Food

Sushi might conjure up images of raw fish, but not all sushi contains raw fish. The word sushi refers to “vinegared rice.” Some varieties, such as the California Roll, contain only vegetables. Others do contain fish, but the fish has been smoked or cooked, such is the case with shrimp rolls, and eel rolls.

The sushi that brings to mind raw fish is actually called sashimi, which is a piece of raw fish over the rice. Another type of sushi is called Nori, in which the rice, fish and vegetables are rolled into a thin sheet of seaweed. If the rice is on the outside, this is referred to as an “inside out roll.” Another popular variety of sushi is Chirashizushi, which is sushi scattered over a bowl of rice. Narezushi is the oldest style of sushi. Skinned and gutted fish are stuffed with salt, placed in a wooden barrel, doused with salt again, and then weighed down with a heavy tsukemonoishi (pickling stone).

Sushi is truly the cuisine of Japan. A few Japanese phrases to try out next time you are at an authenic Sushi bar:

Thanks: Arigatou.
Delicious: Oishii.
Beautiful: Utsukushii.
Please give me this: Kore o kudasai
Pleased to meet you — Dozo yoroshiku or Yoroshiku onegaishimasu