First Timer's Guide To Sushi Bar

Sushi bar dining is meant to be relaxing. Photo Credit : Christian Horan

Dining at a sushi bar may sound intimidating for first timers but with a good chef, it can be a more comfortable stress-free experience compared to a fast food joint. It is THE way to experience sushi in its best form. The diners are able to communicate their orders, preference or feedback instantly to the chef and in return the chef is able attend to the customer's need immediately. Most importantly, the chef can ensure his sushi is consumed in its most optimal condition by serving directly to the customer.

Sushi bar dining goes beyond tasting the food to the realm of performance arts. The experience of seeing the chef skillfully slicing the fish in a single flick of his knife to his finesse in pressing the rice into a ball that breaks like cloud in your mouth all adds to the sushi bar experience and ultimately, brings more enjoyment when consuming your sushi. If you look bored or need someone to have a conversation the chef is there for your to engage with and will do so happily.

Your Chef, Your Host

Once seated, expect the chef to attend to all your needs

If I were to summarize this article into one sentence, it'll be "Trust your chef, when in doubt, ask him". Don't be intimidated by the idea of having to the chef in front and constantly looking at you. He's not judging you, but looking out for you and ensuring that you feel comfortable like any good host do. There's no need to be shy to ask him for any assistance from how to eat the sushi to the direction of the nearest washroom.

There's a popular misconception that sushi chef are a stubborn bunch who doesn't entertain customer request because they believe the way they prepare is the best. While this may still hold true for a very small minority of old school chef in Japan (3 Michelin star chef Jiro Ono being famous for that), there's no reason to believe your chef will chase you out of his store while wielding his knife if you mix your wasabi and soy in his presence, especially out of Japan.

It's also a crime to slice up customers. Comic panel from 'Get Jiro!' Copyright@2013 by Vertigo

So make use of the chef's hospitality to your preference. If you think he's serving the sushi too fast, let him know and he'll slow down. If you're the type that couldn't stand wasabi the chef is more than willing to remove the wasabi from the sushi made for you. Some chef may have some reservation on some unusual customer's request (the most absurd one I saw was a customer wanted the chef to not use any raw fish for his Omakase set. The chef complied eventually after trying to convince the customer not to for 5 minutes) and usually it is best to rely on the chef's advice but ultimately the customer's preference takes priority.

Engage In Small Talk
During your course meal with the chef, he will occasionally make some communication with you. The least he will do is to describe what is currently being served to you. Towards the end he will ask about your dining experience with him. This opens a lot of opportunity to engage with a short conversation with the chef.

Interacting with the chef forms part of the sushi bar experience as well

Don't be pressured by the need to respond to the chef all the time though, although out of courtesy a simple nod or smile is the least you can do when he's asking 'How is it". If you're not in the mood for discussion, an observant chef will take notice of this and will minimize his communication with you.

Now when I say small talk I really mean short conversation. Chances are he still needs to make his sushi for you and the other patrons so try not to take too much of his time. In the case of multiple diners attempting to engage the chef, he's more likely to attend with the lone diner compared to a group of diners. The environment in even high end sushi bars is still on a casual side so loud chatter is acceptable to a certain level. Try not to be rude, shout excessively or do things that may make the other patrons uncomfortable.

Choose The Chef, Then The Food

Ultimately the chef wants you to leave his bar happy.

If you're solely interested in the food then by all means pick the bar that serves the best tasting sushi for your budget. If you're a first timer or bringing patrons to try their first sushi bar then it is worthwhile to explore further about the chef. When checking out reviews try to look out for comments on the chef's attitude or behavior. Terms like 'friendly' or 'explains a lot' is a good indicator of a hospitable chef. Find out the chef's name and when making your reservation indicate that you'd like to have that particular chef serving you.

If you thoroughly enjoyed your meal and experience, don't forget to show your appreciation for the chef by saying Oishi (delicious) if you're impressed by his sushi and gochisousama (literal : it was a feast) when your meal is over. As per Japanese culture tipping is usually rejected but if you insist on showing more appreciation to the chef, buying him a small cup of sake and cheering with a kampai(cheers) will suffice (once again, he still needs to serve other customers so expect him to only take a sip). The ultimate compliment to a chef is of course to return again next time, bringing more patrons to him.

Enjoy your first sushi bar dining and be prepared for the next!