieces to cleanse the palette. |
| people who don’t like fish, as there is usually | | | | Kosher Sushi |
| no fish involved. | | | | Sushi is gaining in popularity among people of the |
| Fukusa-zushi is a common variation on Inari-zushi, | | | | Jewish faith. Because there are specific rules for |
| in which a thin egg omelet replaces the tofu as | | | | kosher cooking with which the typical Japanese |
| the wrapper | | | | chef may not be familiar, kosher sushi restaurants |
| Chirashizushi | | | | have begun to spring up around the city to fill this |
| This is sushi in its simplest form. Fish and other | | | | need. Many ingredients commonly used in |
| ingredients are simply spread on top of a bowl of | | | | traditional sushi, including shellfish, are not Kosher, |
| sushi rice. This style of sushi makes for a heartier, | | | | so people who follow a kosher diet are advised to |
| more filling meal and is a good choice for | | | | eat only at kosher sushi restaurants. |
| someone who is particularly hungry. | | | | |