Level up your sushi: tips, tricks, and fun facts
Sushi is possibly the greatest delicacy to come out of Southeast Asia. And while most people enjoy a good California roll without thinking much of it, how much do you really know about the traditional Japanese dish?
Click through this gallery for some fascinating facts about the appetizing meal and some beautiful shots that are sure to leave you with quite a craving.
Sushi
The Japanese delicacy is as much about presentation as it is taste.
There is a lot of creativity and precision that goes into making every piece and roll.
Making for an extremely colorful and stunning dish.
Becoming a sushi chef
Becoming a itamae (cook, chef) of sushi is not so easy.
The study period includes an apprenticeship period.
In one of Tokyo's most famous sushi restaurants, apprentices spend two years just cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, preparing the kitchen, and scaling and gutting fish, according to CNN.
It is only in their third year that a student is given the opportunity to try their hand at preparing rice.
Once that is mastered, the next phase for a student is being promoted to a wakiita, which translates to "near the cutting board."
Eventually a student may be allowed to start making pieces of nigiri for clients.
'Jiro Dreams of Sushi'
It focuses on the life of Japanese sushi chef Jiro Ono.
Special visitor
When former US president Barack Obama visited Tokyo in 2014, he stopped into Ono's three-Michelin-starred sushi restaurant.
Sukiyabashi Jiro
Securing a reservation at the legendary restaurant is difficult and can be a frustrating experience.
Customers make reservations up to a year in advance. And if you do manage to score a date, it certainly won't be cheap.
How to eat sushi
When it comes to eating sushi, there is a right way and a wrong way of doing so.
Nigiri must actually be turned upside down to dip the fish into the soy sauce—not the rice.
It is considered amateur to let the rice and sushi disintegrate.
Nigiri should be eaten inversely too.
Meaning that the fish should always be the first thing to touch your tongue.
Because of this upside down technique, you might be surprised to learn that nigiri is actually best consumed using your hands, and not with chopsticks.
Use chopsticks for eating sashimi, instead.
The ginger that is often served alongside your sushi isn't meant to be eaten with your meal.
It is meant instead to cleanse the palate between different bites of fish.
And the greatest insult to an itamae when eating sushi?
Peeling the fish off your nigiri.
Balance
In the end, sushi is all about balance of flavor.
For example, too little rice and the fish becomes overpowering.
International Sushi Day
A fantastic day to go for some sushi is June 18.
International Sushi Day is celebrated annually, worldwide.
Health benefits
There are many nutritional benefits from eating sushi.
It might even help you live longer.
Misawo Okawa
Until her death in 2015, Misawo Okawa was the oldest living person on the planet following the passing of Jiroemon Kimura.
The Japanese woman was 117 years old.
Her secret to a long life?
Eating sushi, according to the Daily Mail.
Nyotaimori
In Japanese culture, nyotaimori is the practice of eating sushi off a naked woman.
Outside of Japan, there are many restaurants in North America that offer this type of service.
However, guests are expected to adhere to appropraite behavior at all times.
Talking with the models or making lewd comments is highly frowned upon.
Nyotaimori is considered an art form.
But still, the practice is seen as very controversial by some.
People who condemn the practice call it humiliating, degrading, and sexually objectifying.
Eating sushi
But no matter how you choose to consume your sushi...
... whether off a traditional Japanese wooden platter or off a human body...
...using chopsticks or your hands...
Experience
... eating sushi should be an experience to enjoy and savor. So...
