Eating sushi at a counter is one of the best ways to experience traditional Japanese food culture. Watching the sushi chef prepare fresh ingredients right in front of you is a visual treat as well as an experience in the artistry and delicacy of sushi. The sushi chef’s deftness, respect for the ingredients, and the freshness of the sushi as it is prepared on the spot are unmatched by any other dining experience. The one-on-one communication with the sushi chef also enhances the dining experience.
Enjoying Sushi at the Counter
When ordering sushi, try the OMAKASE option first. This is a style of sushi where the sushi chef selects the best items of the day to be served, which varies depending on the season and availability. The sushi chef chooses the best items of the day, so you can enjoy the freshest and tastiest sushi. Another enjoyable aspect of sushi is the conversation with the sushi chefs. They are very knowledgeable about sushi and will be happy to explain the ingredients and give you their recommendations. By hearing directly from the sushi chef, you can understand the story behind the sushi and how the ingredients became sushi.
Manners for Sushi at the Counter
There are several manners when eating sushi at the counter. First, sushi is generally eaten in the order in which it is served. This is so that the sushi chef can serve the sushi in the best possible order. In addition, sushi can be eaten with either your hands or chopsticks, but when applying soy sauce, in the case of nigirizushi (Sushi with fresh fish or seafood on a bed of vinegared rice), it is considered good practice to lay the sushi on its side and apply a small amount of soy sauce only to the ingredients. In the case of gunkanmaki (Sushi with ingredients on a bed of vinegared rice wrapped in seaweed), put soy sauce on the gari (ginger) and use the gari to coat the top of the neta. And it is recommended that sushi freshly prepared by the sushi chef be eaten immediately. This is to avoid missing the timing when the sushi is at its best.
The above is an introduction to eating sushi at the counter for foreigners traveling to Japan from abroad. Japanese sushi, along with its deliciousness, has a unique culture in its production process and the way it is eaten. Please take this opportunity to enjoy Japanese sushi. Have a safe and enjoyable time!
