THE SUSHI GUIDE
At over 150 terms I have attempted to compile as comprehensive a list of sushi fish and a guide to sushi terms as possible. Sushi and its related fish can become confusing and many diners and restaurants, and lesser chefs, casually mistake and confuse the terms and the fish. The guide goes beyond sushi staples like shrimp, salmon and tuna. Many of the items may not be available locally or only have Japanese terms. Where possible I have tried to indicate seasonality and availability and added my own subjective experience tasting the item.
I recommend treating sushi with respect and focusing on quality as opposed to surrendering to the temptation of low-grade or cheap fish at the hands of uninformed restaurant owners and their chefs. Inside-out rolls with the nori hidden within, California rolls and the like laden with avocado and salmon and all-you-can-eat joints are particular offenders.
I have added a downloadable document at the bottom of this entry should you wish to download the below as a reference guide.
A
Abura Bozu Escolar This fish, also known as Butterfish, is valued by some for its oily and buttery taste. It is sometimes served as White Tuna (Tombo) or Shiro Maguro or called Shizu. I was recently surprised to find it at a high end Sushi restaurant because it is reputed to be difficult for humans to digest. Even though it is fished in the south of Japan and the South China Sea it is not served or eaten in Japan. Canada recommends that Butterfish’s fattier parts be excluded when the fish is served.
Ainame Rock Trout It is sometimes called a ‘fat fish’ and eaten in the spring time. This fish lives exclusively near Japan and Korea.
Aji Spanish or Horse Mackerel A medium oily fish that sushi bars serve with grated ginger and citrus sauce. Aji is a small fish served in the summer. The word means ‘taste’ in Japanese. Known as Jack Fish, as it is not truly a Mackerel, Aji has a yellow line running across its length. Aji may be infested especially in its mouth and, as such, needs to be properly cleansed. May be referred to as Maaji.
Akaamadai See Amadai
Akaei Stingray This fish is rarer, but when eaten it may be accompanied by Ponzu sauce.
Akagai Red Clam or Bloody Clam It is typically available in the winter, spring and summer. Like all clams it is high in texture and, therefore, chewy. Akagai is the clam’s legs and also called Ark Shell. Aka-gai is quite easy to identify as it looks like a wilted flower, of course, once it is taken out of its shell. The taste is sweeter than most clams. It might be served vinegared and could be a sushi or sashimi. It is called ‘red,’ but the colour is more typically off-orange.
Akamachi Ruby Snapper This Snapper has a lighter shade of red on its scales.
Akami Red Tuna All types of red tuna are called Akami or Akame. This family of fish is at its height in the winter. See Maguro as an example.
Akayagara Cornet Fish Akayagara is fished near Japan. It is called Yagara in its shortened form. It is a healthy fish to eat.
Akoudai Red Rockfish This winter fish is best cooked. Also known as Menuke, this bright red fish is related to Kinmedai.
Amadai Tile Fish or Horse Head This fish is suitable for sashimi and available in the winter. It is a relative of Tai. Also known as Akaamadai.
Ama ebi Sweet Shrimp It is well cleansed and served raw at good sushi restaurants. It is alternately written as Amaebi and found in colder waters.
Anago Sea Water Eel or Conger Eel A lighter and fluffier version of its more popular cousin, unagi. It is topped with green onions and Teriyaki sauce. The sauce is made from soy sauce, sugar, salt and MSG. Anago is served simmered or pre-cooked and served grilled towards the end of a sushi course. Anago traditionally comes from Tokyo Bay, but is now farmed as well.
Ankimo Monkfish’s Liver Ankimo is served after simmering. It is a pate often served with Ponzu sauce (a Japanese citrus-based vinegar sauce) after being rinsed with Sake. The fish (Anko) is caught through indiscriminate bottom trawling and best avoided.
Anko Monkfish, Frogfish or Angler Also spelt Ankou or Ankoo, like Unagi and Fugu Anko has its own dedicated restaurants. It might be used as a stew as well. I believe this fish’s liver is used for making pate. The fish is found in the winter.
