In traditional sushi restaurants in Japan, sushi can be expensive since the best ingredients are used. But in kaiten-zushi (where sushi plates circle around the eating area on a conveyor belt) restaurants, sushi are reasonable andalso delicious. Japanese Sushi: Part 1 tells you what to do and what to expect at a sushi restaurant. Also see How to Eat Sushi.
In Tokyo, you can eat good quality sushi in Tsukiji Fish Market, which is the biggest fish wholesale market in Japan. If you visit the market in the early morning, you get to see the auctions for huge tuna! Take the Tokyo subway Nibiya line to Tsukiji station.
In Kyoto, Kawaramachi (Hankyu Kawaramachi station) is a good place to find a sushi restaurant.
In Osaka, you should visit Dotonbori area which is the Osaka's best eating district. It is located in the center of Osaka. You can walk from Kintetsu Namba station to Dotonbori.
You might want to make sushi at home. At first, learn how to cook Japanese rice.
Medium grain white rice is the best for sushi. Nishiki rice is one of the common brands in the US. Using a Japanese rice cooker is the easiest way to cook rice. Remember to wash the rice well before you cook it. This is very important. Also, it is important to soak the rice in water and allow it to absorb some of the water. After the rice is cooked, let it steam for a while.
When you mix cooked rice with sushi vinegar, make sure the rice is still hot. Use a wooden spatula and cut and fold the rice with the vinegar mixture. Be careful not to smash the rice. See How to Cook Sushi Rice.
Making Nigiri-zushi - (finger pressed sushi)
Take some sushi rice in your hand and make an oblong shape. Before you grab the rice, lightly dip your fingers into vinegar water so that your fingers won't be sticky! Hold a piece of topping ingredient on your palm and put a dab of wasabi (Japanese horseradish) on top. Then, place rice on top of the ingredient and press with your fingers. Turn it over so that the rice is on the bottom.
Making Maki-zushi - (rolled sushi)
It's usually better to buy full-size nori (roasted seaweed leaves) sheets. Basically, you place a nori sheet on top of a special bamboo mat (makisu) and spread sushi rice on top of the nori. Then, place ingredients in lengthwise and roll it into a cylinder shape.
These are great gift ideas for sushi lovers:
Enjoy sushi at restaurants and in your own home!
*Photo Coryright: Shizuko Mishima - See Terms of Photo Usage
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