Sage-Tips

Can you ask for sushi to be cut smaller?

10. Both sashimi and sushi must be eaten in one bite. If the piece is too big, do not be afraid to ask the chef to cut it in half for you (although a proper sushi chef would adjust the size of each piece according to the customer).

Why do sushi chefs score the fish?

The flesh is often scored on the underside by using the knife to make many small parallel and cross-hatch cuts, which make the sushi much softer and easier to chew. For very chewy neta like squid (ika) it is essential.

Why do sushi chefs cut at an angle?

Tougher steel also means Japanese knives can be sharpened to a much finer angle. This allows chefs to create precision cuts, which is vital in Japanese cuisine.

Is it rude to cut sushi?

GaijinPot Blog explains that it’s rude to split a piece of sushi in half, and if a piece is just too big, it’s more polite to ask that the chef “adjust the proportion for you.” This way, a smaller piece can be made with the proper balance of flavor.

How big is a portion of sashimi?

Depending on the restaurant you go to, you’ll have slightly different sized portions. It is likely that one piece of sashimi will be close to one ounce, which is what is listed here, but it is certainly possible to have a very thin slice that is closer to 0.5oz.

What do sushi chefs yell?

Irasshaimase!
“Irasshaimase!” the chefs are all yelling in unison the moment you enter their restaurant. It’s a surprise the first time it happens but get used to it, it’s standard practice throughout Japan.

Is it hard to cut sashimi?

Sashimi is a simple dish – no cooking, just slicing. There are a couple of rules for slicing the fish fillet but once you get it, it’s so easy. Japanese people say that almost all the fish you catch can be eaten raw as sashimi.

Is cutting sashimi hard?

It is extremely difficult to make a straight sliced piece from a loaf of bread. Your knife wobbles and the one end comes out angle. Slicing fish sashimi with all the pieces with a straight edge is also difficult.

Is it disrespectful to dip sushi in soy sauce?

Don’t douse your sushi in soy sauce. “The etiquette of using soy sauce is not to ruin the balance of flavors by over dipping,” he explains. “Normally, chefs try to give you the perfect balance to enhance the flavors of the fish and the texture of the rice, so trust them.”

How thick should sashimi be cut?

The hira-zukuri cut (literally “flat slice”), is the standard cut for most sashimi. Typically this style of cut is the size of a domino and 10 mm (3⁄8 in) thick. Tuna, salmon, and kingfish are most commonly cut in this style.