Going to a sushi bar can be an extremely rewarding experience, allowing you to fully experience the tasty potential of what your sushi set can offer in your own home. Eating sushi that has been prepared by a professional is something everyone should try, especially those who would like to learn how to prepare it themselves. Before venturing out into the world of sushi bars, it pays to be aware of some basic etiquette issues:
Why Was I Given a Towel Before My Meal?
I’ve seen some pretty funny reactions to the towel which is traditionally given out at a sushi bar before the meal. I remember one guy looked around with a confused expression on his face and then wiped his face with it. Don’t be alarmed! it’s simply there for you to wipe your hands with, and it’s best to take advantage of this courtesy as a sign of respect. I would even recommend adding this to your sushi set at home.
This Menu is Overwhelming, How Will I know Where to Start?
I’ll repeat my advice from the towel section: Don’t be alarmed by the “newness” and variety on display. These are all good things, and you should embrace them. This experience will give you some great ideas that you can transfer to your home sushi set! Anytime a newcomer to the sushi world asks me what to do in response to the sheer number of choices, I simply tell them to ask the sushi chef what he recommends. This is a nice way to build a relationship with the person who is preparing your food since you’re giving him a great opportunity to show his deep knowledge of sushi and the human palette.
How Should I Show My Appreciation to the Chef?
Beyond simply thanking him for his time and effort, it’s definitely not out of the question to order him a drink. If he accepts, he’ll most likely toast you with the word “Kampai,” which translates to “To your health.” Also, it never hurts to actually finish the food that you are served: This shows the chef that you were satisfied with his creation!
These Sushi Rolls are Oddly-Sized: How Do I Eat Them?
Quite simply, you can eat your sushi roll in one big bite. This is considered perfectly acceptable in Japan, but it’s all right to take multiple bites if the roll is simply too big to be eaten all at once. The reason for eating this way is that the sushi is carefully crafted out of many complimentary flavors that are meant to mix together simultaneously in order to take you on a flavorful journey. Picking the sushi apart and only eating the parts that seem immediately appealing to you is missing the point. I highly recommend that you give in to your adventurous spirit and taste the food as it was meant to be experienced. Just as I’ve said before, you can take these ideas and influences and transfer them to your personal sushi making set. This is a great way to share a unique culture with your friends and family!
