Sushi Types & Tips

Nigiri Sushi Nigiri-sushi traces its roots to street-side stalls and home delivery, making it one of Japan's earliest forms of fast food. It is also called "Edomae" sushi because the fish used was caught in the waters off the shores of Edo (in what is today the area between Tsukiji and Teppozu in Tokyo). Brought ashore and sliced, the fish was marinated in vinegar, boiled or steamed for better preservation, then hand-molded over rice in the Edomae style. The fish or other seafood topping the rice is called tane. While this tradition has spanned generations, nigiri-sushi has been subject to subtle fads over time. The 12 nigiri-sushi restaurants we recommend are all in the Edomae style and boast the highest levels of culinary achievement. When making your reservation, let the restaurant know your budget and how you will be ordering. Okonomi allows you to choose what you want, while omakase leaves selection up to the chef. In the case of omakase, as you take your seat, you will be asked if there are any tane you want to avoid. right: Traditional Edomae culinary skills bring out the best in taste. Ornamental cutting adds beauty to the cuisine. Kohada marinated in vinegar is the best-known type of Edomae sushi. Maguro-no-zuke is prepared by passing it through hot water, then marinating it in soy sauce for half a day.		Maguro-no-zuke (marinated tuna) Kohada (shad) Hamaguri (clam) Hata (grouper) Saba (mackerel) Anago (conger eel) Kasugo Kaki (oyster)

Nigiri-Sushi Etiquette Our first tip is to take a counter seat where you have a full view of the chef at work with his knife and his hands. Learn the rules of ordering and the trick of holding the sushi without it crumbling. A little knowledge goes a long way toward being a welcome guest at a sushi restaurant. Table Manners   1. Place your thumb lightly on the tane and use your middle finger to turn the sushi over.     2. Place your index finger lightly on the border between the tane and the rice.     3. Turn the sushi another 90 degrees, so that your thumb is underneath and the sushi is upside down.     4. Dip the topping lightly into the soy-sauce, avoid getting soy sauce on the rice. So it doesn't became soggr.     5. Bon appetit!