Why Sakana Sushi Is a Must-Try Dish on Your Japan Trip? Updated

When you think about Japan, cherry blossoms, ancient temples, and neon-lit cityscapes often comes to your mind. But for many travelers especially food lovers, Sakana Sushi is just as a part of Japanese adventure, and rightfully so.

Among famous Japanese dishes, Japan has gifted the world with delicious and mouthwatering dish, named as Sushi.

It is hard to miss on eating this dish when you travel to the Japan. This blog post is all about Sushi why you need to try it on your next Japanese travel itinerary.

What is Sakana Sushi?

Sakana Sushi AZ is basically a Japanese word in which Sakana (魚) simply means “fish” and Sushi refer to favorite dishes that feature fish as a primary ingredient. Normally the whole sushi involves some form of seafood or vegetables paired with vinegared rice.

This type of sushi is like raw or lightly prepared fish served atop rice or wrapped in seaweed, combines unique taste of fish and rice.

There is no other simple definition of this type of sushi. It may include nigiri (a slice of fish over rice), sashimi-style bites, or even maki rolls where fish is the star.

One thing that sets them apart is the variety and quality of served fish, depending on regional specialties and seasonal availability.

Cultural Significance of Sakana in Japan

This is more than a dish in Japanese cuisine but also a symbol of delicious Japanese food, cultural harmony and nature. Sushi was not only a Japanese food item from the past, but now it is liked by food lovers like Sushi lovers and Sushi enthusiasts including both locals and tourists.

Japanese style dishes or Japanese meals are incomplete without amazing taste of Sushi. On both special day occasions and almost every day, sushi is being liked by locals and tourists. There are variety of sushi dishes and sushi rolls to fill appetite of almost all tastes.

This represents the Japanese philosophy “shun”, eating ingredients at the peak of their season. This is the main reason why sushi chefs serve specific types of fish at certain times of the year.

At Sakana Sushi bars, you can eat Japanese experience sushi with favorite sushi rolls.

How Is Sakana Sushi Made?

You’d think it’s simple: slice the fish, plop it on rice. Done.
But if you’ve ever tried making it at home… well, you know it’s not quite that easy.

Steps Behind the Scenes:

1. Choosing the Fish: The most important part. Top sushi chefs (itamae) will sometimes spend hours at fish markets like Tsukiji, examining, sniffing, poking the fish before choosing one.
2. Prepping the Rice: Sushi rice isn’t just sticky rice. It’s seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and salt. The balance has to be just right — too vinegary and it overpowers the fish, too bland and it’s just boring.
3. Slicing: There’s real technique here. Different fish require different cuts to maximize flavor and texture. For instance, toro (fatty tuna) is often cut against the grain to make it melt in your mouth.
4. Assembly: It’s not just slapping fish on rice. A small dab of wasabi might be hidden between the two. The chef’s hands apply the perfect pressure — firm enough that it holds together but light enough that it’s still airy.

A Quick Pro Tip:

Want to tell if a sushi chef is great?
Order tamago (sweet egg omelet sushi).
If they nail the humble tamago, chances are their Sakana Sushi is going to be spectacular.

Where to Try the Best Sushi Sakana in Japan?

1. Tokyo-Tsukiji Outer Market & Ginza

Tokyo is favorite among sushi lovers because of having authentic taste and cozy charm of delicious smells.

Tsukiji Outer Market is the famous market in Tokyo where fresh fish is served within hours of caught. Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi are famous here for their early-morning queues but they are worth the wait.

If you want to get more refined experience, you can go to Ginza. This is Tokyo’s luxury district where you will enjoy top of the class Sushi with extra dishes including chicken dishes.

2. Osaka-Kuromon Ichiba Market

Osaka is known as food capital of Japan. Almost all streets of this food capital are filled with delicious foods including sushi. At Kuromon Ichiba Market, you can try freshly sliced spicy tuna, Toro- Fatty Tuna Sushi, amberjack, and sea bream from local stalls or sit down at a casual counter-serve sushi bar.

3. Kyoto-Traditional Kaiseki Restaurants

In Kyoto, you will find Sushi served as a part of multi-course kaiseki meals where you will feel joy at every bite.

Here, Sakana sushi menu comes with freshwater fish like ayu or unique local preparations such as sabazushi (cured mackerel sushi).

