When I tag along a bus tour as a tour leader together with tourists from overseas, I have a question which I always ask to them.
‘Do you like Japanese food? ’ ‘Have you ever eaten Sushi?’
Surprisingly, most of the answers are YES, which I am very happy to hear that.
As you know, Sushi became popular worldwide as one of the Japanese foods. Technically speaking, Sushi is a type of dish made of fish and vinegared rice. For most of people in the world, Sushi means Nigirizushi. Each portion consists of a bite-sized serving of rice and a topping
The history of Nigirizushi dates back to the early years of the 19th century. Thanks to the affluent number of fish caught in the sea of Edo (Current Tokyo), a new type of food was developed at food stalls as a fast-food like light meal. This new type of meal became so popular among the commoners in Edo. Over time Sushi spread across Japan.
Sushi may look a simple dish, just adding a sliced fish on top of a morsel of rice. However it takes some 10 years to become a Sushi master. To become a good Sushi chef, it takes knowledge to see the quality of fresh ingredients in the fish market and skill to prepare them according to their seasonal tastes.
Let me introduce how you enjoy Sushi in Japan according to your budget.
In the high-class sushi restaurants, guests called ‘Sushi connoisseur’ are seated along the counter table. With the expertise in daily ingredients, Sushi masters prepare sushi for their guests. They enjoy watching how Sushi is prepared in a matter of second and put them into their mouth with gusto. This is how you indulge yourself at Sushi restaurants; we call it Iki, stylish or chic. But I understand it would be difficult for you unless you speak Japanese language, here is a useful Japanese word to shout ‘OMAKASE’ which means ‘recommended’. But don’t forget to ask price just in case.
Even if you go to sushi restaurants in your own country, it would be better to know your favorite chef as they do their best to serve you the best ingredients they have. If you know them very well, they may advise you the best day to come to restaurants to have fresh seafoods.
Back to the topic, other kind of Sushi servings can be enjoyed which is nowadays well known around the world, which is Kaiten zushi (conveyer-belt sushi restaurant). At inexpensive Kaitenzushi restaurants, you choose Sushi you want to eat from a rotating conveyer belt. Sometimes, you can enjoy not only for Sushi but also for different kinds of dish like desserts. They said that it was in the year of 1958 that the very first Kaitenzushi restaurant appeared in Osaka, west part of Japan. At the restaurants, 2 pieces on a plate normally costs from 100 yen (US$1.2), which is considered quite reasonable. This is one of the must-dos which I would like to recommend for the tourists from overseas to have a unique and interesting dining experience.
Alternatively, you go to the supermarket to buy a packet of assorted sushi for takeaway. Let’s say you bring them to view Sakura, spring cherry blossoms or beautiful autumn foliage. That is going to be a great experience as well. The attached is the photo for take-away when I went to the local supermarket this morning. This can be one of your choices as well.
As for what you eat at Sushi restaurants, I will talk about it tomorrow.
Explore Japan!