Aoyagi Yellow Clam it is also known as the Round Clam or Surf Clam.
Arakabu Scorpion Fish This small and spotty looking fish is available in the winter. It is also called Kasago as Stinger Fish. It is fished in the Fukuoka waters. Expect a firm fish.
Awabi Abalone Awabi is an expensive and tasty snail. It is quite free of contaminants. It has a strong sea aroma and is sometimes salted and served in soy sauce. The best Awabi is available in the summer. Awabi is likely the oldest component of sushi to be eaten in Japan. Tokobushi is the Round Abalone of Japan.
Ayu Sweet Fish It is small and grilled member of the Trout (Masu) family. Ayu is rarely eaten raw. It has the appearance of Unagi when served and is a relative of Trout.
B
Baigai Japanese Ivory Shell. It is akin to a small snail and prized in Japan as Sahimi.
Bintoro Albacore This is a warm water fish with an oily, sometimes deemed buttery, taste. Bintoro is often flamed or grilled.
Buri Adult Yellowtail This yellowtail is expected to be 90 cms or longer and approximately 5 kgs in weight. It is best eaten in the winter when it is most fatty. Most Buri is farmed.
C
Chippu Sockeye Salmon This fish is also known as Red Salmon.
Chutoro Marbled Belly of Tuna near the belly Expensive medium fatty cut of Tuna from near the flank and belly of the fish.
D
Datsu Needlefish A lone ‘D’ entry, this fish is often confused with Sayori.
E
Ebi Tiger Shrimp It is typically served cooked (boiled), but the raw form is also eaten as sashimi. Ebi is also served in tempura batter.
Engawa Dorsal muscle of Hirami Fluke or Halibut’s dorsal muscle. It is available year round, but is more common in the summer.
F
Fugu Blowfish or Putterfish How would you like to be paralysed? Fugu, nowadays, is more likely a restaurant name than a menu item. Blowfish is toxic and cannot be commonly sold as it can fatally poison its eater if incorrectly cut or prepared. Chefs need to be specially licensed to cut Fugu as the liver contains the toxins. As such, the fish should not pose any danger if the toxins have been correctly removed by a licenced chef. The sale of the genus is banned by the European Union. Fugu is served at specialty restaurants in Japan, which are called Fuguya. Blowfish Sashimi is called Tessa. Fugu Mirin Boshi refers to the snack or appetizer that is dried Blowfish seasoned in Mirin or Sake.
Fugu: This hanging Fugu is the closest I have been to this fish
Funa Crucian or Carp An olden type of sushi. It is traditionally eaten in its preserved i.e. fermented form.
G
Gatsuo Bonito See Katsuo (also known as Hagatsuo when referring to Skipjack Tuna).
Geso Squid legs Typically served as part of a stew or fried.
Gindara Sablefish This fish is most commonly served as blackcod, although many restaurants substitute other fish for the same menu item. Also known as Coalfish, it is an oily fish, but could contain high levels of lead as it is in the upper food chain of fish.
H
Hagatsuo Skipjack Tuna A light fish that is confused with Gatsuo. Hagatsuo is striped.
Hamachi Yellowtail A popular sushi item, despite it typically being farmed, which is beautiful in its white to yellow to red and pink transition. The word ‘hamachi’ technically refers to younger Yellowtail, but is commonly used to refer to all Yellowtail fish. It is 30 to 60 centimeters long and approximately 3 kg. The term is often interchangeable with Inada. The best and fattier Hamachi, which might be buri, is found in the winter in the Pacific ocean. Yellowtail is more popular and more expensive the bigger and the older it gets. In short, however, one type or the other of yellowtail is available at some time in the year.
Hamachi Kama Yellowtail Collar The ‘collar’ of Yellowtail served grilled.
Hamachi Sunazuri Belly Of Yellowtail The fatty part of Yellowtail.
Hamadai Red Snapper A precious fish that is more often confused than served correctly.
