15 Amazing Sushi You MUST Try in Japan!
Arigato Japan Food Tourism Experts
We have a special sushi list for all kinds of Foodie Travelers：
- Top 5 NOT to Miss Sushi When in Japan
- 5 Sushi for Adventurous Eaters
- Best 5 Sushi that Locals Love
Table of Contents
About This Guide
When traveling in Tokyo it is easy to go into a great sushi restaurant but so hard to decide what to order!
We created this handy guide of our "3 top 5 lists" for 15 amazing sushi and how to order them. You can even just show the sushi chef the entries on this list and he will know just what you want!
Arigato Japan - Food Tourism Local Experts-- Your best sushi experience starts here!
Best 3 Sushi Lists for Foodie Travelers!
What to Order and How to Have the BEST Sushi
List #1 Top 5 Not To Miss Sushi in Japan
1. Aburi (Roasted) Salmon Mayo
Lightly grilled salmon with delicious Japanese mayo and sometimes a rice vinegar based sauce. Not to be missed. ABURI SALMON MAYO = アブリーサーモンメイヨ
2. Flounder (Engawa)
This is an elegant light white fish not normally found in Sushi restaurants outside of Japan. Very delicate and delicious. ENGAWA = えんがわ
3. Tuna (Maguro -Akami, Chutoro and Ootoro)
The lean cut, red in appearance, is called akami, a moderately fatty cut is called chu-toro, and a very fatty cut, lighter in color and showing some marbling, is called o-toro.
AKAMI = あかみ CHUTORO = ちゅうとろ OOTORO = おおとろ
4. Yellowtail (Buri)
Buri has been favored as a sushi ingredient since the Edo period,
BURI = 鰤
5. Gizzard Shad (Kohada)
Amazing: full of umami from the omega 3 fats, acidic from the vinegar it is usually prepared with, but also deliciously sweet. KOHADA = こはだ
List #2- Sushi For Adventurous Eaters
1. Fermented Soybean (Natto)
Smelly and sticky, this is not for everyone, but if you are adventurous you will get a gold star for trying this healthy superfood! NATTO = なっとう
2. Raw horse meat (Sakura Niku)
Eating the horse is perfectly appreciated in Japan. Raw, sliced horse meat is called “Basashi” and it is famous in certain regions in Japan SAKURANIKU = 桜肉
3. Raw Deep Water Shrimp (Amaebi)
Amaebi live in deep water. They are served raw and taste best when sourced from the cold waters of Hokkaido. This sushi has a soft texture and sweet, lingering flavor. AMAEBI = 甘海老
4. Sea Urchin (Uni)
The spiny black shell of the sea urchin holds the creamy, briny and deliciously sweet organs that are prized by chefs in Japan and around the world UNI = ウニ
5.. Abalone (Awabi)
This shellfish feeds mostly on kelp, and therefore has a lovely, sweet flavor of the sea, and a nice crunchy texture. AWABI = 鮑 
List #3 Best 5 Sushi that Locals Love
1. Sea Bass (Suzuki)
Somewhat firm and chewy, Suzuki has a wonderful, sweet flavor and aroma. This fish is best in the summer season. SUZUKI = 鱸
2. Squid (Ika)
Good ika has a wonderful sweetness that increases as the piece is chewed. The aroma is like being out on the ocean waves. IKA = 烏
3. Conger Eel (Anago)
Anago has white meat that is high in fat content. It melts in the mouth and has a savory flavor. ANAGO = 穴子
4. Salmon Roe (Ikura)
Salmon roe is a vibrant, red. As you eat it the eggs burst open, with a salty, rich umami taste. IKURA = イクラ
5. Scallop (Hotate)
To serve scallop sushi, the ligaments are butterflied and formed over sushi rice. Hotate have a sweet flavor and a soft texture. HOTATE = 帆立
ITADAKIMASU
This is an expression we say before we eat in Japan. Say this before you take your first bite to pay your respects to the chef and the ingredients. You can use this guide to try new things and explore sushi that is difficult if not impossible to find outside of Japan.
GOCHISOSAMA DESHITA
This is what we say at the end of the meal to thank the chef. The literal translation is "Truly It was a Feast!"
We hope you enjoy this guide and have a chance to try many new types of Sushi during your travels in Japan! Join us on a food tour to learn more about the flavors of Japan!
Your Perfect Food Tour
Arigato Japan is the #1 food tour company in Japan. Make delicious memories while traveling in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or the Mt. Fuji area by booking one of our 3 hour walking food tours.