By Mark Etinger

Are you a sushi beginner? Never been out for an evening of Japanese seafood dining? Then get yourself ready with the following essential information about how to get the most out of your sushi dining experience.

10 things to know about dining out for sushi

1. This is NOT Chinese food. Far too many people walk into a fine neighborhood sushi establishment and immediately request the Chow Mein special with a chicken egg roll. That’s Chinese food, people. Sushi is a fresh, raw and healthy delicacy from Japan.

2. Watch out for the sake. Sake looks harmless enough; it is served from decorative bottles in tiny cups and glasses. But watch out for the alcohol kick from this strong spirit. To experience a sushi restaurant in full, enjoy a glass – but in keep it all in moderation.

3. Start with cooked menu items. It is a common misconception that all sushi is raw. Beginners may want to give cooked items such as California rolls or unagi (eel) a try before moving on to raw dishes.

4. Stick with what you know. Many of the types of fish you have enjoyed for years are available at a sushi bar – simply in raw form. If you like salmon or grouper – stick with their raw equivalent when ordering sushi for the first time.

5. Be prepared for the omakase. Omakase is loosely translated as “chef’s choice” and ordering it puts you in the hands of the experienced sushi chef. Bear in mind, that while this option may indeed produce some delightful dishes, they may be a little too advanced for the novice palette.

6. Go veggie if you like. Did you know that you can eat a completely satisfying sushi dinner without eating any fish? It’s easy if you stick to the vegetable rolls (such as the cucumber roll) and substitute veggies for seafood in other dishes.

7. It’s good to ask questions. At some snootier fine dining establishments (French restaurants, we’re looking in your direction) asking questions is frowned upon. However, at sushi bars, questions are encouraged. The best sushi chefs love to talk about their craft and share insight into the different dishes they will be serving.

8. Sushi is a healthy meal. Sushi is low in fat, filled with important nutrients and packed with vital protein. If you eat out once a week, it is much better for your body than a burger joint or chain restaurant.

9. Start the kids out young. The best way to raise a child with a sophisticated palette is to introduce them to different dishes at a young age. Taking them to a fun sushi restaurant is a great way to start them out on a life-long love of great seafood and Japanese cuisine.

10. You can enjoy sushi AND keep kosher. More and more, sushi restaurants are offering full kosher options as part of their menu. That means individuals who wish to maintain a strict adherence to their kosher diet can enjoy all the fun and good taste of a real sushi bar.

When was the last time you had really great sushi? OK, how about the last time you had really great kosher sushi! Sushi K Bar is New York’s favorite kosher sushi restaurant and home to some of the freshest, most delicious seafood you have ever eaten. Hand-selected chefs from Japan will prepare your sushi delights with great care using only the best vegetables and of course, the most flavorful fish in the sea. To see the entire menu, and learn more about how yummy kosher sushi can be, visit http://www.sushikbar.com today.

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Ultimate Fighting Match of Top Sushi Chefs

Introduction:

If memory serves me right, “Nigiri” style sushi dates from the Edo era. Sushi was fast food for the common folk to pick up from vendors, and was called “Edo-mae-zushi.” The artistic harmony between seafood and vinegared rice. Sushi has now become the ultimate international Japanese food.

I also love sushi. And I think it’s about time we had a sushi battle. So it is that actor and film director Naoto Takenaka has strongly recommended to me a particular sushi bar.
A chef who take pride in being in the vanguard of Edo-mae style, which has a tradition of 180 years. Maximizing the flavors of seafood in season. Sounds good. Come in and show us that.

Today’s challenger: an evangelist of Edo-style sushi. Owner of Sushi-sho in Yotsuya. Chef Keiji Kakazawa. He entered this field at age 15. During the first 10 years, he apprenticed at many top sushi bars. And at Kyubei, one of the top sushi bars in Ginza, he completed this training. And at only 30, he opened his own place, Sushi-sho in Yotsuya, to carry on the tradition of Edo style sushi. Nakazawa’s works are fusions of traditional and modern ideas. They speak of the heart of Edo culture.

Takenaka visited the challenger to loosen him up before the battle. Now, Nakazawa! Use your skills that Takenaka trusts and show us what Edo food culture is all about!