Sushi 101

[jengelbrecht]

I'm sure I'm showing my small-town girl ignorance here, but is there a right way and a wrong way to eat sushi? I noticed it is served with a small dollop of green paste stuff--what is it? Anything else I should know?
Even though sushi is excluded at Wolfgang Puck Cafe on the DDP, I plan to order some. I just don't want to embarass myself when I dig in!

 

[DonaldsNo1Fan]

I'm sure I'm showing my small-town girl ignorance here, but is there a right way and a wrong way to eat sushi? I noticed it is served with a small dollop of green paste stuff--what is it? Anything else I should know?
Even though sushi is excluded at Wolfgang Puck Cafe on the DDP, I plan to order some. I just don't want to embarass myself when I dig in!

lol. the "green paste stuff" is wasabi. you mix it with soy sauce and dip your sushi in it, but it is VERY spicy, start with a small amount and fix to your liking.

 

[kaybird]

Besides the wasabi, there is usually some sliced pinkish or white slivers of pickled ginger. Just lay a piece over the top of the sushi. It has a great flavor, and will conteract the hot wasabi with it's sweetness.

The sushi rolls are usually cut in fairly close to 2 bite pieces. The sushi can be picked up with chopsticks, and take a bite off, or if you are using a fork, cut it in half. Don't worry,because whoever else is eating probably doesn't know any more than you!!!

Hope you enjoy it!!!!

 

[Wendi2000]

Wasabi is like horseradish... I LOVE it. I don't mix mine with soy sauce... I spread it right on top of my sushi. Oh, and I HATE pickled ginger... ew, it's like pinesol!!! But that's just me. I absolutely love sushi and sashimi and I wish there were better options for it on the DDP.

 

[goodeats]

For a first timer I recommend NOT using the wasabi and ginger. I think they overpower the fish too much. Ginger is used to cleanse the palate, but I don't like it at all.

Technically you can use your fingers (that's the proper way to eat sushi in Japan), but I use chopsticks and lightly dip in the soy sauce. But not too much! Again, it will over power the fish.

Some recommendations:

Rainbow Roll (this is a california roll with sashimi, usually salmon, tuna, and yellowtail on top)
Ungai - freshwater eel that is broiled and has a sweetish sauce

Just so you know the differences:
Cut Roll - this is usually 6, 8, or 10 pieces and what you typically think of when you think of sushi roll
Hand Roll - this is served in a 'cone' of nori (seaweed), instead of the cut roll. Much harder to eat. I probably wouldn't order this as a first timer
Sushi - this is the pieces of raw fish served on top of a small ball of rice. Sometimes also called Nigiri Sushi
Sashimi - cut pieces of raw fish with no rice. If you get fatty tuna (toro), which is usually pricey, I recommend getting it this way

 

[notnothin]

FYI, it is not considered 'good form' to mix the wasabi with your soy sauce.

Also, the ginger isn't intended to be used 'on' the sushi. It is used to cleanse your palate between different types of sushi

Furthermore, sushi is typically supposed to be eaten in a single bite.

While we're at it, don't dip the sushi in the soy sauce with the rice side down, as it will fall apart.

Hope that helps!

 

[mcgrawfan]

Be VERY CAREFULL eating any wasabi!! That stuff can really open up your nasal passages! Try a spicy tuna roll. And just stick the whole piece in your mouth. YUMMY!!

 

[pkp]

FYI, it is not considered 'good form' to mix the wasabi with your soy sauce.

Also, the ginger isn't intended to be used 'on' the sushi. It is used to cleanse your palate between different types of sushi

Furthermore, sushi is typically supposed to be eaten in a single bite.

While we're at it, don't dip the sushi in the soy sauce with the rice side down, as it will fall apart.

Hope that helps!

That's true - a lot of people but the ginger on the roll, or in soy sauce. But its supposed to be eaten by itself in between bites or after a drink, etc.... It basically erases any taste in your mouth so that you can taste just what you are about to eat.

If you are new to sushi, I would recommend not ordering rolls that have raw meats or fish - the texture and strong taste can be overpowering to folks not accustomed to it.

 

[jengelbrecht]

Thanks, everyone--lots of good advice. Bring on the sushi--I'm ready!

 

[Chrisypoo]

Be VERY CAREFULL eating any wasabi!! That stuff can really open up your nasal passages!

You said it! It seems that most places I've been too have varying amounts of "kick" to them. I've used a tiny tiny bit before...maybe the size of 2 sesame seeds...and thought I was going to die. Or at least my nose would fall off. Tears streaming down my face, sniffling really hard to make the burn stop...I'm glad I wasn't on a date because I would have made SUCH an impression!

