2 posts tagged “sushi”
We have finally come to the moment everyone has been waiting for in our series about how to enjoy and "experience" sushi. We have already discussed the visual, audio, and olfactory aspects of the sushi experience. Now, we will talk about how to eat sushi.
You do NOT just grab sushi and chomp it down. That would be like "chugging" a fine, red wine. Go to Japan and you will find people who sit in sushi bars for hours and eat about three pieces of sushi. That is because they are looking for the true sushi experience, not nutrition.
Here's what they do in Japan. First, take the piece of sushi and hold it in front of your eyes. Take in the hue and the contours. Then, open your mouth and place the sushi on top of your tongue. Let it sit there for a few seconds as the aroma and taste fill your mouth. Then, move your tongue up and crush the sushi against the roof of your mouth. This provides the most area for your taste buds to interact with the sushi. Slowly chew the sushi, but take your time, it's not a race.
After awhile, when you have drained all the flavor out of the fish you may swallow. You will be left with the lingering after taste of wasabi, Japanese horseradish. Then, when you are finished, have a sip of hot, green tea and a bite of fresh, pickled ginger. Close your eyes and file the memory away. You are now ready for your second piece.
Now that is how to eat sushi!
We are continuing with our series on the sensory adventure that can be found at a good sushi bar. As we have talked about, Sushi should not be considered mere food any more than wine should be considered a "drink." Both sushi and wine are complicated experiences that can be appreciate by all five senses. If you have grabbed a California Roll on the go and chased it down with a swig of coke, you have not experiences sushi. On the other hand, if you are sitting in a nice, airy sushi bar and watching the chefs make up the pieces and rolls for you, you may be on the right track.
We have already discussed how to use your eyes and your nose to understand sushi. Today, we are going to venture to a topic that is almost never discussed in sushi circles: the sound of sushi. Yes, just as we use our senses of sight, smell, touch, and taste, we can also use our ears to enjoy our sushi.
Sushi is so complicated that one must concentrate to fully appreciate its intricacies. Sitting in a loud restaurant with crying children nearby just won't do. Likewise, many American sushi bars are now trying to be hip by blasting techno pop music at the sushi bar. Great for dancing but terrible for breaking down sushi. No, one needs a quiet oasis to explore the refinements of sushi. While this is difficult in any public setting, the best sushi bars are able to do it.
They use sound absorbing curtains everywhere around the bar. Sushi chefs actually use their hands when making sushi. One of the reasons is that it is much quieter to prepare food with your hands than with a spatula. When you order a piece of sushi, the best chefs will simply nod their heads to show that they heard you. The less talk the better.
Wooden serving trays and chop sticks eliminate the garish sound that china and silverware can make. Although, a true sushi connoisseur does not use chop sticks. The true expert eats with his of her hands. Again, it keeps sound to a minimum and enjoyment to a maximum.
