by Giovanni Di Lago

Created on: July 12, 2008

The Many Faces and Facets of Sushi (Bonus Section: Sushi-Bar Lingo AKA "Table Top Japanese 101")

1. Sushi: What It ISN'T.

Sushi is NOT Japanese food. (What?!?) Well, at least not in its original form. The term "sushi" refers to any dish containing "sumeshi", or rice mixed with vinegar. Furthermore, sushi (or "sumeshi") did not even originate in Japan... it was a means for ancient Southeast Asian peoples to keep fresh fish, well, fresh. This involved storing their fishy wares in a fascinating preservative mixture of salt and steamed rice. Vinegar became part of the mix in the 1800's, and voila - er, "kore desu!"- what we know as sushi was essentially Japan's first form of fast food. ("Uh, I'd like a 'Big Mackerel' with a side of blowfish please!".)

Another thing sushi is NOT (and you may have already beat me to this point, you sharpie!) is "raw fish". (That is called "sashimi", actually.) Sushi can have raw fish as a component, but cooked fish or shellfish can be (and is often) used... or no fish at all (vegetables, egg, tofu, etc.). Once you get past that simple fact, even the most squeamish of eaters can usually find something to enjoy at a sushi bar. (If not, just have a bowl of steamed rice and try not to kill the buzz of everyone around you.)

2. Sushi What It IS.

There are more forms of sushi than you can shake a chopstick at. (Sorry. By the way, never do that - it's considered VERY rude.) The four most common forms you'd see in a Western-style (ie: not in Japan) sushi bar are nigiri (like the piece of tuna next to "what it is!" looks like), maki (rolled in seaweed and cut, also known as nori-maki), temaki (cone-shaped hand roll), and gunkanmaki (the "battleship roll"). There's also oshi-zushi (Osaka-style, pressed in a mold and squared off), battera (similar, but with mackerel), chirashi (a bowl of rice covered by slices of assorted fish and shellfish), uramaki (rice on the outside, also seen in the West) and, oh dear lawd, several more - buy a book already.

Anyway, you get the point; sushi is a diverse and visually challenging food.

How did WE get into eating sushi, you ask? (Okay, maybe you didn't ask - just play along.) A few years back, I thought I would eventually be in Japan teaching English. It seemed like a good idea to "get used" to Japanese food, especially something I'd probably be forced to eat in social settings. So I went down to a local sushi bar and ate one of everything. (Really.) Eighty dollars, 64 ounces of Sapporo Beer and a full belly later,

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>