Like others have said, if you decide to try it, start with a tiny bit and go from there.

 

[FigNewton]

While it's true that in the most traditional sense wasabi shouldn't be added to the soy sauce, you have to realize that it's because the sushi chef, traditionally, will add the amount of wasabi to the sushi that they feel is appropriate - it is part of their art.

In western establishments, though, it seems like many sushi chefs will place no wasabi on the sushi, knowing that patrons will likely do the mix (and that western tastes really aren't adapted to wasabi). Obviously this depends on the chef, but I've found it to be fairly common.

And yeah, it's "supposed" to be eaten in one bite traditionally... in Japan. Western sushi pieces tend to be a good deal larger than the one served in the food's motherland. Don't feel bad if you have to take a bite. My wife is a very small woman, and would choke if she tried to eat most sushi pieces whole.

So in short, unless you are eating at a sushi shop in Japan, don't worry too much about those bits of etiquette.

 

[Bamabear]

So where in WDW can you get sushi? I know of Kimonos, but is there another place? And how is the sushi at Kimonos? I plan on eating there at least once, if it is pretty good.

 

[Jenn0)))]

I know the selection of sushi isn't too big at Dinsey, but the CA roll is a big-time must, if available.

 

[Sarnia]

Kimonos has avery good, varied choice of excellent authentic Sushi and Sashimi, as well as some modern pieces.

As far as the wasabi goes, in the Western world it's quite normal to mix it with the soy sauce, indeed i've been told that's the way to do it by Japanese staff in a Sushi restaurant, but at the end of the day you can do it however you want, nobody's watching, and if they are they are probably looking to copy you

 

[scrump]

I've always seen them mix soy sauce and wasabi, I think it's pretty common, I wouldn't worry about it.

I've grown up eating sushi, and I think Americans have come to own their own brand of sushi. I've seen SPAM sushi and I've also seen people eat their sushi with teriyaki sauce or tonkatsu sauce, instead of the traditional soy sauce. If it makes you happy and it tastes good, go for it!

 

[lexmelinda]

My greatest fear is chomping down on a big bite of wasabi! I've been eating sushi for 20 years and I always mix the wasabi into the soy. I wouldn't worry about etiquette unless you're with the Japanese prime minister (and he will likely be eating a peanut butter and 'naner sandwich. Did anyone see him at Graceland last week. Sorry! OT) Like the previous posters mentioned, if you get too much wasabi it will definitely clear up any sinus issues you may have and there'll be little steam rolling out of your ears to boot. If you are hesitant about what to get, start off with California rolls. And, I love the pickled ginger between bites although I always likened it to Windex instead of Pinesol.

 

[dansyr1]

Is it definite that it is excluded from the dining plan at WP's

 

[hentob]

That's true - a lot of people but the ginger on the roll, or in soy sauce. But its supposed to be eaten by itself in between bites or after a drink, etc.... It basically erases any taste in your mouth so that you can taste just what you are about to eat.

I was going to post this. I cringe when I see people putting it on their sushi. I can't imagine what it does to the taste of the fish

Use it to cleanse and start anew between bites

 

[christygobar]

I am a sushi newbie as well We can't get the best stuff here in Texas but I've found some good rolls. I can't do sashimi.....but I eat with my boss and he loves the stuff. I stick to avocado rolls, spider rolls and california rolls (but rolled with no cucumbers! blech! )

I loooove wasabi with the soy sauce and I eat a good portion of the stuff. I enjoy spicy foods. I can't stand anything ginger anyways so I leave that alone.

Now I want to go get some!

 

[momomonster]

When folks say wasabi is "hot", it's not the same sort of hot that comes from chili peppers or strong spices that linger in the mouth. Wasabi can be so hot you have to bang the table and make funny noises (hee hee), but it goes away as quickly as it hits. Think of a little spicy explosion that spreads through the back of the mouth and up through the sinuses. It rocks!!!

I, personally, do not eat ginger. It still tastes like soap to me after almost 20 years of sushi-eating under my belt.

For newbies I recommend smoked salmon, eel (cooked) and tuna, or any of the rolls. Don't try the fishier things and leave the sashimi for when you're feeling extra adventurous. I literally ruined sushi for DH by feeding him mackerel sashimi on one of our first dates before realizing he didn't even like *Chinese* food at the time! He still only eats chicken yakitori (basically a cooked kabob) when we go to the sushi place.