Sushi

What Sushi Means

Sushi (寿司) is a dish centered on vinegared rice, called shari (しゃり) or sushi-meshi (すしめし), which is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. The word "sushi" itself refers to the rice, not the fish. In Japanese, the term can be written in several ways: 寿司 is the most common, but 鮨 and 鮓 are also used. The original form of sushi, narezushi (なれずし), was a method of preserving fish in fermented rice; the rice was discarded after fermentation. Modern sushi, which eats the rice, is called hayazushi (はやずし) and dates from the Edo period (1603–1868).

Main Forms of Sushi

Sushi appears in several distinct forms, each with its own name and preparation.

Nigiri-zushi (握り寿司)

Nigiri-zushi is the most familiar type in the West: a small hand-pressed mound of rice with a slice of fish or other topping on top. The topping is called neta (ねた). A small amount of wasabi is often placed between the neta and the rice. The chef may brush the nigiri with soy sauce (nikiri), or the diner dips it in soy sauce.

Maki-zushi (巻き寿司)

Maki-zushi is sushi rolled in a sheet of nori (dried seaweed). The rice and fillings are placed on nori and rolled with a bamboo mat. Hosomaki (細巻き) are thin rolls with one filling, such as cucumber or tuna. Futomaki (太巻き) are thick rolls with multiple fillings. Uramaki (裏巻き) are inside-out rolls, with rice on the outside and nori inside; these are common in the West but less so in Japan.

Chirashi-zushi (ちらし寿司)

Chirashi-zushi is a bowl of sushi rice topped with a variety of ingredients, such as sliced fish, egg, and vegetables. It is often served at home and on festive occasions like Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) in March.

Other Forms

• Inari-zushi (いなり寿司): sushi rice stuffed into a pouch of sweetened fried tofu (abura-age).
• Oshizushi (押し寿司): sushi pressed into a mold, common in Osaka.
• Temaki (手巻き): a cone-shaped hand roll, made by wrapping nori around rice and fillings.

Sushi Etiquette at the Counter

Eating at a sushi counter is a direct experience with the chef, and there are clear expectations for behavior.

Using Chopsticks or Hands

Nigiri-zushi is traditionally eaten with the fingers, not chopsticks. Picking up a piece with your hand is perfectly acceptable and often easier. Chopsticks are used for maki and sashimi. If you use chopsticks, hold them properly and never rub them together, as that implies the chopsticks are cheap and splintery.

Dipping in Soy Sauce

Dip the fish side of nigiri into soy sauce, not the rice side. The rice will absorb too much soy sauce and fall apart, and the chef's seasoning is lost. If the chef has already brushed the sushi with sauce, do not dip it at all. Use a small amount of soy sauce; wasting it is considered rude.

Eating in One Bite

Sushi is meant to be eaten in one bite, so it is sized accordingly. If a piece is too large, it is acceptable to ask for it to be made smaller, but do not bite a piece in half and put the rest back on your plate.

Ginger and Wasabi

Pickled ginger (gari) is a palate cleanser between different pieces of fish, not a topping. Eat a small piece between sushi. Wasabi is already placed in nigiri by the chef; adding more is a matter of taste, but it can be seen as a slight to the chef's balance.

Conversation and the Chef

It is polite to greet the chef with "Irasshaimase" (いらっしゃいませ) when you enter, though the chef will usually say it first. You can order omakase (おまかせ), meaning "I leave it to you," which shows trust in the chef. If you want to compliment the chef, say "Oishii" (おいしい) or "Umai" (うまい). Do not ask for a fork unless you genuinely need one; sushi is a finger food.

Paying the Bill

At a counter, you may be asked if you want to stop ordering. When you are finished, say "Oaiso" (おあいそ) to ask for the bill, or simply say "Gochisōsama deshita" (ごちそうさまでした) to thank the chef. Payment is usually made at the counter or at the register, depending on the restaurant.

Common Misconception

Many people believe sushi means "raw fish." In fact, sushi refers to the vinegared rice. Raw fish served without rice is called sashimi (刺身), which is a separate dish. Sushi can also be made with cooked ingredients, such as eel (unagi) or egg (tamago).