Sushi has become a popular dish in the United States. It’s so popular, in fact, that it’s hard to believe it isn’t considered a staple in our diets. American sushi restaurants first opened in the 1960s, but even then, the cuisine wasn’t as readily available as it is today. Now you can find your favorite sushi in virtually any city on any day of the week.

Whether you want to enjoy a quick lunch with friends or a sit-down dinner with your significant other, the choices are almost endless. Even though sushi is so widely available, it can be confusing if you are new to the meal. It’s quite easy to become overwhelmed with the number of choices. To help you with your newly discovered interest in this wildly popular dish, we have put together a brief beginner’s guide.

The Basics

Rice is the main component of any sushi. The rice used is not the same as the rice you boil in your kitchen. Awase-zu is a short-grain variety that is mixed with rice vinegar, sugar and salt. The end result is called shari. It is a bit sticky and easily formed.

Eating Sushi

Many newcomers to the cuisine attempt to have a go with chopsticks. In reality, most sushi is eaten with the fingers. Ginger slices are eaten in between pieces of sushi to cleanse the palate. It is recommended to skip the wasabi on certain pieces of sushi, and don’t mix wasabi into your soy sauce unless you are enjoying sashimi.

What Else You Should Know

One of the best tips anyone can give you is to ask the sushi chef for recommendations if you are new to the meal. Don’t be shy. Once you get a bit more sushi under your belt, so-to-speak, you can bravely ask the chef for omakase. That’s where you trust the chef to prepare whatever they want to serve.

If you are ready to experience sushi for the first time, we would love to have you dine with us. Our experienced sushi chefs prepare amazing dishes and are always pleased to offer tips and advice to any diner. Visit us today at the best Japanese seafood restaurant in Kennesaw!