What is Sashimi?

Are you puzzled by the differences between sashimi, sushi, and nigiri? Whether you're navigating a Japanese menu or curious about making these dishes at home, it can be a bit confusing.

When making your choice, it's important to consider variations in both the ingredients and the way these dishes are prepared.

What Is Sashimi?

Sashimi is a dish of raw, thinly sliced fish, typically served fresh. It's a traditional Japanese specialty that is often paired with accompaniments like daikon radish, pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. Popular fish used in sashimi include salmon, tuna, halibut, and squid.

In many Japanese restaurants, fish are kept alive in tanks until they're chosen and prepared for serving. Sashimi-grade seafood is caught using an individual hand line, rather than nets, to ensure better quality. Once caught, the fish is quickly placed on ice to maintain its freshness for longer.

Slicing fish for sashimi is a precise craft that chefs spend years perfecting. Expert chefs are skilled in handling and cutting the fish to create perfectly sliced pieces that enhance the dining experience.

The full sashimi experience includes flavorful dipping sauces that add a spicy kick. The term 'sashimi' is derived from the Japanese words 'sa' (knife) and 'shi' (fillet), referring to the art of preparing the fish.

Sashimi vs. Sushi

A common misconception is that sashimi is a type of sushi. In fact, the key difference is that sashimi is served without rice, while sushi always includes rice.

Sashimi consists of thinly sliced raw fish, often paired with seasonings and a dipping sauce like soy sauce or pickled ginger. The key to a great sashimi is the freshness, quality, and precise cut of the fish used.

Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that includes specially prepared rice paired with raw or occasionally cooked fish or seafood. While it's often linked with raw fish, it's actually the seasoned rice that is the defining component of sushi.

Sashimi vs. Nigiri

Nigiri and sashimi are both staples of Japanese cuisine, but they differ slightly. Nigiri consists of hand-formed rice ovals topped with a slice of raw fish. It is considered a type of sushi, where the rice is shaped by hand and the fish or other ingredients are pressed on top.

How to Make Sashimi

Sashimi is a dish best enjoyed at your favorite local Japanese restaurant, but don't forget that it can also make a fantastic meal option to prepare at home.

Do you have a trusted fishmonger? A reliable local seller can guide you in choosing the right fish. When inspecting a whole fish, look for clear eyes, shiny skin with neatly aligned scales, a firm body, and a stiff tail. If purchasing fillets, ensure they are firm, neatly trimmed, and free from ragged edges.

The top fish for sashimi include tuna, sea bass, red mullet, halibut, salmon, and sea bream. Other delicious seafood options are scallops, lobster, squid, and octopus.

Once you bring the fish home, refrigerate it immediately and keep it chilled until you're ready to prepare it. It's essential to work in a cool kitchen, and it's a good idea to rinse your hands with cold water before handling the fish.

Popular Types of Sashimi

• Katsuo (Bonito / Skipjack Tuna) ...
• Sake (Salmon) ...
• Maguro (Bluefin Tuna) ...
• Ahi (Yellowfin & Bigeye Tuna) ...
• Hotate (Scallops) ...
• Ebi (Sweet Shrimp / Prawns) ...
• Hokkigai, Akagai, Tsubugai, Mirugai (Surf Clam, Red Clam, Whelk, Geoduck Clam) ...
• Ika (Squid)