Japanese Food, Sushi !

What is shusi?
Sushi is not raw fish. Raw fish is called sashimi in Japan and is not the same as sushi. Sushi indicates foods that use rice seasoned with sweet rice-wine vinegar. Of course, raw fish is the most popular ingredient in sushi, but the main element of sushi is Japanese sticky rice. There are many kinds of sushi, which don't include raw fish. Cooked fish, shellfish, and various other ingredients can be combined in sushi.

Sushi Came From China
The origin of sushi is not Japan. It is said that sushi was introduced into Japan in the 7th century from China. People began making sushi to preserve fish by fermentation when there were no refrigerators. Since salt and rice were needed in order to ferment fish, sushi became to be closely related to rice in Japan. Then, it developed into current sushi which combine fish.

How to Eat Sushi

1. Clean your hands by using an oshibori (hot towel).
2. Put soy sauce for dipping in the small dish.
3. Mix a bit of wasabi (Japanese horse radish) with the soy sauce if you want. Since wasabi is already placed in each sushi piece, you don't need to do this.
4. When you eat nigiri-zushi (hand-pressed sushi), pick up one sushi piece between your thumb and middle finger, putting the index finger on top.
5. Dip the end of the neta (ingredients/fish slices side) into the soy sauce.(not the rice part)
6. Bring the sushi to your mouth and bite in half.
7. Before your next bite, again dip the neta side in the soy sauce.
8. When you eat maki-zushi(rolled sushi), place the whole piece in your mouth if you can. Maki-zushi falls apart easily when you bite.

Sushi Restaurants in Japan
For more information about sushi restaurant in Japan, please read in this link. Sushi Restaurant.