6 Tips for Sushi Beginners

Sushi isn’t just a food — it’s a trend.

Though originating from China, these delicious, bite-sized morsels of fresh ingredients and flavors have now become the most popular Japanese dish in the world and a daily favorite here at Shogun.

In America, data shows that sushi has doubled in popularity in the past five years, and tripled in popularity within the past decade, with nearly two-thirds of all Americans having tried the tasty rolls.

That also means nearly one-third of the population has yet to embark on the culinary venture of eating sushi.

Whether you are part of those who’ve never tried this Japanese staple or you’re only just making an entrance onto the sushi scene, we’ve got you covered.

Here are five tips for sushi beginners to help you learn to savor the flavors of this delectable dish.

A zoomed in photo of a sushi roll on a white plate. Sushi roll consists of rice and seeds on the outside, krab, avocado, and cucumber. Go from sushi beginner to sushi expert after a delightful dining experience at Shogun Sakura Sushi on International Drive.

Try sushi rolls made with cooked meat

If you’re apprehensive at first about eating raw fish, start by trying rolls that are made with meat that’s either been smoked, grilled, or battered and fried.

Some popular rolls with cooked meat include:

Our limited-edition roll, the Sakura Jubilee Roll, is stuffed with grilled salmon, cucumber, and cream cheese in nori seaweed. The roll is covered with sesame seeds then topped with kanikama, scallions, spicy mayo, eel sauce, and yummy sauce.

The Ebi Ten Roll featuring shrimp tempura, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and eel sauce. The Philly Roll with smoked salmon, cucumber, cream cheese, sesame seeds, and wasabi mayo. The Salmon Yaki Roll composed of grilled salmon, cucumber, sesame seeds, and eel sauce.

The Unagi Eel Roll boasting grilled eel, cucumber, sesame seeds, and eel sauce.

The California Roll, though often thought to contain meat, is made from Kanikama, a cooked seafood product, alongside avocado, cucumber, sesame seeds, and spicy mayo.

As a sushi beginner, you can delight in all these delicious options straight off our menu.

Eat rolls that contain familiar ingredients

When looking at your menu, select options that have ingredients you know you like eating.

Textures and preparation may be different, but the familiarity lies in the ingredients you’ve had before. For example, if know you like shrimp, chances are you’ll love it even more wrapped up in a sushi roll with delicious vegetables, rice, and other popular ingredients.

Start with vegetarian sushi

If seafood is just too fishy for you at first, begin your sushi venture with the delicious options that are completely meatless.

Kappamaki (cucumber sushi rolls), avocado rolls, sweet potato rolls, and sushi rolls made with mushrooms are popular choices for veggie-based options.

A plate of sushi with ginger, wasabi, and a drizzle of spicy mayo on a white plate. The sushi contains rice and seeds on the outside and tuna on the inside, and there's a small dish of soy sauce on the side with chopsticks. Let the servers know you’re a sushi beginner and they can give you the best recommendations for what rolls to start with.

Expand your sushi knowledge

Even when you’re not familiar with the taste of a restaurant’s cuisine, it’s still possible to feel have fun with your dining choices. The quickest way to enjoy your experience – and impress your sushi date – is by learning as much as you can before you dine, from different types of rolls to common terms and more.

We’ve compiled a few short articles that will help you build your sushi knowledge so you can feel empowered when you order:

Sushi Glossary: Your Guide to a Sushi Menu

Sushi vs. Sashimi vs. Nigiri

5 Different Types of Sushi Rolls

The Difference Between Soft Shell Crab, Hard Shell Crab, and Krab

Get saucy!

One of the best parts about eating sushi is the endless variety of flavor combinations you can make by experimenting with different sauces. Chances are that you’ve tried some of these popular sauces with non-sushi dishes, too, like soy sauce, spicy mayo, or Siracha.

If you’re starting with a basic roll, don’t be afraid to dip it into different sauces and see which one pleases your palate the most.

Ask questions or let the itamae (chef) guide you

The servers and sushi chefs love answering your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information or clarification on the dishes you’re eyeballing. They’re there to help and to provide you a wonderful dining experience.

Feel free to ask questions about ingredients, textures, or even for their personal opinions on what their favorite sushi rolls are. Don’t be afraid to let them know you’re new to the sushi world, too, as they may be able to recommend the best rolls for sushi beginners.

A close up image of chopsticks squeezing and dipping a piece of sushi into a small white dish filled with soy sauce. A great tip for sushi beginners is to dip into different sauces to see which combinations you like best.

We Love Hosting Sushi Beginners at Sakura Sushi

Trying anything new can feel daunting, much less venturing into a different cuisine. Sushi may have its foreign flare and intricate ingredients, but you can absolutely dine in delight and make confident, comfortable choices even as a sushi beginner.

Another good thing to keep in mind is that not all sushi is the same. At Sakura Sushi on International Drive, our itamaes take pride in preparing the freshest dishes sure to turn you from sushi beginner to sushi expert in no time.

We’re ready to welcome you with open arms and treat you to an unforgettable sushi dinner that’ll leave you excited about coming back for more.