SUSHI

Know Your Sushi:

It can be intimidating walking into a Sushi Bar on a date and not know what to do. If you’re someone who’s hoping to learn a bit more about Sushi, we hope these solutions from our local Sushi Bars will answer some basic questions—starting with “what is Sushi?”—and go into detail on all the types of Sushi and Sushi Rolls, plus how to order and eat Sushi like a pro.

· As a general rule, dine at places with a good reputation for Sushi and know that price is not always an indicator of quality. 

· “All you can eat” style Sushi, while tempting, is not a sign of high quality.

· If most of the items on the menu are cooked rather than raw, then it may be a sign that the fish is either old or poor quality. 

· Check the temperature of the rice. Sushi rice should be served at room or body temperature. Cold rice is a definite nope.  

· Avoid soggy seaweed. If the hand rolls and Gunkanmaki are truly fresh, the Nori will be crispy and have a nice toasty flavor. 

· The display case with all of the fish should look pristine and organized, never messy. 

· Servers should be familiar with the menu and be able to knowledgeably answer any question you have. 

· If it smells fishy, turn around and leave. Just like when you buy fish from the store or market, if the restaurant smells off, then what they’re serving won’t be fresh or things aren’t being properly cleaned.

 How to Order Sushi

· If you’re totally confused about what to order, ask your server to help choose. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Unfamiliar with something? Ask. Want to know what’s best? Ask that too. The server will help guide the direction of your meal. If it’s a good restaurant, the servers will be knowledgeable and willing to help. 

· Leave it up to the chef! This is known as “Omakase” style of ordering and it gives the chef control over what is served. Why is this a good idea? Because the chef knows what’s best that day. That said, it doesn’t hurt to alert your server to any food allergies or preferences before handing over the reins. 

· Order one or two items at a time instead of everything at once, that way, if you get something you don’t like, you can adjust what you order next. And don’t be afraid to mix it up and try a variety of Sushi. 

· Don’t be afraid to belly up to the Sushi Bar. While sitting “at the bar” is not everyone’s favorite, in a Sushi Restaurant, it’s one of the best seats in the house. Here you’ll see exactly what the chef is creating and the artistry that goes into making your meal. It also puts you in direct communication with the chef if you have any questions or looking for recommendations.

How to Eat Sushi

· Use chopsticks to eat your Sushi. It’s also acceptable to use your hands, especially when it’s Nigiri or Hand Rolls. When picking up a piece of sushi from a shared plate, use the back end of your chopsticks to pick up food. 

· When not using your chopsticks, rest them on the ceramic chopstick holder. If no holder is provided, you can fold a makeshift one out of the paper wrapper from the chopsticks.

· The Pickled Ginger is eaten between courses as a palate cleanser and digestion aid. Don’t mix it with your Soy Sauce or eat it with the Sushi.

· When dipping a piece of Sushi in Soy Sauce, briefly dip fish side down. The rice is already seasoned with vinegar, so it doesn’t need the Soy Sauce. Plus, the rice will break apart if it absorbs any liquid. If the Sushi is already served with a sauce, like Unagi Sauce or Spicy Mayonnaise, then Soy Sauce is not needed.

· While traditionally there is no need to add any Wasabi or Soy Sauce because the chef has already applied the appropriate amount to the Sushi, nowadays it is common practice for diners, especially in America, to add Wasabi to their preference by either adding it directly to the fish or mixing the Wasabi into the Soy Sauce. 

· Eat a piece of sushi in one bite. It may be a mouthful, but it’s better than trying to bite it in half and it falling to pieces.

 Sushi Etiquette

 · Many Sushi Restaurants provide a hot towel before dining. Use this towel to clean your hands. 

· If you are sitting at the Sushi Bar, order your drinks and hot appetizers from the server. The chef will handle your Sushi orders. 

· Don’t order Soy Sauce and Wasabi if they aren’t already offered. Sushi is meant to be enjoyed, not buried under other flavors. In traditional restaurants, the chef will often add the appropriate amount of seasoning needed to highlight the fish. In that case, do not add anything and enjoy the Sushi as it is served. 

· If Soy Sauce is offered, then pour it into the small dish or bowl provided for the Soy Sauce. 

· Do not ask “Is the fish fresh?” as this can be seen as rude. Instead, ask what the chef recommends. 

· If dining in a traditional restaurant, eat Sashimi first, then Sushi.  

· Pickled ginger is eaten as a palate cleanser. Nibble a piece of ginger between bites of Sushi. Do not eat the ginger with the sushi. 

· When ordering Nigiri you should eat the rice that comes with it. Do not leave the balls of rice behind. If you want Sashimi, then just order Sashimi. 

· Eat a piece of Sushi in one bite. It’s poor etiquette to bite it in half, as well as prone to fall apart. 

It may seem intimidating at first, but knowing your sushi and all of the etiquette and information that goes with it means you’ll be rewarded with an amazing and delicious meal every time.