Sapporo Steakhouse prides itself in serving our patrons the best menu items with the highest quality of standards in the food industry. We take pride in our sushi and sashimi choices because they are our loyal customers’ favorites.
Are you new to sashimi and sushi?
Do not worry about asking your waiter about it. Here is a quick guide to get you started.
What are the key differences between sashimi and sushi?
While these two terms are used at times interchangeably by non-connoisseurs, those who are avid fans of these two dishes will tell you that there is a world of difference between them.
The words “sashimi” and “sushi”
The meaning of “sashimi,” 刺身, entails two things: meat that has been caught by means of piercing it, essentially, as in when fish is caught with a hook. The culinary embodiment of the definition renders this dish as fresh, sliced fish served on its own. The word “sashimi” itself refers to any fish that is served raw. Therefore, be sure to specify which type of fish you are looking for when ordering our fresh sashimi.
On the other hand, the meaning of the
word “sushi”寿司 has nothing to do with fish. Sushi refers to the vinegared, sticky rice that is used to make the well-known rolls wrapped in seaweed. These rolls may or may not contain fish. Many vegan customers use meat alternatives for their sushi, and many sushi options are vegetable-based only.
Sashimi serving method:
Sashimi is never cooked. The fish is frozen right after it is caught. It is served thawed and at room temperature, if not slightly cooler.
What is it served with?
A plate of sashimi can be as satisfying and beautifully presented as our typical sushi dish. The preferred method of serving sashimi is accompanying it with a dollop of wasabi sauce, a small dish for soy sauce, and thin, pickled ginger slices to cleanse the palate.
Different types of sashimi, such as salmon, mackerel, and maguro (tuna), come in different colors, textures, and levels of tenderness. As such, the more you sample, the more you will enjoy it.
Common sashimi options:
Our menus include the English definition of each Japanese-named fish offered for sashimi. Here are our customers’ 6 most popular choices:
• sake -raw salmon • ebi – sweet shrimp • maguro – bluefin tuna • hotate – scallops
Other differences:
Sashimi is served in slices. Compare this to maki sushi, the most popular sushi option. Maki is your traditional “roll” that is wrapped in seaweed, or nori, and then sliced into rounds.
This sushi roll features an outer layer of seaweed, that wraps a thin layer of vinegared, sticky rice. In turn, that rice beds a fish (or vegetable) center, and then is rolled and sliced. Notice again that the inner core of a sushi roll does not need to include fish. It is optional.
Another popular sushi choice, nigiri sushi, is often confused with sashimi only because it features a slice of fresh fish (which can also be cooked or smoked) on top of a small bed of sticky, sushi ri
ce. The word “Nigiri” comes from the verb “nigiru,” which is “to grab” or “grip.” The “grasping,” is that of the rice itself, which is held and packed tightly in the hands of the cook to form the block that will hold the fish.
Final answer:
Sushi and sashimi are equally delicious, yet entirely different choices. Just keep in mind that “sushi” refers to rice and “sashimi” will always refer to fish, particularly, raw fish. Now that you know a little bit more, treat yourself to a few delicious items from our appetizer menu. Sample all there is to taste straight out of the talented hands of our amazing sushi and sashimi artists.