Hi, this is Village.
Today I would like to introduce Japanese sushi.
Although Japanese sushi is a major item in foreign countries, there are some differences between sushi in other countries, high-end sushi in Japan, and Japanese sushi restaurant chains.
In this article, we will explain the differences for tourists who have come all the way to Japan.

Foreign sushi is healthier than Japanese sushi. It is delicious with plenty of avocado and other vegetables. It is often wrapped in nori or other seaweed and not dipped in soy sauce.

On the other hand, Japanese sushi, also known as nigiri-zushi, is a simple dish of fish fillets on a bed of rice prepared by a sushi chef. The rice is made of vinegared rice, and enjoying the flavor of vinegar is one of the key points to enjoying fine sushi. Fish fillets are fresh because they are processed on the spot. It is not well accepted in the world because many people in the world do not like raw fish, but it is a favorite of the Japanese. There are not many rules on how to eat it, but if I may say so, the usual way is to dip the fish on the rice in soy sauce, put it back on the rice, and eat the rice and fish together.
The points that Japanese people appreciate as high-end sushi are as follows.
・Freshness of the fish
・How much oil flavor is in the fish?
・Softness and temperature of rice
The Japanese believe that the softness and temperature of the rice that the sushi chef makes harmonizes with the taste of the fish, and the nigiri of the rice is considered to be very important.
In addition, the following terms are used uniquely in Japanese sushi as follows
Rice:Shari
Fish:Neta
Japanese people will be surprised when you use this word.

Sushi chefs make sushi with their bare hands, which some people in the world consider unclean, but rest assured that they are thoroughly disinfected and sterilized.

Japanese families often go to eat at sushi chain restaurants.
There are many seats for four people, and if you place your order on a tablet, your order will be passed around in a lane. Sushi that you have not ordered from a lane is also passed around, so you can pick up the sushi and eat it.
Recently, fire-roasted “aburi salmon” has been available and is one of the most popular products.
Crab miso soup and shijimi miso soup are other popular items.
Famous sushi chains in Japan include Kura Sushi and Sushiro.

Another thing to note is that wasabi is often added to sushi. Wasabi is a combination of spicy and bitter tastes, and is widely eaten as an accent to sushi. Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), was particularly fond of Shizuoka wasabi.

It would be a shame to come to Japan and not try sushi at least once!