What is Sashimi? How to Enjoy Sashimi Like a Japanese Pro, and Differentiating it from Sushi

Sashimi is a renowned Japanese delicacy. With its diverse ingredients and meticulous preparation techniques, Sashimi has garnered much love and attention. Let's explore this special dish and its preparation methods in detail on Mytour Blog.

What is Sashimi?

Sashimi is an appetizer made from raw fish and seafood in Japan. It is typically enjoyed as is or accompanied by light sauces (soy sauce) and mild seasonings.

Thinly and evenly sliced pieces of sashimi fish create an exquisite tasting experience, highlighting the delicious and fresh flavor of the fish. Despite being raw seafood, this dish is not at all fishy but rather remarkably sweet. Sashimi is often presented on a special plate or tray, accompanied by fresh vegetables, wasabi (a spicy condiment), and pickled ginger (gari) to cleanse the palate after each bite.

With meticulousness and skill in preparation, sashimi transcends beyond being just a meal, evolving into an exquisite culinary artwork crafted with care and love, evident through its unique and enticing presentation.

Popular Types of Fish and Seafood Used for Sashimi

Sashimi dishes are often made from various types of sea fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, swordfish, and halibut. Additionally, a variety of fresh seafood like red clams, scallops, shrimp, octopus, abalone, squid, hairy crabs, and many others, known for their natural crispness and delightful flavors, are also used to prepare sashimi, creating a diverse and nutritious dish.

Types of Sashimi

Below are the most popular types of sashimi today:

Sake Sashimi (Salmon)

Sake Sashimi is a dish sought after and beloved by many diners for its rich, fatty taste and natural sweetness of salmon. It becomes even more enticing when dipped in soy sauce or fragrant wasabi. Importantly, this type stands out for its high nutritional content - one of the reasons it reigns supreme in the world of sashimi.

Fugu Sashimi (Pufferfish)

Pufferfish, also known as fugu, is a delicacy appreciated by discerning diners for its unique and intriguing flavor profile. However, they also contain a lot of toxins, requiring professional processing to ensure that the dish is both delicious and safe for health. Therefore, this sashimi dish often comes with a higher price tag compared to other types of sashimi.

Tuna Sashimi (Yellowfin Tuna)

Depending on which part of the yellowfin tuna, its sashimi will have different names and characteristics. The dark red, lean meat is called Akami. Conversely, the reddish-pink, marbled meat deep inside, known as Chutoro, contains high levels of nutrients and fat, with a soft, sweet texture that many diners adore.

Ika Sashimi (Squid)

Squid, or Ika, is also a popular choice for sashimi in Japan. Each type of squid has its own flavor, but most of them share a characteristic sweetness and crunchiness. Additionally, they are rich in nutrients, high in DHA, which is beneficial for brain health.

Tako Sashimi (Octopus)

Octopus, or Tako, is also one of the beloved choices in the world of raw sashimi. Compared to squid, octopus has a sweeter and more tender taste, providing a variety of sashimi options with irresistible flavors.

Suzuki Sashimi (Striped Bass)

Summer is the season for striped bass, also known as Suzuki sashimi. What makes diners fall in love with this dish is the white, shiny, and alluring flesh of the fish. Suzuki sashimi typically has a soft, sweet, and refreshing taste. When served on ice, the slices become even fresher and more flavorful.

Hokkigai Sashimi (Surf Clam)

Surf clam, or Hokkigai, is not only used for grilling or steaming dishes but also crafted into excellent sashimi. Hokkigai sashimi boasts a distinctive crunchiness and delicious sweetness, especially delightful when paired with wasabi and soy sauce.

Basashi Sashimi (Horse Meat)

Basashi sashimi stands out with its vibrant red color and delicacy in each thinly sliced piece of meat. The distinctive sweet taste combined with the unique flavor of horse meat, often enhanced with sliced ginger, sake, and soy sauce, creates an unforgettable flavor for diners.

Ikura Sashimi (Salmon Roe)

Ikura Sashimi is a culinary masterpiece as you'll be mesmerized by the marvels of nature upon first sight of this dish. The vibrant red salmon roe, naturally clustered into a stunning bunch, reminiscent of the elegance of precious gems. Its distinctive sweet flavor and subtle richness, accompanied by the satisfying pop in the mouth, are the highlights of salmon roe sashimi.

Amaebi Sashimi (Sweet Shrimp)

Sweet shrimp, or Amaebi, is renowned for its firm flesh and natural sweetness. When enjoyed, the sweet, juicy shrimp meat combines with the spiciness of wasabi and the saltiness of soy sauce. Thanks to this unique flavor, it becomes a favorite dish for diners of all ages.

Kanpachi Sashimi (Amberjack)

Kanpachi Sashimi captivates food enthusiasts with its vibrant pink outer rim and delicate pale pink interior. The amberjack fish boasts a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle richness, making it a premium ingredient at Japanese restaurants.