4. Hokkaido-Seafood Paradise

Hokkaido is famous for it’s cold and blue waters which produce the best seafood in Japan. You can enjoy buttery scallops, sweet shrimp, and melt-in-your-mouth uni (sea urchin) as part of Sushi.

Sapporo’s Nijo Market or Otaru’s sushi street are two of the famous markets in Hokkaido to get sushi.

5. Fukuoka

Fukuoka is located in Southern Japan and welcome sushi lovers with pure taste and warmth. Basically, the Sushi made here from fish found in the Genkai Sea.

Do not forget to try their local specialties like goma saba (mackerel with sesame sauce) or sushi with squid and flying fish.

Other than Japan, try same taste sushi from:

• Sakana Sushi Las Vegas
• Sakana Sushi – Meridian
• Sakana sushi La Cañada
• Sakana Sushi Montecito
• Sakana Sushi Downey

Common Fish You’ll See in Sakana Sushi

Not every fish is created equal though. Some are seasonal, some regional. I once had winter yellowtail (buri) in Hokkaido, and honestly, nothing else has quite lived up to it since.

What Makes Sakana a Standout Dish for Travelers?

1. Fresh Ingredients

Japan is the place where culinary excellence meets in the form of Sushi and other extra dishes. The fresh ingredients can make all the difference and they are used in Sakana with proper care.

Unlike sushi from famous Sakana Sushi bars, you will feel the same taste from local bars too.

2. Regional Variety

Each Japanese region offer unique taste of Sushi to both locals and tourists. This is because the preparation styles, sauces and even water mineral content varies by region to region.

It shows that you could travel the whole country and never experience same taste twice.

3. The Art of Simplicity

Sushi is like the original and unique taste of natural sweetness of scallops without adding overpowering sauces or elaborate garnishes. In this sushi, these sauces are used to make something unique and different.

• Eel sauce
• Creamy sesame sauce
• Sour soy sauce
• Tartar sauce
• Trio sauce

4. Cultural Immersion

Trying sushi at famous Japanese bars or restaurants allow you to enjoy local food culture and Japanese traditions while interacting with chefs. With this, food becomes a memorable getaway to know about Japanese culture and traditions.

Tips for Enjoying Like a Local

• Sushi is traditionally eaten in only one bite so you can eat it with your hands or chopsticks. Both are acceptable.
• Do not overload sushi with unnecessary sauces. Just a light dip is enough without making it worsen to eat.
• Respect the chef’s order. If dining omakase-style (chef’s choice), try each item in the order presented.
• Pickled ginger is a palate cleanser, not topping so use them between bites.
• Ask questions. Most chefs appreciate curious travelers who want to learn.
• If you are unsure what to order, try asking for “osusume wa nan desu ka?” It means “What do you recommend?”.

Vegetarian or Vegan: You Still Have Options

Not a fish lover or do not want to follow a vegetarian diet? Japan still offers incredible sushi experiences for you.

Many places now serve:

• Kappa maki (cucumber rolls)
• Shiitake nigiri (mushroom-topped sushi)
• Avocado rolls
• Inarizushi (sweet tofu pouches filled with rice)

Sushi Glossary or Fish Types Table

A small table or list of popular fish used in Sakana:

You must know these Japanese terms that are used in different types of sushi. With a little bit know-how, you get an idea what to add and what not to for giving sushi a tasty flavor.

Best Places to Try Sakana Sushi in the USA

Other than Japan, Sushi Sakana is also available in other parts of the world like USA, Canada and other European parts, You can try from there too.

Is Sakana Sushi Healthy?

Short answer: mostly, yes.
Long answer: it depends on what you order and how much soy sauce you pour over everything.

Benefits include:

• High-quality protein
• Omega-3 fatty acids (good for your heart)
• Vitamins D and B12

Risks include:

• Possible mercury in large fish like tuna
• Parasites if the fish isn’t truly sushi-grade

So moderation, as always, is key. Maybe don’t eat giant tuna rolls every day, but as part of a balanced diet? Totally.

Ending Thoughts!

Now we have to end this blog post by sharing final thoughts on Sakana Sushi. This is considered as one of the most popular items with exquisite flavors, faster service of nearby restaurants and cultural immersion.

Next time when travel to Kyoto Japan, do not forget to try delicious sushi and enjoy the vibe of eating as a local in Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions