How to Eat Sushi the Proper Way (And Why It Matters)

Sushi is one of the most iconic dishes in the world, yet also one of the most misunderstood. In every great Japanese restaurant, sushi is not meant to be rushed, over-seasoned, or drowned in soy sauce. It is about balance, precision, and respect for the product.

Sushi masters around the world, including internationally renowned chefs such as Nobu Matsuhisa, all insist on the same fundamental principle: let the sushi speak for itself.

At Akai, this philosophy guides how we prepare and serve sushi every day. As a sushi restaurant and Asian restaurant located on a rooftop above Brussels, we apply these timeless rules in a modern, vibrant dining experience.

Sushi Is Designed to Be Eaten in One Bite

In traditional restaurant japonais culture, sushi is always eaten in one bite. This is not etiquette for etiquette’s sake. The chef has already calibrated the balance between rice, fish, seasoning, and temperature.

Cutting sushi in half disrupts that balance. Whether you are dining at a legendary sushi counter or at Akai, the intention remains the same: each piece is complete as it is.

Fingers or Chopsticks? Both Are Correct

Many guests are surprised to learn that eating sushi with your fingers is perfectly acceptable in Japanese culture. In fact, many sushi masters prefer it, especially for nigiri, as it preserves texture and temperature.

Chopsticks are ideal for sashimi or delicate rolls, but fingers are equally respectful in a refined sushi restaurant. What matters most is care and elegance, not the tool.

Soy Sauce: Use It Sparingly

One of the most common mistakes in sushi dining is overusing soy sauce.

The proper way is simple:

• Lightly dip the fish, not the rice
• Never soak the sushi
• Never leave rice floating in the sauce

In a great Japanese restaurant, soy sauce is an accent, not a main ingredient. At Akai, our sushi rice is already seasoned, so soy sauce should enhance, never dominate.

Wasabi: Trust the Chef’s Balance

In traditional sushi, wasabi is applied by the chef in the right quantity. Mixing wasabi into soy sauce is not part of Japanese tradition and masks the natural flavors of the fish.

Sushi masters emphasize trust. At Akai, each nigiri is balanced before it reaches the table. If you enjoy more heat, of course you can ask, but the first bite should always be as intended.

The Order Matters: From Light to Rich

In top restaurant sushi experiences, sushi follows a natural progression that allows the palate to evolve.

A classic order is:

1. White fish
2. Salmon
3. Tuna
4. Fatty tuna
5. Eel or flame-torched sushi
6. Rolls or signature creations

Our sushi menu at Akai is designed so guests can follow this flow intuitively, whether they are sushi enthusiasts or discovering Japanese cuisine for the first time.

Ginger Is a Cleanser, Not a Topping

Pickled ginger is meant to cleanse the palate between bites, not to sit on top of sushi. This allows each piece to be tasted clearly, one after the other, as intended in Japanese dining culture.

Sushi and Cocktails: A Modern Pairing

In contemporary Japanese restaurants, cocktails have become a natural part of the dining experience. At Akai, as a restaurant bar à cocktails, we design drinks that complement sushi rather than overpower it.

Freshness, acidity, and balance are key. This is why many guests consider Akai a place to enjoy some of the meilleur cocktails in Brussels alongside sushi and Asian-inspired dishes.

Sushi Tastes Different at Night, Above the City

In Tokyo, many of the most memorable sushi experiences happen above the streets, in elevated spaces where city lights create a unique atmosphere. This idea inspired the way we approach dining at Akai.

As a rooftop Japanese restaurant, the experience evolves as the night unfolds. The lights dim, the music rises, and dinner naturally becomes more social. Sushi, cocktails, and ambiance blend into what many now seek in a restaurant festif or even a restaurant DJ set, without losing culinary integrity.

More Than Sushi, A Japanese Dining Culture

Learning how to eat sushi properly is not about rigid rules. It is about appreciation. Sushi masters around the world have shaped this culture through restraint, precision, and respect for ingredients.

At Akai, we apply those same principles while embracing a contemporary vision of dining. As a Japanese restaurant, sushi restaurant, and Asian restaurant above Brussels, we offer an experience where sushi, cocktails, rooftop views, and atmosphere come together naturally.

Because a great Japanese restaurant doesn’t just serve sushi.

It teaches you how to enjoy it.