Hamaguri Clam An unpopular item owing to its strong taste. It is a hard shell.
Hamo Pike Eel This eel looks like a sea snake and best eaten in the summer. It is found in Japan.
Hata Grouper Hata is a shortened form of Mahata
Hatahata Sandfish Hatahata is found in the north of Japan.
Hawara American Mackerel Hawara is a more plain version of Saba and fished in North America.
Haze Goby Also may be called Mahaze
Hikari Mono Shiny Things This Is A Generic Term For Silver Fish Like Saba, Aji Or Kohada. It is also called Hikarimono.
Himijako Giant Clam
Hirame Fluke or Flounder It is the name for the white flat fishes that are typically served at the beginning of a course of sushi. Due to Flounder living in the sands at the bottom of the ocean the diner might discern a faint earthy taste. Hirame’s season is the cold of winter. Halibut, which is often what people think Hirame is, should be called Ohyo. Even the film Jiro Dreams Of Sushi mistakes the fish on the screen. It is fished on North America’s East Coast.
Hokkigai Surf Clam Hokkigai is most popular in the Hokkaido area of Japan. What is served is the top part of the clam. This part of the body is immersed in water to dispel and separate the sand and other sea particles. The colour transitions from pink to red to crimson. The peak season for Hokkigai is late spring or early summer.
Hotate or Hotategai Bay Scallops This is likely the best-known shellfish. When Westernized it is served with mayonnaise or hot sauce. It is popular as a roll. Hotategai is Giant or Sea Scallops.
I
II-dako Young Octopus The small young Octopi are usually appetizers.
Ika Squid or Cuttlefish Ika is served as a sushi or sashimi or an ingredient in soup or hand rolls. Ika is also served as a tempura. Connoisseurs believe the best season for Ika is the spring.
Ikura Salmon Roe The name likely stems from the word ‘caviar’ which is fish roe. Ikura also means ‘how much?’ It is likely the highest source of fish oil, but it would correspondingly be high in cholesterol. Ikura is sometimes decoratively used on top of Japanese dishes.
Inada Young Yellowtail This Yellowtail is around a year old and one-foot in length. It is the less expensive or less popular of the Amberjack family.
Isaki Grunt Also known as either Three Line Grunt or Pigfish, Isaki is found in the sub-Antarctic near Chile, Argentina and Brazil, as well as near Japan’s main island. It is off-white and moderately fatty. Its taste is akin to Tai.
Ise-ebi Crawfish Actually a Lobster
Itoyori Golden Thread Like Tai this is a fish that needs its scales removed first. It is served in the autumn and winter.
Iwana Char
Iwashi Sardine This very healthy fish – low lead content – is one of the less expensive and less favoured fish. It is a shiny fish best eaten in the winter. Sardine is named after the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean. Due to its strong taste and smell it is balanced by green onions and ginger in much the same way Aji is treated. It is sometimes called Maiwashi.
Izumidai Tilapia Izumidai is akin to Hamadai or Suzuki. Most Izumidai nowadays is farmed.
K
Kaibashira Adductor Muscle Of Shellfish Likely the adductor muscle of Scallops or Hotate at a Sushi bar.
Kajiki Swordfish It is increasingly unpopular due to amount of mercury therein. It is also called Marlin. Kajiki is more formally known as Makajiki when one refers to blue marlin. Swordfish’s name is inspired by its elongated bill. It is an oily fish.
Kaki Oyster Kaki is quite delicate and needs to be fresh. Could be served as part of a main meal or as an appetizer in deep fried form.
Kamasu Barracuda Also known as Whiting, Kamasu is usually served as a grilled fish with rice, but can be served as a sashimi. Barracuda is a fast predatory fish that can swim at speeds over 100 km/h. Akakamasu is Red Barracuda.
Kani Crab Meat Fresh crab is used as sushi or as a meal if it is snow crab or Zuwaigani. Watch out for fake Kani. Crab is increasingly an item to which some are allergic.
