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Step 1: Types of Sushi
There are several types of sushi and many local variations. Some common types are:- Nigirizushi: Sushi rice that has been hand pressed and has a topping on it.
- Makizushi: Sushi that has been formed with a bambi mat and is wrapped, often in nori (seaweed). It can come in several shapes, including cylinders, rolls and cones.
- Inarizushi: Fried tofu filled with sushi rice.
- Chirashizushi is sushi rice which is served in a bowl with different toppings
Step 2: Sushi Basics
Before you start eating sushi, learn some sushi basics.- Sushi is typically eaten together with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.
- You can dip the sushi in soy sauce before eating it.
- To add some spice to your sushi, dip it in wasabi.
- Wasabi is often mixed with soy sauce.
- Eat pickled ginger between sushi pieces to refresh your taste buds.
- Smaller pieces of sushi are eaten in one piece, while larger pieces are eaten in several bites.
- It's best to eat spicy sushi or sushi with cooked seafood last because the stronger flavor can overpower the taste of sushi with milder taste.
Step 3: Sushi Etiquette
If you are going to eat sushi in Japan or in a traditional setting outside of Japan, it can be useful to learn some sushi etiquette.- In a traditional sushi restaurant, sushi is ordered from the sushi chef (itamae) and drinks are ordered from the waitress.
- If you are given a hot towel, it's meant to be used to wash your hands.
- Due to symbolism associated with it, do not leave your chopsticks standing up in the middle of the food and do not pass food from your plate to another person's place with chopsticks. Instead, place the food on a plate and pass it this way.
- Sushi can be eaten with hands or with chopsticks.
