Sushi trains are fun, fast, and full of tasty choices – especially at Sushi Jiro! But if it’s your first time dining at a sushi train, the spinning plates and unspoken rules can be a little bit confusing…
Should you grab the sushi right away? Can you take food off the belt and then change your mind? How much does each dish cost? And what do you do with all those empty plates? It can definitely feel overwhelming at first.
But there’s no need to worry. We’ve got you covered with easy sushi train tips and a guide to always showing good manners. Discover the right way to ride the sushi train with this blog.
All Aboard: Sit, Settle, and Scan
When you first sit down at the sushi train, don’t start grabbing plates right away. Look around your table first. You’re likely to have the basics like soy sauce, chopsticks, wasabi and ginger already waiting for you. However, you might also notice that you have a menu or a screen to order drinks and special items.
If the restaurant only has a sushi train without a menu, you can start picking plates whenever you’re ready. But there’s also nothing stopping you from ordering from the menu too – the choice is yours.
When you’re ready to eat, watch a few plates go by first to see what’s available. Taking a minute to scan makes sure you won’t miss out on your favourites. To understand the price, look at the plate colours.
Cracking the Colour Code
The different colours or designs of the plates usually indicate a different price. You can then find the corresponding price list either on the table or noted nearby, which explains how much each colour of design costs.
When taking your plates, good sushi train etiquette means only taking one plate at a time. Try to finish that bite before picking up another. This way, you don’t waste food and others get a chance to enjoy the sushi too.
If you want something fresh that isn’t on the belt, you can usually order it from the staff or a screen. Use your chopsticks or hands carefully and avoid touching the plates that you’re not taking. Following these simple rules helps keep the sushi train fun and fair for everyone.
Collect and Conquer: Plate Rules
As the famous saying goes… keep your sushi close, but your plates even closer! Once you’ve enjoyed your sushi, don’t put the plates back on the conveyor belt. That’s a famous sushi faux-pas.
Instead, keep your empty plates stacked neatly at your table or in the special plate holder if the restaurant has one. This helps the staff keep track of what you’ve eaten and makes counting your bill easier so there’s no extra surprises when it’s time to pay.
Plus, this process keeps the sushi train clean and running smoothly for everyone. So simply relax and enjoy your meal while piling up those plates.
Table Treasures: Sauces and Sides
As we mentioned earlier, most sushi train restaurants have soy, wasabi, and ginger already at the table for you. This means you can customise your sushi bites just the way you like them.
Want a little extra kick? Dab some wasabi. Prefer it salty? Lightly dip your sushi in the soy sauce. And don’t forget the ginger – it’s perfect for cleansing your palate between different flavours, and even gives you some extra time to scan the train’s options.
For the traditional way to dip sushi, make sure you turn the piece fish-side down and lightly dip just the fish into the soy sauce. Try to avoid dipping the rice as this can cause the sushi to fall apart. When dining with others, avoid double dipping to maintain polite manners.
You’re on Track for Delicious Sushi Dining
Now that you know the dos and don’ts while dining at a sushi train, why not come and enjoy fresh sushi with us at Sushi Jiro? With both dine in and take away options available, you can indulge in our silky, handcrafted sushi, packed with fresh, authentic flavours, whether you’re at one of our family friendly restaurants or in the comfort of your own home.
Put your sushi train etiquette to the test and reward yourself with our mouthwatering sushi bites today!