Kampachi See Kanpachi The Japanese ‘n’ character is pronounced as an almost silent ‘m’ hence yielding this translation and pronouncement of the word.
Kanpachi Amberjack Kanpachi is also known as Great Amberjack. It is sometimes served with a citrus juice. Expect to find it in the summer. This fish is similar to Hamachi, but bigger and more favoured.
Karasu Garei Atlantic Halibut or Greenland Halibut Karasu Garei means ‘cow flounder’ and is a type of Hirame.
Karei Winter Flounder A variation of Hirame. Another translation for Karei is Flatfish. Karei is light pink when served and is uneven. A white fish sometimes mistaken for Hirame. The name is occasionally used for Sole. Either way, the fish is probably better eaten as fish and chips than sushi. Halibut is the largest of this family of fish. It is a winter favourite, but less desirable than Hirame.
Kasugodai Child Snapper The name of the fish means ‘spring’s child snapper.’ This small snapper is found on the Japanese coast and like most snappers popular in Japan.
Katakuchi-Iwashi Anchovy A relative of Sardines. It is relatively toxin-free.
Katsuo Bonito Katsuo, or Gatsuo, is typically served with grated ginger and green onions to counter the strong meaty taste. Its dried shavings are used as garnish or ingredients in soups and more. It is the main ingredient in Dashi or ‘stock’ and Miso soup. As an inexpensive fish it is also grilled. It is caught in both the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean in the autumn. It is mistaken for Skipjack tuna. It is a Mackerel relative and formally called Sodakatsuo.
Kawahagi Filefish This fish reminds one of a fossil. It even looks two-dimensional. It is a summer fish.
Kazunoko Herring Roe The roe of Nishin or Herring means ‘many Children.’ This yellow-ish sushi owes its colours to its origin, but also how it is either pickled or dried. Kazunoko may be served to celebrate New Year.
Kibinago Silver Herring or Pond Herring It is best found and eaten in the spring. It is a ‘tiny fish.’
Kidai Yellow Seabream A variety of Seabream or Tai. It is also called Yellow Porgy and can grow to 40 cms. It is high in Mercury content.
Kihada Yellowfin Tuna This fish is a tropical hence its Hawaiian name, Ahi. Also called Pink Tuna, it is either used for steak and typically served slightly seared. Ahi is a Hawaiian name, which also indicates the fish’s habitat. It can grow up to 120 kgs. Yellowfin Tuna is becoming scarce, but sources are not as depleted as Bluefin.
Kinmedai Golden Eye Snapper or Alfonsino This red fish is fatty and best eaten in the winter.
Kisu Sillago Kisu is barely known outside Japan, where it is fished, where it is usually used when making tempura. It is a Whiting.
Kohada Gizzard Sardine Kohada is a large sardine. It is one of the silver fishes and, as such, medium oily. It has an intense taste. When older it is called Konoshiro.
Koi Carp Koi lives in the salty waters of open seas. It comes in a variety of colours and nowadays mostly used for ornamental purposes.
Konoshiro See Kohada
Kujiro Whale Repeatedly made illegal around the world and by international organizations the Japanese maintain a whaling fleet, which they often refer to as research vessels, and have been known to circumvent the international anti-whaling will going after this mammal. The flesh is chewy, dark red to brown and heavy.
Kurage Jellyfish Rarely offered and has a neutral tasteless feeling. One can occasionally find the fish served in a Kurage Salad.
Kurodai Black Snapper This type of snapper is available in late summer. It is called black snapper, but is in fact grouped under the white fish. It is not as prized as the Red Snapper.
Kuromutsu Blue Fish See Mutsu
M
Madai Red Seabream or Sea Bream The name literally translates to the ‘genuine tai.’ It is a fish related to Tai. This savoury fish is also eaten grilled especially since it might contain parasites.
