The right way to eat sushi is…

Indian Express

27-07-2025

Sushi isn't just a dish — it's a refined culinary art rooted in tradition. An integral part of Japanese cuisine, its appeal lies in its unique flavours, textures and presentations. India has been indulging in Japanese cuisine for some time now. When juggling between chopsticks and hands, we might lose focus of the right way of eating sushi. Indianexpress.com reached out to a seasoned chef to bring you a guide to elevate your sushi eating experience with the right tips and tricks.
'To honor its authenticity, start by eating each piece mindfully. Use the pickled ginger to cleanse your palate between pieces—not as a topping,' said Executive Chef Tamoghna Chakraborty, DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield, Bangalore.
When it comes to soy sauce, he suggested pouring a small amount and gently dip the fish side in, not the rice. For maki rolls, dip just the nori edge to avoid breakage and flavor imbalance. Avoid drenching sushi, as it overpowers the subtle notes.
'It is also important to use the right product. Naturally brewed soy sauce is the best for sushi, because it has less sodium content so, comparatively a less salty option,' he said.
Chakraborty also advised against mixing wasabi into soy sauce. Instead, place a small dab directly onto the fish. Traditional sushi bars use real wasabi root—unlike the imitation paste often served elsewhere.
'Always eat sushi promptly to experience the intended temperature and texture. Sushi is crafted with warm rice and crisp nori—not meant to sit long,' he said.
Lastly, avoid adding extra sauces. Trust the chef's precision; every element is there for a reason—respecting both the craft and culture.
To have a better sushi eating experience, first, you need to understand what is the difference between the varieties of sushi like maki rolls, ura maki rolls, sashimi, nigiri and temaki.
Chef Vaibhav Bhargava of Cho, Delhi told indianexpress.com that while maki rolls have the seaweed sheet or nori outside and the fillings safely rolled inside, ura maki rolls are just the opposite where the nori on the inside while the rice is on the outside, and often have a layer of sesame seeds or other ingredients on the rice.
Sashimi, which is not technically a sushi, puts the emphasis on the quality and freshness of the thinly-sliced raw fish, which may or may not have rice, and is eaten with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.
Nigiri is a much more traditional sushi, which consists of a small bed of vinegared rice with a slice of raw fish or seafood on top. It is typically garnished with a bit of wasabi and sometimes secured with a strip of seaweed or a thin band of nori.
Temaki is a hand-rolled sushi, and goes by the ancient ideals of sushi being made and eaten by hand. It is prepared by wrapping rice, fish, vegetables and other fillings in a cone-shaped piece of nori.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.