Japanese cuisine is renowned for its refinement and one of the most famous and popular dishes is sushi. The art of preparing and eating sushi has its own subtleties and rules that should be followed to truly enjoy this delicacy and respect Japanese culture. Let's break down the main points of Japanese etiquette when eating sushi.
Use chopsticks. Chopsticks are the main tool for eating sushi. You must hold them correctly: one chopstick should rest on the base of your index finger and the other on the base of your thumb, supporting them with your hand and moving your index and middle fingers.
Do not dip the sushi in too much soy sauce. The purpose of the soy sauce is to enhance the flavor of the roll, not to overwhelm it. Too much sauce can oversaturate the dish and mask the aroma.
Avoid pouring the soy sauce over the rice. When eating sushi, it's important that the rice doesn't fall apart in the soy sauce. Pour it only over the fish or the filling of the roll.
Eat sushi in one piece. Sushi should be eaten whole, rather than in bites. This allows you to fully enjoy the tastes and textures of the dish.
Do not use your hands. Although sushi can be eaten with either chopsticks or your hands, it is better to use chopsticks to avoid getting rice on your fingers.
Wash your hands before eating sushi. If you choose to eat with your fingers, be sure to wash your hands before doing so.
Appreciate the art. When eating sushi, it is important to appreciate not only the taste, but also the beauty of the preparation. The Japanese pay attention to the aesthetics of the dish, so enjoy its appearance.
Try not to use ginger at the same time as sushi. Ginger is meant to cleanse the taste buds between dishes, so it is better to eat it separately.
Following sushi eating etiquette will not only help you to enjoy this dish to the fullest, but will also show respect for Japanese culture and traditions. Sushi is not just a food, it is an art that should be appreciated.
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