Maguro Tuna This red Bluefin tuna is a sushi staple. It is red to crimson. The Bluefin lives in colder waters than the yellow fin. Bluefin tuna is the world’s most expensive fish. Luckily it lives up to 40 years and can grow to over 100 kgs. Compare that to Salmon which typically lives two to five years. Bluefin is fished around Canada and the Mediterranean.
Mahata Sea Bass or Grouper This Sea Bass is Hawaiian and typically found in the winter months. It has vertical stripes on its body.
Makajiki Blue Marlin Makajiki is sometimes called Kajiki or Kurokajiki. It is becoming unpopular due to the amount of toxins in it. It might be called Marlin.
Manboh Ocean Sunfish The other use for this small fish is decorative and involves an aquarium.
Masago Smelt Fish Roe The roe is typically imported from Japan.
Masu Trout Masu is not considered high-end and is a close relative of Salmon. It mostly lives in freshwater lakes and rivers. This sets it apart from the sea Trout.
Mekajiki Swordfish This Swordfish is oily and likely toxic when eaten in large quantities. It is best eaten as a steak.
Mejimaguro Young Tuna. See Maguro.
Mejina Black Fish It is actually not black in colour. It looks closer to Hamachi. Gure is a large Black Fish.
Mentaiko Spicy Cod Roe It is not seasonal and is not inexpensive.
Mirugai Geoduck Also known as Giant Clam, Mirugai is an acquired taste that could be described as pungent. For these reasons it could be eaten with citrus, ponzu or soy sauce. It is regionally called Mirukui. It is formally called Shiromirugai.
Mutsu Shad Mustu can also be called Bluefish. They live off the Eastern Coast of North America. Mutsu (or Kuromutsu) is meaty, usually grilled and served with salt. It can be enjoyed year-round.
N
Nama Saba Raw Mackerel Nama Saba is actually Saba when unmarinated and served raw. In this case, the fish has to be quite fresh.
Namazu Catfish A cheap fish. Namazu is used as soup fodder.
Nijimasu Rainbow Trout This fish is related to salmon and is often farmed. It lives in both salt water and freshwater rivers or riverheads. Niji Masu is a relative of Masu.
Nishin Herring The Nishin is Herring from the Pacific Ocean.
Nori Seaweed The dried and salty Japanese algae are used to ‘roll’ sushi in. It is even available as a snack. Lower quality, or those used for purposes other than sushi, nori may be toasted.
O
Odori Ebi Live Shrimp Odori Ebi is eaten alive. It is not the only sea creature ingested while alive in Japan. The phrase means ‘dancing shrimp.’
Ohyo Halibut This is the correct Japanese word for Halibut, which people usually call Hirame. The Japanese fish obviously hail from the Pacific Ocean.
Okoze Stingfish It is also known as Devil Stinger
Oma-ru Lobster
Ono Wahoo Ono means ‘good to eat’ in Hawaiian. It is somewhere between Halibut and Yellowtail.
Otoro Fatty Tuna Belly The fattest cut of tuna’s belly. While it, along with chutoro, was shunned in traditional Japan the fatty taste is increasingly popular due to the influence of the western palate. Like all Toro this is an expensive item on a sushi menu.
P
Pahnagai Mussel Mussels are healthy to eat as, due to their nature, they collect little toxins.
S
Saba Mackerel A silver to red fish that is medium oily. It is typically served pre-marinated with vinegar in order to kill or prevent parasites. Very fresh Saba can be served raw. In that form it is called Nama Saba. Otherwise, Saba is also served in chirashi or grilled. Saba is rarely used in a roll owing to its strong taste. Unlike its Spanish cousin, Saba is found in the winter.
Sakana Fish
Sake Salmon Considered a poor choice for sushi by enthusiasts Salmon has nonetheless become one of the more popular sushi items owing to its oily taste and plentiful availability. It was traditionally shunned in Japan due to it being prone to parasites. Sake is typically treated, marinated or cooked due to said parasites. It is not to be confused with Japanese sake wine. Sake is used in various rolls like rainbow roll tazuna sushi. Most salmon is farmed and has an artificial orange colour. Sake can also be called Shake.
