TOKYO PART 3: THE 12 COMMANDMENTS OF SUSHI

I am a Sushi Lover. Yes, I am.

In Tokyo I found my paradise. My greatest wish was to go to Sukiyabashi Jiro restaurant, a small jewel, owned and operated by sushi master Jiro Ono, located in a metro station in Ginza, and able to accommodate only a few. The film Jiro dreams of Sushi was enough to make me love sushi even more, and it’s a pity I didn’t get to visit Sukiyabashi Jiro and meet Mister Jiro in person.

Just to get an idea, to eat there, you need to book a month ahead of time, and the minimum you’ll have to pay is 300 euro. But I’ll tell you this: I think it’s a unique experience, and if you love sushi, you’ll want to learn the art behind it, and a sushi master can teach you a lot.

Wandering around t he ancient district of Asakusa on the first day, and around Kinky and Fantastic Shibuya on the second day, I tasted lots of local delicacies (fried chickens, soups, crab salads etc), but my desire for sushi was unquenchable. It was hard to swallow that Sukiyabashi Jiro was not available, but I found another little jewel instead. Small, fresh, delicate, super hospitable, and with a crazy sushi chef, who proved to be the best teacher.

You can see that, anyway, right?

I mean, he did give me his knife…

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Among all the crazy and amazing things I experienced inside that little sushi diamond, I also learnt the 12 Commandments of Sushi. Do you know them? Because sushi is an art – both in its making and in its consumption. So put down the soya sauce and become a Sushi Expert. Let the others cast sideway glances in the next sushi restaurant you visit. As if they know better…

(I almost lost a hand when I dared let the rice touch the soya sauce)

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THE 12 COMMANDMENTS OF SUSHI

1. Don’t drown the sushi

Don’t dip the sushi in soya sauce because you spoil the taste of the fish, which is a pity, especially if the fish is fresh. As for the rice, NEVER eat it with soya sauce (I find this rule hard to follow, though).

2. Gimme Ginger

Yes, that amazing mountain of ginger in the corner of your plate is there to use after each sushi bite, because it cleanses your palate before your next bite. Not to mention, it’s the no.1 detox food.

3. One sushi - One Bite.

Don’t dismantle it, don’t cut it (lord, that happens too), and don’t splice it. Whatever you grab, you should eat in one bite.

4. Eat Rolls First.

Your maki rolls, your dragon rolls, your California rolls, and everything that comes wrapped up in seaweed, must be eaten first. Think of them like starters, and always reserve the ‘good’ dish for the end.

5. Avoid ‘all-you-can-eat’ restaurants

Because you won’t eat real sushi there, and you won’t see the art behind it. Real sushi is not to be bargained with, and it would best if you didn’t get stingy.

6. Bye Wasabi, Bye.

Do not add wasabi in your soya dish. Proper sushi already has wasabi in it, and, if you want more, it’s better to put it directly on the fish.

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7. Use Chopsticks. Not.

Here opinions diverge. Some lists will tell you to use your hands, while others will urge you to grab the chopsticks. I’ve seen both, especially in Tokyo, and my sushi chef put the chopsticks on the side.

8. Αmerican Sushi.

The California rolls, the dragon rolls, the Philadelphia rolls, etc, are not REAL SUSHI. They are American contraptions made to fit their own diet. Even though they are amazing, they are not considered real Japanese sushi. Cheese and ketchup on the sushi? Please, no.

9. And On The 7th Day, He Did Not Eat Sushi.

Most sushi restaurants in Japan are closed on Mondays, because there is no fresh fish on Sundays. Antony Bourdain, himself, in fact, has said, “No fish on Mondays” (I guess this holds true only in Japan, though).

10. Beware of Freshwater Fish.

It’s better to know who makes the sushi and how good the fish is, especially since you eat it raw.

11. Take-Out Sushi is a Sin.

In just a few words, take-out sushi is a sin!

12. Enrich Your Order.
The rolls are great, I love them myself, and they are always a safe and tasty choice. However, I think one should vary one’s order, from time to time.

And I’ll add my own commandment as well:

13. Eat Edamame Βeans, with plenty of salt, like there’s no tomorrow!

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At Sushi-Arisugawa I had amazing sushi and went beyond my personal limits. I usually stop somewhere around the rolls, but this time I varied my order and tried some great fresh fish, for a change. I did not dip it in soya sauce, I used my hand to pick up a shrimp, and stayed away from the chopsticks.

I met some lovely, polite, and hospitable people, I widened my horizons, and, once again, I said YES to something new.

Let me say it again, travels are the world’s best University.

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Are you a Sushi Lover?