How to Order - Sushi Knowledge

Conveyor or counter?

While you will no doubt want to put your newfound sushi skills to the test as often as possible, it is also sometimes nice to visit a sushi restaurant, and have all the hard work done for you. While at a kaiten or conveyor belt sushi restaurant things are left up to you, at a traditional sushi counter the chef will guide you through the many options available.

Where to begin?

Either way, on arrival you will receive a cup of agari, or green tea, which is usually free of charge in Japan, and can be refilled as often as required. You can ask the chef what he recommends by asking, ‘kyo no o-susume wa nan desu ka? ’, and then choosing accordingly. Alternatively you could leave the choice up to the chef by saying, ‘o-makase’, although it may be wise to specify a price limit as well!

How to proceed?

If you do decide to choose your own dishes, or if you are in a kaiten restaurant, remember that there are no rules when it comes to the order in which you eat sushi, but it is generally better to begin with light, white fish and then move on to rich, fatty fish such as tuna. Sweet tamago or egg sushi is often eaten at the end of a meal, rather like a dessert.