Same Shark Not eaten raw and not found at sushi restaurants unless it is under the counter.
Sanma Japanese Mackerel This shiny fish, also known as Pike, is inexpensive and available in the autumn. It also has a strong taste, a la Sardines, and eaten with a pinch of sauce. It is usually grilled however. It is also called Saury.
Sawagani Small Crabs
Sawara Japanese Spanish Mackerel This is the Japanese Aji.
Sayori Halfbeak This small fish is named so because of its elongated beak, with the lower one shorter than its upper one. It is served in the spring, but is rarely a favourite. Some people call it a Needlefish, which is Datsu.
Sazae Japanese Conch I would like to see one someday. It likely does not even have an English name. One can call it the Sea’s Snail.
Seigo Young Sea Bass A white fish. It is a young Suzuki.
Shako Mantis Shrimp This brownish shrimp has a stronger flavour than other shrimps.
Shiira Dolphin Japan’s maintains a secretive industry fishing Dolphins.
Shimaaji Striped Jack It is also known as White Trevally. This Aji relative is mostly farmed nowadays. In the wild it is found in warmer waters like the Indian Ocean or southern Pacific. Like Aji it is served with green onions or ginger. The wild Shima Aji is served in the summer.
Shirako The Sperm Sac Of Cod This is eaten with hot sauce.
Shirauo Icefish It is also called Whitebait. It would unfortunately be unlikely for this fish to make an appearance at a Sushi bar.
Shiro Maguro White Tuna This is actually white Albacore Tuna and is rare at the sushi bar. It looks like an off-white and lighter Saba.
Shishamo Willow Leaf Fish Shishamo is a small fish, approximately 10cms long, and typically eaten grilled or fried.
Suzuki Sea Bass A white fish with red or pink streaks that is available in the summer. The young Suzuki is called Seigo until it reaches 60 cms in length Suzuki is a popular sushi and sashimi menu item at the beginning of the course. The Chilean Sea Bass is endangered and best avoided.
T
Tachiuo Scabbard or Cutlass Fish The season for this small, but long and slender, fish is summer and autumn. It can be grilled. The fish is easily identifiable due to its whip-like tail.
Tai Sea Bream A white fish – despite its name – that is often misidentified and misrepresented at sushi restaurants as red snapper. Tai is considered an elite nigiri item by connoisseurs. It is likely the quintessential Japanese nigiri. It is available in the winter and spring. Madai is the proper name for the Red Seabream Snapper.
Tako Octopus with tentacles The part eaten is usually the ‘legs’ and is popular as a sashimi or in a salad. At better restaurants tako is served with a pinch of marine salt and citrus juice. Tako is difficult to digest in larger quantities. It is white when cooked, which is the prevalent method of eating it. Takoyaki, or grilled octopus, is another popular dish. Raw Octopus is Nama Tako.
Tamago Egg Omelette The Tamago is a sweetened and folded egg omelette. It is different than most items served as sushi as it requires preparation.
Tara Cod Tara is not often associated with the sushi bar. Many stocks of cod have collapsed in recent decades. Haddock is usually substituted for Cod.
Tarako Cod Roe It is salted roe from Cod, but occasionally is prepared from other fishes.
Tekka Tuna Called by this name when served as a roll as in tekkamaki.
Tessa Blowfish Sashimi When eaten as a Sashimi Fugu is called Tessa. Fugu is a white fish.
Tobiko Flying Fish Roe These roes of various flying fish are small bright to dark red translucent bubbles full of goodness. The colour could also vary between gold to orange. Served as a roll on its own or atop other sushi. These roe are tiny.
Tobiuo Flying Fish The many kinds of flying fish jump into the air for incredible lengths. Its meat is white and non-fatty. It is best enjoyed in the summer.
Torigai Cockle Torigai is the name for saltwater clam. It is found year-round, but best in the spring. The name means ‘bird clam’ in Japanese.
