So what exactly is Sushi? Sushi is a Japanese delicacy that is made using either cooked or raw fish and vegetables, mostly combined with rice that has been seasoned with vinegar.
Did you know that back in the days, eating Sushi did not drill a hole in your pocket? It began as a cheap quick snack! Also, the Sushi rice was not eaten, it was used to preserve the fish that goes into making Sushi.
It can be embarrassing walking into a Sushi bar and not knowing what to order, especially if you are with a date! So we have listed some of the main types of Sushi for you:
Chirashi
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Chirashi, basically means, scattered, in Japanese. And true to its name, it’s a mix of raw fish and garnishes topped with vinegared rice. Though the toppings in Japan may vary as to the region it comes from. It is easy and fast to make. The Chirashi is usually made on the Doll Day also known as Hinamatsuri, which is celebrated on 3 March.
Gunkanmaki
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The Gunkanmaki is made by wrapping roasted seaweed called nori around a ball of vinegared rice that is used to create a well like structure in which is filled with ingredients like sea urchin roe or uni, flying fish roe or tobiko, oysters and salmon roe or ikura.
Maki Maki
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Maki Maki is traditionally made with a sheet of nori, wrapped around a layer of vegetables, fish, and rice, and is rolled up using a special bamboo mat, after which it is cut into around 8 pieces.
The Maki Sushi rolls come in different styles and sizes, like Hosomaki, which are made with a sheet of nori and are smaller. They contain only a single filling of either tuna, cucumber or carrots and are rolled up with a rice layer. While the Futomaki is larger rolls filled with many ingredients. Whereas the hand-rolled Temaki are made by rolling a sheet of nori into a cone shape, then filling them with vegetables, fish, and rice. They are also too big to be eaten with chopsticks so are eaten with hands.
Nigiri
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A ball of vinegared rice topped with a slice of raw fish is what the Nigiri Sushi is. This too can be eaten with hands.
Sashimi
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Sashimi is technically not sushi, it is just the raw fish that is served raw. It is usually cut into long rectangular slices. Soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger are served on the side as condiments.
Having said that, most of the sushi is served with wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce on the side.
A few Sushi rules:
Also if you are ordering Sashimi, it’s generally ordered as the first course at a formal dinner.
Do not eat the ginger that is served on the side with the sushi. Nibble a piece of ginger between bites of sushi.
It’s poor etiquette to bite a Sushi in half, so eat the piece of sushi in one bite.
If you are still confused about what Sushi to order or pick from the bar go the omakase style. Meaning leave it to the chef!
