About Sushi Bars

Many Westerners are put off by the fact that sushi is often served raw. But sushi bars are aesthetically beautiful and culturally unique; plus, many types of sushi are actually cooked.

History

The idea of pairing rice with fish and vinegar was started back in the 1700s by a Japanese chef named Yohei who owned a restaurant in Tokyo. Sushi quickly became a popular Japanese meal and art form. Today, sushi bars are the most popular restaurants in Japan.

Features

Sushi bars are very focused on the aesthetic presentation of sushi. Unlike straightforward American restaurants, sushi bars have very formal procedures for serving food. Before sushi is served, customers receive towels to wipe their hands with. There are rules regarding when you receive your chopsticks and where you should put your chopsticks when you are not using them.

Considerations

In a Japanese sushi bar, sushi is not eaten with chopsticks, but picked up with the diner's fingers. The only drinks considered appropriate are beer, sake and tea. Also, those eating at a sushi bar are not supposed to pass food around.

Types

One of the most interesting types of sushi bars is the conveyor-belt sushi bar. Sushi chefs place the sushi on an conveyor belt and the customer picks up his sushi, thus increasing the efficiency and eliminating the need for more staff. Other sushi bars are set up at counters where customers sit on stools. Sometimes, these sushi bars do not have plates, and the sushi chef places the sushi right on the counter.

Considerations

Japanese restaurants in both Japan and America often include sushi bars, where customers can go before or after their meals in order to have a sushi fix. Customers also often have the option of having sushi brought to their table at any time, which makes the sushi somewhat of an expensive appetizer.