Day 6: Sashimi
Sashimi is one of the most unique foods in Japan – a dish that is iconic and associated with Japanese cuisine the world over. There aren’t many places that think eating raw fish is a good idea… but it is!
Although Westerners sometimes confuse the term with other types of Japanese food like sushi, sashimi is simply the slices of raw seafood that are served on their own (although often accompanied with rice and miso soup).
There are many types although some of the most popular include salmon, tuna, squid and octopus.
It’s considered to be one of the finest dishes in Japanese cuisine and is usually eaten at the start of a meal before flavours from other food ruin the palate. For a sashimi expert, the subtle differences in the flavours of the various seafood used is supposed to be enjoyed and savoured.
Like a lot in Japanese culture, it’s all about the nuance.
For people who aren’t accustomed to Japanese food, it can seem a bit strange at first – I mean, you’re supposed to cook meat, right? But there’s something quite special about the chewy slimy texture and the freshness of good sashimi.
It’s not particularly filling and, although it can be eaten as a main dish, it’s usually a starter or part of a share set.
It’s normally eaten with a small bowl of soy sauce that many people mix wasabi paste into. Some purists think the wasabi ruins the taste of the sashimi but traditionally it was used to get rid of bacteria that might be on the meat. Personally, I like to load up the soy with enough wasabi to feel the heat come out my nose!
Because of the quality of the dish, it’s not one of the cheapest things you can eat in Japan. This plate of sashimi had five varieties of seafood and 15 pieces in total. It cost 1500 yen (US$15.40) at a nice restaurant in the Nakano district of Tokyo and was some of the best I have ever eaten.
zoomingjapan |
I love sashimi!
I guess a lot of people don’t want to try raw fish, but it’s so delicious, they miss something! My favorite sashimi is toro (tuna) and salmon! 😀
Michael Turtle |
The only problem is that it doesn’t fill me up. I could eat plates and plates of the stuff… but that might get a little expensive.
zoomingjapan |
That’s what I once thought, too, but I managed to eat so much that I was full indeed. But yes, it does get very expensive then! 🙁
Rease |
I love sashimi, though I admit I always need a lot more than sashimi to fill me up!
Michael Turtle |
I’m with you completely! But it’s great to have as part of a bigger meal.
travel |
Sashimi is one of Japan’s greatest creations in the field of cuisine and food. Even you eat it raw, it still has a pleasurable orgasmic effect on your taste buds. They too, are the only ones that could make a good Sashimi
Michael Turtle |
I used to eat it quite a lot in Australia where it had become very popular and trendy… but there’s something quite special about eating it in Japan!