Toro Tuna Belly A fatty and expensive cut of tuna’s belly. It is rare and more popular in North America than in Japan. Also popular is rolls and hand rolls.
U
Unagi Fresh Water Eel Served broiled or seared and topped with teriyaki sauce. It is eaten with rice, called Unagiju when served in a bento box, or best eaten as the last sushi item of the meal. Unagi don, Unagi with rice in a bowl, is a popular meal. The sauce that it is served with is a mixture of salt, sugar and MSG with soy sauce. Unagi is usually eaten at the end of a course of sushi due to its heavier and darker taste and feel. In Japan, a few restaurants still focus exclusively in Unagi. It is most popular in the summer.
Uni Gonads Or Ovaries Of Male Or Female Sea Urchins One of the more expensive sushi menu items. Uni is an acquired taste. It needs cold water and, as such, could come from Northern Japan, West Coast of USA or Canada or the East Coast of either country. Canadian East Coast Uni is smaller and sweeter, while West Coast Uni is bigger and stronger in aftertaste. Good Uni is lighter in colour and has a mushy texture. Older Uni is darker and has a metallic taste. Some prefer the taste of Uni when red. Others swear by lighter Uni. A good alternative is to have it as a roll or a hand roll if one is not enthused about its pure form. It is typically eaten with a pinch of lemon juice or soy sauce.
W
Warasa Young Hamachi Warasa is even younger than Inada and least tasty of the Yellowtail family.
Z
Zuwaignai Snow Crab Snow Crab is typically served on its own. It is low in fat and toxins.
While we are here below is a condensed list of sushi related phrases and sushi types with associated items:
Aburi This type of sushi consists of blowtorched, or ‘roasted’ meat yielding fish – in the context of this guide - that is grilled on the outside. Aburi sushi is eaten without Shoyu and Wasabi.
Agari Green Tea This phrase is exclusive to sushi bars.
Chirashi Sushi/Zushi scattered sushi: This is a bowl of rice, which is made more compactly than the more prevalent sushi rice, covered with fish, seafood or vegetables. The toppings are arranged artfully. A good chirashizushi has a top layer fully set with toppings.
Chusi (Chinese Sushi) is a term I have conceived to describe the modern phenomenon of Chinese owners and chefs serving sushi at their restaurants to a largely unsuspecting public. While there naturally are Chinese ‘itamae’ that serve fine sushi the majority of these establishments are denigrating the art of sushi and serving inferiority.
Futomaki Large Roll This roll is named so due to its oversized girth. It is the rare traditional Japanese roll and is filled with mushrooms, crab or shrimp, egg omelette and possibly radish.
Gari Pickled Ginger The Pickled Ginger is meant to cleanse the palate and tongue between servings of different types of sushi. It is often coloured pink, but in its better form should be yellow. It is not to be eaten as food or appetizer, but used sparingly to prepare for the next type of sushi.
Hashi Chopsticks
Hikarimono Silvery Things is the name for the family of silver fishes like Saba, Aji and Sayori. Silver fish comprise the middle of a sushi meal nestled between white fish to start and red fish at the meal’s end.
Inarizushi is a deep fried ball of tofu filled with rice. Inari is named after the Shinto god.
Itamae is the sushi restaurant term for the chef.
Kappamaki Cucumber Roll Kappamaki is a roll with Japanese cucumbers. It is named after the mythical ‘Kappa’ or Japanese imp, which was supposed to like cucumber enough to steal it wherever it could find it.
Kushi (Korean Sushi) is a term I have conceived to describe the modern phenomenon of Korean owners and chefs serving sushi at their restaurants to a largely unsuspecting public. While there naturally are Korean ‘itamae’ that serve fine sushi the majority of these establishments are denigrating the art of sushi and serving inferiority.
Maki, or makizushi, is a sushi roll. It literally means rolled sushi. Makizushi is rice wrapped in nori (seaweed) in a cylindrical fashion topped with one or more items. The westernized version hides the seaweed wrapper inside and leaves the rice on the outside.
Murasaki is the term for Shoyu at the sushi restaurant.
