Sushi Guide for Beginners: What To Try & Dining Etiquette

Sushi is one of the most popular and globally recognized foods today. From Tokyo to Toronto, you can find sushi restaurants packed with patrons who adore the taste and appreciate the health benefits of this Japanese delicacy. Although sushi has been around for centuries, its recent worldwide fame can be attributed to its universally appealing combination of vinegared rice, raw seafood, and vegetables wrapped in seaweed. This beginner’s guide will provide all sushi guide for beginners. We’ll cover everything from sushi’s origins, ingredients, and varieties to ordering tips, etiquette, and regional styles so you can fully enjoy and appreciate your first sushi experience. Let’s get started.

All About Sushi

To fully appreciate sushi, it helps to understand some history and context.

• Origins: Sushi began centuries ago as a way to preserve fish in fermented rice. It evolved into “nigiri sushi” (fish atop vinegar-seasoned rice) in the 1800s. The popular “maki sushi” (seaweed rolls) emerged later.
• Types: The main varieties are nigiri (slice of fish over rice) and maki rolls. There’s also:
  • Sashimi – raw fish without rice
  • Chirashi – scattered fish and veggies over rice
  • Inari – fried tofu pouches filled with rice
• Key Ingredients: Sushi highlights fresh raw seafood like tuna, salmon, shrimp. Rice, seaweed, veggies, egg, and sauces are also vital components.

Now that you know the essence of sushi, let’s move on to ordering!

Ordering Sushi for Beginners

Don’t get overwhelmed by the menu on your first sushi outing. Here are some tips:

• Key Terms:
  • Sashimi – raw fish slices
  • Nigiri – fish slice atop rice
  • Hosomaki – thin roll with single filling
  • Uramaki – thick roll with rice on outside
  • Omakase – chef’s choice assortment
• Beginner Picks:
  • Tuna, salmon, yellowtail nigiri
  • California roll
  • Veggie rolls like cucumber, avocado
  • Shrimp tempura maki
• Eel, sea urchin, and raw quail egg are more acquired tastes to try later!
• Ask your server for guidance if you’re unsure about anything.

Now let’s cover proper sushi eating etiquette.

Sushi Dining Etiquette

Sushi traditions offer an enhanced dining experience. Follow these tips for sushi success:

• Use chopsticks to handle nigiri and rolls. Place ginger or wasabi between fish and rice if desired.
• Dip only the fish side of nigiri in soy sauce, not the rice.
• Take only as much wasabi as you can handle. A little goes a long way!
• Eat sushi pieces in one bite if possible.
• At a sushi bar, plates are often shared; it’s fine to grab what you want.
• Be adventurous, but don’t feel pressured to eat anything that you don’t enjoy!

Ready to take your sushi experience to the next level? Let’s explore what lies beyond the basics.

Exploring Sushi

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, consider trying:

• Regional styles:
  • Oshi-zushi (pressed sushi) – Kansai
  • Chirashi-zushi (scattered sushi)- all over Japan
  • Temaki (hand rolls) – casual, everywhere
  • Gunkan-maki (battleship sushi) – Nagoya
• Creative fusion:
  • Inside-out rolls with non-traditional fillings and toppings
  • Rainbow rolls with assorted fish
  • Dynamite rolls with spicy mayo
• Vegetarian sushi: cucumber, pickled daikon, inarizushi, natto rolls
• Adventurous sushi: uni (sea urchin), toro (fatty tuna), ikura (salmon roe)

Got questions before taking the plunge? Read on for some common FAQs.

Conclusion: Sushi Guide for Beginners

Here are the main takeaways for sushi beginners:

• Start with rolls and basic nigiri to get accustomed to flavors
• Pay attention to etiquette, but don’t stress
• Learn the menu terms to feel informed when ordering
• Try adventurous items when you feel ready
• Most importantly, have fun exploring new flavors and textures!

Sushi offers an endless array of tastes and styles to discover. With this beginner’s guide, you now have a solid foundation for navigating the wonderful world of sushi. Grab some chopsticks and your sense of adventure to begin your sushi journey today!

Christine Hà

Hello! I’m Christine Ha – a food nerd in love with eating, cooking, photography, science, and culture.

Vietnamese food was always on the table when I was a kid, but I didn’t really care for it until my late teens (what a waste!). I was a super picky eater and mostly just wanted fast food. Somewhere down the line I flipped a switch, and now home-cooked food is something I appreciate so much more. ⮕About me