4. PICK A LOCATION

Now things seem really out of order. Obviously you need a place to eat sushi before you can eat sushi. But if you've mastered everything above, this should be the easy part.

  • Sushi Bar/Restaurant: The sushi bar is the Japanese equivalent of the English pub, and the best way to experience the food is along with the atmosphere that traditionally accompanies it. Sushi is currently very trendy (we know because we just saw Pauly Shore in a sushi bar, and isn't he the epitome of cool?), so it shouldn't be too hard to find a local establishment. To find a restaurant in your neighborhood, use this search guide.

    Given the choice, we recommend that you sit on a stool at a sushi bar. From that vantage point, you can watch the sushi chef (itamae-san) prepare a selection chosen from the refrigerated display in front of him. Furthermore, from the bar, a newbie sushi addict can ask the chef for advice and recommendations. Even for experienced eaters, common practice is to ask the chef for recommendations. This demonstrates respect for the chef, and he will thusly give you the best pieces. At the bar, it is best to place many small orders continuously rather than one large order at the beginning. This will ensure continued interaction with the chef. And it is never bad to throw in a few Japanese phrases:
    Konichiwa (koh NEECH ee wah)

    Dozo (DOH zoh)

    Domo (DOH moh)

    Domo arigato (ah ri GAH toh)
    "How are you?"

    "Please."

    "Thank you."

    "Thank you very much."
    The only thing you should ever order from the chef is sushi and sashimi. For everything else (your beverage, the check, etc.), ask the waiter. And try to leave around a 20% tip, as it gets divided among everyone.

    If you are eating at a table instead of a bar, you will generally order all your sushi at once. So we recommend that you order a combination plate rather than ordering individual sushi. That way, you'll get an interesting sample of all kinds of sushi.

  • Supermarket: These days, sushi can be found at supermarkets and convenience stores. A portion of maki sushi serves as a good meal for many on their lunch breaks. If you've tried sushi and you like it, then go for it. But if it's your first time, do not eat supermarket sushi - it's not as fresh as restaurant sushi, so you might not like it as much.

  • At home: This could be a good option if you get hooked but aren't willing to shell out the cash for a restaurant meal every evening. There are a few basic tools that you need to make sushi, mainly a bamboo mat (makisu) and an extremely sharp knife. Most importantly, you must obtain quality ingredients from Japanese grocers and trustworthy fish stores. Information on making your own sushi could fill an entire SYW, but for a start, check out that site.

  • Go to Japan: Eating sushi is already an expensive habit; throw in an 18-hour plane ride and you're really a sushi aficionado. In Japan, eating blowfish (fugu) sashimi is the ultimate dining experience - and a culinary variation of Russian roulette. The fish contains a toxin 1250 times deadlier than cyanide, and if ingested, it will probably kill you. But fugu consumption is a status symbol, so many people try it just to say that they have. Fugu is one of the most expensive foods in Japan; you can pay up to $400 for one meal, which must by law be prepared by specially trained and licensed chefs.

So now you're all set. Not only are can you begin enjoying a classic sushi meal, but you can make fun of the heathens that are still sushi-impaired. Please, wield your power with mercy.