Narezushi, or fermented sushi, is the traditional, or ancestral, form of sushi. Given how refrigeration was non-existent this form of sushi was commonly prepared pre-18th Century with salted and drained fish and rice. It was placed in barrels or boxes and water was gradually removed. The sushi would have been ready to eat, and preserved, after six months. The Kyoto area is where to look for narezushi.
Neta is the name of the topping sitting atop of the rice. The most common neta is a type of fish, but it could be any other topping.
Nigiri is vinegared rice with a topping (called neta). This sushi has to be two fingers wide and four fingers long.
Noren is the curtain that is hung at the entrance to the restaurant. This fabric was originally placed there so patrons could wipe their hands clean as they enter the restaurant or wipe off the fish and the sauce as they exit. Sushi is traditionally eaten by hand.
Onigiri is a ball or a triangle made with plain steamed rice, various stuffings like umeboshi (pickled Japanese apricot) and nori.
Oshibori is the hot towel served at sushi bars. This has its obvious utility, but is a special tradition because sushi was traditionally eaten by hand.
Umeshiso
Oshizushi is sushi rice and other ingredients pressed into a box or mould. It is cut in squares and often topped with konbu (a.k.a. kombu) or kelp. It is a specialty of the Osaka area of Japan. The better-known oshizushi is battera or saba oshizushi. Hako-zushi is boxed sushi.
Sashimi is cuts of raw fish that is typically served with sliced giant radish and wasabi. The sashimi assortment is best eaten with soy sauce as well.
Shari Japanese sushi rice This is lightly vinegared rice served as the bed of nigiri, and other, sushi.
Shiromi The family of white fish like Hirame, Tai and Suzuki. A sushi meal should begin with Shiromi.
Shoyu or Shouyu Soy Sauce It is derived from fermented soya beans that are mixed with dibble acids. One can also order low sodium, or low salt, ones. Many higher end Japanese restaurants brew their own.
Tachigui Sushi Standing Sushi It refers to Sushi restaurants without chairs or seats at the bar. Sushi is eaten standing up. The prices are typically less expensive than average.
Tataki Meaning ‘pounded,’ this type of meat is lighly seared and served after marination with vinegar and garnishes. The most common form is Tuna Tataki. This type of meat is called Tataki as a reference to the ginger served on top of the meat. The Tataki, now originating from Japan, was itself likely a result of Western influence.
California Hand Roll
Temaki is a hand roll. It is can be a whole tube or a shaped as a cone with rice and other items inside.
Toro Temaki
Temarizushi, or sushi ball, is a type of nigiri shaped after a round ball.
Tombo White Tuna Tombo is often confused with Escolar.
Uramaki is the infamous ‘inside-out roll.’ The seaweed is placed within the roll and surrounded by rice. This makes the roll more appealing to Western diners who might not like the look or taste of a traditional roll with nori or seaweed.
Waribashi chopsticks This is the name for Japanese chopsticks that are served at fine sushi restaurants. Chopsticks are, otherwise, known as hashi when disposable. Japanese chopsticks are shorter than their Chinese counterpart.
Wasabi Wasabi plant In true form wasabi is indigenous to Japan and very expensive. The commonly sold or served ‘wasabi’ is in fact a mixture of mustard, horseradish and colourings meant to simulate the real thing. When served true wasabi is the grated root of the plant. Wasabi adds sterilizing effect and taste to one’s sushi.
Ya is a Restaurant as in Fuguya, which is a restaurant that serves Fugu. A restaurant that serves Sushi is Sushi-ya.
Zohkin is the moist towel provided at a Sushi-ya. It helps clean the hands to start and remove sauce or fish residue during the meal.
For the Mercury contents of various fish please see the list by Japan’s Ministry Of Health, Labour And Welfare: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/wp/other/councils/mercury
Are any fish missing? What should I add? Use the comments’ section.
The attached below document is a downloadable version you can save or print for your personal use:
Downloadable sushi guide
