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Sushi Etiquette
• Yummy! If you like raw fish but are unsure how eat it, read on. • If you are new to sushi, you may find yourself quickly overwhelmed. A seemingly endless array of fish, rice, seaweed, and various accompaniments, often listed on the menu in Japanese, can make you feel lost and unsure how to proceed. • Sushi is a popular delicacy in America as well as throughout the world, and millions of people have successfully learned to navigate the complex choices. With a bit of knowledge and practice, you too can become familiar and confident with sushi. • Here is a beginner’s guide to get you started. Types of Sushi • Maki sushi is the term used for the various types of sushi rolls. It consists of fish, vegetables, rice, and seaweed rolled together and cut into bite-sized pieces. The fish is always placed in the middle, but depending on the type of roll, either the seaweed or the rice may be the outer layer. • There are also vegetarian sushi rolls available at many places, which substitute a vegetable such as cucumber in place of the fish. • Nigiri sushi is extremely popular. The dish consists of a hand-formed bed of rice topped with a thin piece of fish. This dish combines the flavorful nature of the fish with a beautiful handmade presentation. • Temaki sushi is similar to maki sushi. The difference is that the roll is not cut into pieces. A good temaki roll is wrapped tightly and creates a cone shape. • Inari sushi consists of fried pouches of tofu, called aburage, that are stuffed with sushi rice. Aburage is also used in other dishes, such as some miso soups. • Sashimi is not technically a sushi dish at all but falls under the same umbrella for sushi. Though we use the word “sushi” to refer to all the delicious stuff that is delivered to our wooden board at the sushi bar, the whole cuisine of fish, rice and otherwise, the word “sushi” actually refers to only the sweet, vinegared rice. If it’s just fish without the sushi rice, then it’s “sashimi.” Sushi and Chopsticks • It is important to use chopsticks properly when you eat Japanese food. Practice makes perfect! • Hold the upper chopstick with the index finger, the middle finger, and the thumb. • Put the other chopstick between the bottom of the thumb and the tip of the ring finger. • Move the upper chopstick only when you pick up food. Bad Chopstick Etiquette • Waving chopsticks above food dishes • Sticking chopsticks into food instead of picking them up • Picking up a bowl with the hand that is holding your chopsticks • Sucking chopsticks • Sticking chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice • Passing food from your chopsticks to somebody else's chopsticks. This is like “double dipping!” How to Pick Up Chopsticks 1. Pick up chopsticks by the thumb, the index fingers, and the middle fingers How to Hold Chopsticks 2. Support the chopsticks by the other hand 3. Hold the chopsticks properly Sushi Ingredients • The key ingredients of sushi are fish and rice. Not all sushi is served raw. Many sushi ingredients are actually cooked. For example, California Rolls feature cooked crabmeat. • You will be presented with a series of dishes that the chef feels best represent his skill and ingredients. • Sushi rice is another key component to a successful sushi dish. It is short grain and has a specific balance of starches that allows it to stick together. This stickiness is necessary for successful eating with chopsticks. The sushi rice is uniquely prepared and seasoned to make it the perfect accompaniment to the fish and vegetables. • Your plate may also feature some additional items, depending on the chef’s preferences. Wasabi is a very complex plant that has been termed “Japanese horseradish.” It is commonly served with a variety of sushi dishes. Gari is pickled ginger that may be any color from pink to tan. Sushi and Health Concerns • Seafood, particularly tuna, has made headlines lately due to a concern about mercury contamination. In addition, raw foods including raw sushi carry the risk of parasites. Raw seafood is not recommended for people with certain health conditions, young children and pregnant women. Raw freshwater fish is not recommended for anyone as it carries much higher risks. If you have any doubts or concerns, consult with your doctor prior to consuming raw sushi and remember that cooked items remain a safe alternative. • If you are reasonably healthy, the health concerns from sushi are minimal. Federal law requires that fish intended to be served raw be frozen according to strict guidelines to destroy parasites. Contaminants are not affected, however. Of course, much of the quality of sushi depends on its handling once it reaches the restaurant. It is worth paying more to patronize only sushi restaurants that are known for their high standards.
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Lisa M. Grotts |
