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“Do Japanese people eat sushi every day?”
The answer to this question is “No.” There might be few sushi fanatics who eat sushi every day, but not all Japanese people do, unfortunately. However, Japanese people do love sushi as people from the world expect! In Los Angeles, there are many sushi shops or Japanese restaurants that serve authentic and fresh sushi!!!

It was in the mid-eighth century that sushi, which is now loved all over the world, was introduced from Southeast Asia to Japan.  In the early time, sushi was popular in Osaka but looked differently.  The rice was tightly pressed in the wooden rectangular mold with the fish’s overlaying on the top.  It was called “Hako Sushi (in English, Boxed Sushi),” and was served as a square piece of cuts.  Later, the Hako Sushi changed its look into how sushi looks today, and spread throughout the whole country, from Tokyo.  At that time, nigiri sushi was mainly popular among men in the workplace.  Sushi was about three times as large as it is now, so it could satisfy and gave energy to working men.

After WWII, due to a ban on eating out, it was extremely difficult for sushi restaurants to operate their business.  During that time, some sushi restaurants survived the situation as rice and fish processing factories.  Customers brought in rice to exchange it for nigiri sushi.  The size of sushi became smaller around this time.

It is said that sushi is most delicious when the rice and fish pass through the throat together.  Sushi cannot be too soft that it collapses apart when grabbing it with chopsticks or hands, but it must break apart in the mouth.  The exquisite softness of sushi is only made by trained and experienced sushi chefs.  What is more, it is not just how to make good sushi, but sushi chefs also are checking upon how customers are doing, and control how to serve sushi.  Sushi chefs know that people tend to chew more when they are full.  They pay attention to the eating speed of customers to decide what, when, and how to serve the next plate of sushi.  Here, JapanUp! encourage readers to experience the real sushi, sitting down at the counter of a sushi restaurant!

In recent years, the revolving sushi is popular regardless of age for it is fun and reasonable.  Revolving sushi restaurant is where the plates with the sushi are placed on a rotating conveyor belt or moat that winds through the restaurant and moves past every table, counter, and seat, so customers can pick up whatever they like.  Revolving sushi has its history back in 1958.  A sushi chef guy, named Shiraishi, invented revolving sushi because he was too busy to operate his small sushi shop by himself.  He opened the first revolving sushi “Mawaru Genroku Sushi” in Osaka.

Nowadays, as sushi price goes down and more people eat it on various occasions, from special dinner for celebration party to casual quick lunch, there are not enough sushi chefs.  To meet the demand, sushi robots started to help busy chefs.  Sushi robot has invented, and the technology of the robot has been advanced considerably.  Sushi robots make nice and fluffy rice balls for sushi just like sushi chef does.  Many sushi restaurants install sushi robot, time-efficient machine, which is able to produce clean, delicious and perfect sushi with fewer people and less time.

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Types of Sushi

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Nigiri-zushi

This is the most typical form of sushi in Japanese sushi restaurants. It is made with a slice of fish, a small portion of vinegar rice, and wasabi pasted in between. Sometimes a thin band of nori seaweed is wrapped around the roll. In the case of roe, which is hard to place on top of rice, a thick band of seaweed is wrapped around the outside to keep it from falling out. Nigiri-zushi is most commonly served in pairs.

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Maki-zushi

Japanese cut roll. Maki-zushi in Japan is usually made with the seaweed on the outside. The maki-zushi we see in the U.S., with the rice on the outside, is called uramaki (inside-out rolls).

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Temaki-zushi

Hand roll sushi is also commonly found in the U.S.

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Oshi-zushi

This block-shaped sushi is made with an oshibako, a wooden box to press the sushi into a box shape. Mackerel is often seen in this form.

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Chirashi-zushi

A bowl of sushi rice with multiple ingredients on top. There’s no specific ingredient to a Chirashi-zushi, but it is usually topped with different types of sashimi, cooked egg, and shiso leaves.

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Temari-zushi

Sushi rice ball.

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Nare-zushi

Matured sushi. A fish that is gutted, salted and pressed for a long time and is edible for six months or more. It is known to be a delicacy in Japanese cooking.

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Sushi Manners

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Is a Nigiri One Bite?

Nigiri sushi should be eaten all in one bite; one of the reasons being that the carefully-made nigiri sushi tends to collapse and fall apart when you try splitting it into two bites (as many of you have probably already experienced). This doesn’t look very appetizing, and it’s frustrating trying to assemble it back together. Secondly, when the sushi is left sitting out for too long, the neta will dry up and lose its freshness, flavor, and tender texture. This is one reason why although kaiten-zushi (revolving sushi restaurants) is extremely popular, the sushi (which has probably been circulating for some time) may not be as fresh.

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Sushi Neta
Let’s order in Japanese

There is no set rule for ordering sushi. However, to truly enjoy the taste of every neta, it is recommended that you first eat the lighter tasting toppings, and gradually move your way up to the stronger and richer tasting toppings. Once you have a taste of a strong tasting fish, the palate’s sensitivity is slightly numbed, and the subtle qualities and flavors of a lighter tasting fish become harder to taste. So first order red, white, and hikarimono (silvery skin) fish, and save the uni (sea urchin) and Ikura for last. After a rich, heavier tasting slice, it is recommended to refresh your mouth and taste buds with ginger or hot green tea. The egg should be saved till the very last order.
Remember, in case you’re not sure what to order, the Omakase (chef’s recommendation) is always a safe choice to stick with.

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Number of pieces
1 piece = ikkan
2 pieces = ni-kan
3 pieces = san-kan
4 pieces = yon-kan
5 pieces = go-kan

• Nigiri sushi usually ordered 2 pieces each time.

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Chef :

Irasshai!
Welcome!

Mike :

Kyono osusume wa nan desuka?
What is today’s recommendation?

Chef :

TORO ga shinsen desuyo.
We have fresh TORO.

Mike :

TORO wo ni-kan kudasai.
2 pieces of TORO, please.

Chef :

Hey omachi!
Here you go!

Mike :

Arigatou.
Thank you.

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