I love sushi. As with everything in Japan there is a tradition/history of sitting at the sushi bar. If you want to try this out- Sit at the bar. In a traditional bar a waitress will ask your order-order anything from her except for sushi and sashimi-order that from your sushi chef behind the counter. Order some sake from the waitress. I love a sake drunk-it's a warm, happy, thinking drunk (sex is great with sake). Sake takes a little getting used to-but it's good. It will come warmed in a small carafe-it is best not to pour it for yourself-pour it for the other person and the other should pour for you. You should watch the other person's cup and fill it when needed. If your's is empty and no one else notices pour a little for the other person-they should then notice your cup and fill it. Offer some sake to the sushi chef-he will normally not take it-if he does consider it a compliment. Offer him sake from time to time during the meal. It is fine to order what you want from the sushi chef-maybe order a plate of various pieces to share between you and your guest-order a piece or 2 of specialties if you want- but it is BEST to ask what the chef recommends. He will choose what is best that day and will make you what he makes best. It is a compliment to the chef to do this. Once you have eaten his specialty items let him know what you think and offer him sake as thanks (again he will probably not take it). You also don't need to order everything at once from him. Order something-eat it-try something else. Just like you would at a liquor bar-you don't order everything at once when you sit down. You can converse with the chef-but don't take him away from his work. You will get a little saucer to pour some soy sauce into-don't mix this with wasabe-keep that separate. Don't put the rice into the soy sauce-put the fish side into the soy sauce. If the piece are small enough-it is fine to eat sushi/sashimi with your hands. Tipping is normal-you don't need to tip the chef separately. I don't know the norm on this but when leaving I like to thank the chef with a slight bow.
Sake is good warm or cold (room temperature). This is my favorite- Kiku Masamune Sake It's a real relaxing happy drunk.
That seems kind of silly, if it is I sure as hell never heard of it. Like with any other food, I personally eat it because it makes my taste buds happy, and is pretty healthy. I've been eating it since I was 5 (though I'll admit, the first bite my mom gave me, I wasn't sure I liked it, but by the second, I was in love). For those that are somewhat squeamish about raw fish, that is not all sushi, there are many other kinds (cooked fish, teriyaki chicken, veggie, etc). The word sushi pretty much means vinegar and rice. Su=vinegar, shi=rice. So don't fear, ye choices are not limited!
