One of the most known and loved facets of Japanese culture internationally is sushi, particularly nigirizushi and makizushi. The ingredients can differ depending on what kind of sushi we are talking about, but generally common components include cooked rice with vinegar, raw fish (seafood), and vegetables (pickled or fresh). Sushi was originally a sort of "fast food" in Japanese culture, meant to be a meal that can be eaten on the go. This is why it tends to be bite-sized, and wrapped in seaweed-- it's made to be easy to eat. Therefore, it's technically not "historically accurate" to eat sushi with chopsticks, as many people assume. It was originally to be eaten with the fingers, and all in one bite. Of course, these days sushi tends to be eaten as a delicacy in settings like restaurants, so eating it with chopsticks is common.
On my last night in my hometown before I take off for school, my family decided to take me to our favorite sushi restaurant. It's a very popular place, and is always one of the highlights of my trips home. Tip: if you really want good sushi, sit at the bar. While this tends to cost more, the best sushi is the freshest cut of fish with the rice right from the sushi master's hands.
On this particular day, my whole family agreed that the sushi tasted phenomenal-- the key is how (this may sound funny) un-fishy the fish is. :D It has to taste refreshing, not too strong.
On my last night in my hometown before I take off for school, my family decided to take me to our favorite sushi restaurant. It's a very popular place, and is always one of the highlights of my trips home. Tip: if you really want good sushi, sit at the bar. While this tends to cost more, the best sushi is the freshest cut of fish with the rice right from the sushi master's hands.
On this particular day, my whole family agreed that the sushi tasted phenomenal-- the key is how (this may sound funny) un-fishy the fish is. :D It has to taste refreshing, not too strong.
Above is a photo of the plate setting. You start with an obon tray, with a napkin, chopsticks, and a kozara (small plate) meant for soy sauce dipping. They give you a small refection(like the coleslaw to the upper right) to start off. To the upper left, you can see one of the most famous brands of soy sauce in Japan and the US, KIKKOMAN. Founded in the 1900s, this company was started by a group of family businesses. It has expanded from the food and drink industry into pharmaceuticals.
We are then given a set of steamed white towels, called oshigori. In the physical sense, the heat and water will make your hands look and feel clean. In the spiritual sense, the white color will purify your hands before you eat.
Above is a great visual example of how Japanese cuisine values the aesthetic value of colors in food. Check out my video on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5DyWazaZuQ
The 3 main colors in Japan are present on this plate: white (fish and rice), green (wasabi), and red (fish and ginger). The fish shown here is tai (red snapper).
The 3 main colors in Japan are present on this plate: white (fish and rice), green (wasabi), and red (fish and ginger). The fish shown here is tai (red snapper).
Hamachi (yellow-tail).
Hotate (scallops) topped with mayonnaise and masago (fish eggs).
Aji (Spanish mackerel) topped with ginger and green onions to balance out the fishy taste and smell of this particular fish.
Toro (the fattiest part of tuna, the belly). This is my favorite!!
Uni (sea urchin). Rich, creamy, with a bitter sweetness.
My sister and I's favorite roll, the Sakura roll: ika (squid), crab meat, avocado, and masago (fish eggs).
Here is a visual of the sushi bar: as you can see, it is lined with fresh-cut fish. The bar is lined with windows, so you can observe the sushi master making the sushi. According to my dad, a truly talented sushi master will only nigiru (clasp, clench) the sushi up to 3 or 4 times. So if you have an opportunity to sit at the bar, watch. :)
As an Asian-American who lives and is educated in America, I often get a bit separated from my culture. One excellent way to get back in touch is food, because food is truly an expression of cultural values.
I hope this post has changed the way you'll look at sushi, and I definitely recommend it to those of you who have never tried it!
Best,
justajae
I hope this post has changed the way you'll look at sushi, and I definitely recommend it to those of you who have never tried it!
Best,
justajae