This Japanese delicacy has gained such immense popularity that you can find sushi restaurants in almost any corner of the world. However, if you wish get the taste of authentic sushi , always eat at a Japanese restaurant and if you happen to visit Japan, don’t forget to eat sushi at some of the best places out there (check out Tsukiji Fish Market!).
Now, if you are beginner, you may find yourself at a loss for words or knowledge about how to place an order. In this post, we will help you with how to order sushi in a Japanese restaurant, and learn a few sushi jargon, too.
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Table of Contents
Greet And Take A Seat
As you walk into a sushi restaurant, the staff will greet you with smiling faces and say “irasshaimase” which means “welcome” in Japanese. Smile back with a hello. They may then ask you where would you like to be seated – at a regular table where you can access the sushi on the conveyor belt or sit at a bar table and watch the chef in action.
If you are a beginner then we would recommend that you take a regular table and keep the bar for next time. However, if you have eaten sushi before or have brushed up on sushi etiquette closely then feel confident to take a seat at the bar as there is no joy as watching the master prepare your food in front of your eyes.
Understanding The Menu
In most restaurants, you will find a menu that contains a list of food items they offer. Under each item, you will usually find the ingredients listed. For example, if you order a hosomaki sushi roll, there will be information on what it contains in the fillings. When in doubt (for ingredients mentioned in Japanese), always ask the staff who will be willing to help.
In some restaurants, you may find a conveyor belt or sushi train that carries plates of pre-made sushi past the diners and you can choose what you want. This is a more convenient and affordable type of sushi dining for those who are in a hurry. The menu will typically include the seasonal ingredients such as maguro, shrimp, salmon, and so on.
Types of Sushi Meals To Choose From
When in mood for a lavish sushi dinner, consider opting for the sushi meals that contain a spread of some of the most exotic items on the menu. Here are some of the common types of sushi meals you can choose from in a restaurant.
Okonomi
This is a freestyle sushi meal which is more suited for the regular or frequent customers who have tasted almost all items on the menu and know what they want. In most cases, the chef will also recognize a regular customer and know what they like best.
Okimari
If you want your sushi meal to have a fixed price tag then we would recommend that you choose this meal type. It is a cheaper option than ordering individual dishes and the waiting time is also less. It gives you the opportunity of enjoying a variety of sushi but within your fixed budget, so there are no surprises.
Omakase
This is our favorite and although more expensive than other types of sushi meals. It’s an experience worth trying at least once in your lifetime. When you choose Omakase you tell the chef that you trust him and would go with whatever he decides.
This way you give full freedom to the chef to present his best creative and culinary skills to leave you enthralled with a fantastic experience. The chef uses the highest quality ingredients and creates each masterpiece with great care to give you an ultimate gastronomic ride you will cherish!
A Few Sushi Jargons
When you order sushi in a Japanese restaurant, knowing a few jargon can help you understand the menu better and order sushi with more confidence. Let’s start with neta which means fish in Japanese and nori means seaweed, the green wrap you see outside the sushi roll.
Wasabi is the green condiment served with sushi, and gari is pickled ginger used for cleansing your palate between different varieties of fish. Shoyu is the Japanese term for soy sauce and tamari is the gluten free soy sauce.
You can greet the chef at a Japanese restaurant by saying “Kon banwa“, which means “good evening” and when you are done with dinner, say “Arigato gozai•masu” which means thank you for the meal. If you can’t remember these words, don’t worry and just say thanks with a smile. Everybody understands it.
Conclusion
Please remember that eating sushi at a restaurant is not cheap so make the best out of each mouthful by asking questions when in doubt. If you are a sushi beginner, gather some information about the different types of sushi you can order, know the different items on a typical sushi plate, and learn sushi etiquette to enhance your dining experience.
Now if you are traveling to Japan with your family and looking to experience eating sushi with them, consider these Top 5 Kid-Friendly Sushi Restaurants in Japan.
About the guest author
James from Easy Homemade Sushi
James is a sushi enthusiast and owner of a sushi blog, easyhomemadesushi.com. He has been to Japan several times and loves Japanese food and culture. He is also a passionate writer and likes to share his experiences and knowledge through his blog.
I must be honest, I have only ever had “Canadian-ized” sushi experiences. I’m not very adventurous when it comes to traditional sushi, and I prefer the veggie rolls. Only recently have I started to try to be more adventurous, so this will definitely help!
I never thought about the differences you might face ordering sushi authentically in Japan – great tips! I did try to make my own once and failed miserably though.
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