How to Eat Sushi

For those of you who're planning a tour to Japan in the near future, it might be a shame not to experience sushi in all its authenticity. But while most people are no stranger to this delicacy, there is a particular sushi etiquette one should adhere to before dining. Keep in your mind that these are merely general guidelines, and customers shouldn't concern on their own too much with adhering by these tips exactly; being respectful from the food and gracious to the staff is more than enough to ensure an excellent sushi dining experience.

* Upon arrival, the actual hostess will usually inquire if you prefer dining in the sushi bar or at a regular table. The sushi club is usually left for guests who enjoy watching the sushi planning or to interact with the chef. If you don't take care of either of these, merely request a table.

* If you sit at the bar, only purchase sushi from the chef. Other items such as soup or even non sushi dishes should be taken from your host.

* You will usually not be the only guest your sushi cook needs to cater to. Be respectful of this, and wait to place your purchase with him if you notice that he is preoccupied along with preparing another person's dishes.

* Before eating, the server will generally hand you a warm washcloth with which you use to clean your hands. Following this, neatly place the cloth back on the tray it was served upon.

* Traditionally, it's acceptable to eat nigiri (rice topped with fish or any other topping) together with your hands, but sashimi (fish only) should be handled with chopsticks.

* When eating nigiri, most people will drop the rice in to the soy sauce, but it should actually be the other way around.

Dip the fish instead, so as to avoid too much soy sauce absorption, which doesn't complement the taste of the nigiri. Additionally, dipping the grain in first causes pieces of rice in order to fall into the dish, making a mess.

* Nigiri sushi should be eaten in one bite.

* If the server does not provide you with a spoon for your soup, don't ask for one. Simply pick the dish up and sip the soup with your mouth. Use your chopsticks to get any pieces which may be in the broth.

* Slivers of ginger are usually served on the same dish as wasabi. These items are used to cleanse the actual palate, and should end up being eaten between attacks of sushi, never with them.

* Finally, thank you sushi chef when the dinner is over. You will usually find a tip jar in the counter, as chefs shouldn't handle cash with the same hands these people prepare your meal with.

Remember that your sushi chef puts a lot of time and effort into ensuring your own meal is of the highest quality quality. Take the time to enjoy the beauty and tastes of your sushi; this is not a meal you quickly rush through. Make sure you taste all the delicate flavors of the different fish and don't overpower the taste with soy sauce.

Join a tour to Tokyo or perhaps a tour to Osaka to have an authentic sushi experience!