Hotate Sashimi (Scallop)

In Japan, scallops, or Hotate, aren't just seared with butter or grilled with cheese; they also become an enticing sashimi dish with an unforgettable delicious aroma. What's special about Hotate sashimi is the crunchy texture and natural sweetness of the meat, devoid of any fishy smell, but rather leaving a memorable, rich flavor on the palate.

How to make and prepare delicious, authentic sashimi

After receiving fresh, delicious fish meat, chefs will use their delicate techniques to create thin slices of fish, each measuring 4cm in length, 2cm in width, and only 0.5cm in thickness.

Next, they'll garnish the surface of the sashimi dish with a touch of shiso leaves, fresh ginger, and thinly sliced daikon radish. The dipping sauce will consist of soy sauce and wasabi to enhance the rich flavor of the dish.

The harmony between fresh raw ingredients and spicy condiments creates a stimulating experience for all senses while being highly nutritious. This is why sashimi has become popular and beloved worldwide.

How to Eat Sashimi Properly the Japanese Way

Learn the authentic Japanese way of enjoying sashimi with the two key points below:

The Correct Order of Eating Sashimi You Should Know

In Japan, the process of savoring various types of sashimi is carried out meticulously to appreciate the diverse flavors of each fish. The fish are eaten in order from light to dark meat. The eating procedure usually goes as follows:

• Using chopsticks, pick up a piece of fish from the sashimi plate.
• Place a small dab of wasabi in the center of the fish and fold it gently.
• Dip the piece of fish into soy sauce and enjoy.

After finishing the sashimi dish, the Japanese often use a few slices of pickled ginger to cleanse their palate before moving on to the next dish.

Mistakes to Avoid When Eating Sashimi

• Biting sashimi too small: A common mistake made by sashimi eaters is biting the sashimi into small pieces. This prevents them from fully enjoying the flavor of the fish.
• Mixing wasabi with soy sauce: Some diners mix wasabi with soy sauce for sashimi. This preparation method removes the special flavor of fresh seafood.
•  Dunking sashimi in soy sauce:  This eating method prevents diners from experiencing the natural sweet and savory flavors of the food.

Distinguishing Between Sushi and Sashimi

Sushi and sashimi are two popular Japanese dishes, but they differ in both ingredients and preparation:

Sushi

Main ingredients:  White rice combined with other ingredients (fish, shrimp, shellfish, egg, or various raw vegetables, fried egg).

Preparation method: White rice is compressed into small pieces, then topped with sashimi ingredients or various types of fresh seafood. Some types of sushi are also wrapped in a layer of seaweed.

Sashimi

Main ingredients: Sashimi is a dish focused on fresh seafood such as fish, shellfish, or even other animal meats, thinly sliced and often enjoyed without heat processing.

Preparation method: Sashimi is prepared by slicing seafood (usually fish, shrimp, scallops, shellfish, or other seafood) into thin slices and then arranged on a plate or a bed of ice. Sashimi is typically accompanied by condiments such as wasabi (Japanese horseradish), fresh ginger, and soy sauce. Sashimi is often enjoyed with soy sauce or fresh lemon juice.

Recommended sashimi spots, delicious sashimi buffet in Ho Chi Minh City

Delicious Sashimi Spot in HCMC - iSushi

• Address: 3 Le Quy Don, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price range: 49,000 – 399,000 VND
• Phone number: 02873007382

Ikigai Sushi

• Address: 236 Nguyen Trong Tuyen, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price range: 5,000 – 538,000 VND
• Phone number: 0828828149

Kohaku Sushi

• Address: 70-72 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 09:30 AM – 10:30 PM
• Price range: 35,000 – 1,329,000 VND
• Phone number: 02838238166

Chiyoda Sushi

• Address: 178 Pasteur, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Price range: 31,000 – 2,300,000 VND
• Phone number: 02838225822

Sushi Hokkaido Sachi

• Address: 180 Pasteur, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM
• Price range: 17,000 – 1,460,000 VND
• Phone number: 02838232275

Sushi KEI

• Address: 122 Cao Thang, Ward 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Price range: 19,000 – 639,000 VND
• Phone number: 02873054568

Wainosuke

• Address: 29 Hai Trieu, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM; 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price range: 40,000 – 250,000 VND
• Phone number: 0785102478

My Sushi House

Address: 19 Mai Van Vinh, Tan Quy, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Price range: 15,000 – 456,500 VND

Phone number: 0905471991

Grand Sushi KO

Address: SH 06, Park 5 Vinhomes Central Park, 208 Nguyen Huu Canh, Ward 22, Binh Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Price range: 18,000 – 1,656,000 VND

Phone number: 0905300900

Yen Sushi Sake