Why do we eat sushi with our hands?

Sushi being eaten with hands dates back to the Edo period. At that time, sushi was sold as a street food, and particularly "nigiri sushi" became popular. Nigiri sushi was made by craftsmen, who hand-pressed each piece, giving it a homemade and warm feeling. Initially, sushi was introduced as a quick and light meal, so the method of eating it was intuitive and convenient, with the "hand-eating" style being chosen.

Eating sushi with your hands has benefits that go beyond just a method of eating. By using your hands, you can more strongly experience the true flavors of the sushi, and by directly touching the ingredients, you can also enjoy a tactile pleasure in addition to visual and taste sensations.

Feeling the warmth of the sushi

The greatest advantage of eating sushi with your hands is the ability to directly feel the warmth of the toppings and rice. When sushi is freshly made by the chef, you can truly sense the temperature of the rice and toppings by eating with your hands. The warmth of the rice perfectly harmonizes with the toppings, bringing out the true deliciousness of the sushi.

Savoring the harmony between the rice and toppings

By eating with your hands, you can more easily experience the harmony between the rice and toppings. When using chopsticks, the toppings may slip off the rice, but with your hands, the rice and toppings stay perfectly together, allowing the flavors to immediately spread in your mouth. This enhances the true taste of the sushi even more.

Ease of eating

Due to its shape, sushi is the easiest and most natural to eat with your hands. Particularly, eating sushi with your hands allows you to enjoy a quick meal, making it convenient even during busy times. When dining out, eating sushi with your hands also creates a more casual and relaxed atmosphere, enhancing the enjoyment of your meal.

Eating sushi with your hands has the advantage of directly experiencing the true flavors and warmth of the ingredients. Next time you enjoy sushi, be sure to savor this experience. Eating with your hands will undoubtedly make the sushi taste even better and enhance the enjoyment of your meal.