Ever walked into a bustling sushi train restaurant (kaitenzushi) and felt a bit different from the traditional one? Colourful plates run on a conveyor belt, customers choose their own meals. It’s exciting, but sometimes, unspoken rules can leave you feeling a little awkward.
No worries! We want your sushi train experience to be amazing, and that includes feeling confident and comfortable. So, we’ve put together a simple guide on sushi etiquette, specifically for the wonderful world of the conveyor belt.
Wielding Chopsticks Like a Master
In a sushi restaurant, chopsticks are your trusty tools, but they come with a few unwritten rules:
- DO use them to pick up your sushi. For nigiri (fish on rice), it’s perfectly acceptable and often encouraged to use your hands for it helps maintain the sushi’s delicate shape.
- DO rest your chopsticks on the provided chopstick rest or on their paper wrapper when not in use.
- DON’T pass food directly from your chopsticks to someone else’s chopsticks. If sharing, place the sushi on a small plate for them to pick up.
The Soy Sauce Dipping Rules
Soy sauce is a fantastic condiment, but a dip goes a long way.
- DO pour a small amount of soy sauce into your personal dipping dish.
- DO dip your sushi fish-side down into the soy sauce just lightly. This prevents the rice from soaking up too much sauce and falling apart.
- DON’T drown your sushi in soy sauce. The aim is to enhance, not to overpower, the flavours.
- DON’T mix wasabi directly into your soy sauce. Usually, the chef has already added the perfect dab of wasabi between the fish and rice. If you want more, dab a tiny bit directly onto the fish.
The Pickled Ginger: Your Palate Cleanser Power
The thinly sliced pickled ginger (gari) served with sushi isn’t just a garnish, it bears a very important role. That’s why they also have their own do’s and dont’s.
- DO eat a small cut of ginger between different types of sushi. Its slightly spicy taste is meant to cleanse your palate, preparing your taste buds for the next unique flavour.
- DON’T eat ginger on top of your sushi. This can alter the intended flavour profile of the sushi itself.
Decoding the Plates Colour
At a sushi train, the colour of the plates meant different menu and prices.
- DO pay attention to the different colours or patterns of the plates. Each colour typically corresponds to a different price, usually indicated on a chart at your table or nearby.
- DO stack your empty plates neatly at your table. This makes it easy for the staff to count them at the end of your meal and ensures an accurate bill.
- DON’T put plates back on the conveyor belt once you’ve taken them, even if you haven’t touched the sushi. Once it leaves the belt, it’s yours!
- DON’T touch plates on the belt unless you intend to take them. Hygiene is key for everyone’s enjoyment.
Conveyor Belt Courtesies to Make Your Experience Enjoyable
Beyond the specific rules, a few general courtesies make the sushi train experience fun for all:
- DO take only what you intend to eat.
- DO order special items or anything not currently on the belt directly from the staff or via a touchscreen (if available).
- DO enjoy your sushi after taking it from the belt for the freshest taste.
- DO avoid wearing a strong fragrance when dining in at kaitenzushi as it will interfere with the delicious aroma of freshly-made sushi.
Share the Sushi Savvy!
Now you’re equipped with the knowledge to navigate any sushi restaurant with confidence and grace. Why not put your new skills to the test by stopping by Pika Sushi Drouin and enjoy the fantastic options of our train? Also, if you found this guide helpful, share it with your friends and family. Let’s make sure everyone can enjoy the sushi experience without a single worry!
