Sushi For Me? Sushi For You. Harrisburg, PA

On Sushi Etiquette ...

“The only rule at a sushi bar is to eat what you like, how you like it, and as much as you like.  Anyone who tells you differently is full of it.”

                                          -Eliot Deutsch                           

Who's The Dude Makin' It?

He is called an “Itamae”.  Have a question?  Ask away.  Bonus points for asking in Japanese.

Easy Peazy Japanese-y Phrases

Arigato – Thank you.
Domo – Thank you, not as polite as arigato. Domo and arigato can be combined (“domo arigato”) and then become a more polite form of thank you.
Domo arigato gozaimasu – A very polite form of thank you, said while engaged in an activity. One can also say “domo sumimasen.”
Domo arigato gozaimasta – Another very polite form of thank you, said after the meal or activity has concluded.
Dozo – “Please.”
Hai – “Yes.”
Konichiwa – Literally “this day” but colloquially meaning “hello” or “good day.”
Oishii – “Yummy” or “Delicious.”
Okonomi – Ordering <input>sushi a few pieces at a time.
Omakase – Colloquially meaning “Chef’s choice” and pronounced “oh-mah-kah-seh,” this style of dining essentially offers the itamae the choice of what to serve you based on what he feels best represents his skills and what is available at that time..
Gochisou-sama deshita – “It was a feast!” (more commonly used)
Oishikatta desu – which means “it was delicious.” (less commonly used)

Info Credit

Common Types of Sushi

• Nigiri – small rice balls with fish/shellfish on top.
• Gunkan – Small cups made of seaweed and filled with sushi rice and seafood.
• Norimaki – Sushi rice, seafood, and other ingredients rolled in sheets of dried seaweed.
• Temaki – Cones made of nori seaweed and filled with sushi rice, seafood, and vegetables.

How To Use Chopsticks

Think of the chopstick as a pair of prongs, the only difference being that there are two separate parts or sticks. One stick is held in stationary position and the other is moved.

1. Take one stick first and hold it in your right hand in the way you would normally hold a pencil. If the stick has a thick and a thin end, hold it so that the thick end is to the top.
2. Keeping the fingers in this position, turn your hand inward until the stick is horizontal to the table and parallel to your body.
3. Relax your fingers slightly and slide the stick to the left until your thumb and forefinger are clamping the stick at about its mid-point. The thumb should not be bent or rigidly straight. All your fingers should be curved slightly inwards with the middle finger in contact with the underside of the stick and the tip of the middle finger pointing towards your body. The third (ring) finger should be in line with the middle finger but its tip should protrude beyond the middle finger towards your body.
4. Now, take the other stick with your left hand and let the thick end rest on the protruding part of the ring finger of your right hand. Slide the stick towards the right, touching the tip of the middle finger and passing under the thumb until the thick end rests at the base joint of your forefinger. This is the stationary position of this stick, and it should be roughly parallel to the first stick.
5. Alternately bend and extend your forefinger and middle finger, letting the first stick PIVOT at the thumb. The thin tip of the moving stick will touch that of the stationary stick when you bend the two fingers. Don’t hold the sticks rigidly. Hardly any pressure or strength is needed to grasp things at the tip of the chopsticks.

DIY Sushi?

I’ve done it.  Obviously it wasn’t so high tech.  And, hey, it was imitation crab meat (aka seafood hot dogs).  But if you’re looking for something interesting to try it’s super, duper fun.