Japanese food is no longer as inaccessible and unaffordable as before - now everyone can enjoy it! I am one such person. While I proudly declare my love for these tasty, bite-sized delicacies, I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know much of what sushi really is! Here’s what I learnt:

Sushi is not, as it is generally perceived, the raw fish that we eat. Sushi is actually the vinegar-mixed rice that is used to prepare Sushi. The raw fish itself is called Sashimi. However, sushi was not historically prepared this way. In the olden days, the Japanese used to mix pickled rice and fish together. This mix would then be covered and stored for several months, before deeming it ready to eat! This type of Sushi is known as ‘Nare-Sushi’. Soon after, a different type of sushi was invented; ‘Edo-Mae Sushi’, which is basically vinegar and rice!

As evolution took its course, our modern day type sushi came about. Doing away with all the lengthy preparations, sushi was then introduced as served thin slices of raw fish with vinegar, salted rice!

Today, there are many types of Sushi. The difference from one to another is basically the ingredients used during preparation. Nigiri Sushi, is one of the simplest type of Sushi. It is just fish on top of rice, sometimes held together with dried seaweed called ‘Nori’.

Maki Sushi, another type, is a rolled type of Sushi. The rice and fish is served rolled in small cylinders or cones of seaweed. Today in most fusion Japanese restaurants, it’s not unusual to find ingredients apart from fish served with your maki!

Eating sushi may be as simple as picking it up with your chopsticks, but traditionally there is a certain etiquette that some Japanese still adhere to. If you’re at a true Japanese restaurant, you may try it!

Firstly, select the sashimi of your choice; salmon, eel or tuna are popular choices. After sitting down, you will be given a hot towel called ‘Oshibori’ to wipe your hands and face, and then offered a drink.

When your Sushi arrives, pick up your chopsticks and pick the raw fish. Dip it into the small dishes of Japanese soy sauce and wasabi and then eat. The rice, oddly enough, is never to be chopsticked, but to be eaten with hand! Then use the finger bowl that’s sent over to gently wash your fingers.

Don’t forget to smile and say ‘Domo arigato’ (thank you) on your way out after a satisfying meal of sushi!