Sashimi VS Sushi

When it comes to ordering fresh, Japanese seafood, typically you will find yourself with two options: either sushi or sashimi. While these terms are often used interchangeably, and many people describe sashimi as a type of sushi, they are actually quite different. Both have Japanese origin and both are quite delicious, but these types of seafood hold some major differences and the more that you know about these differences, the more educated you can be when ordering your Japanese fish next time you are out.

The first difference is that sashimiis thinly sliced raw meat, typically fish that is served without rice. Typically, sashimi is some type of salmon or tuna. Other popular types of sashimi are mackerel, yellowtail, shrimp, scallops, clams and octopus. Translated, sashimi means “pierced fish.”

While many people assume that sushi is also raw fish, it is actually vinegar rice that is mixed with a number of other ingredients, which can include either cooked or raw fish. Wile raw fish may be a traditional staple in most types of sushi, it is not a prerequisite for this dish. Translated, sushi means “it is sour” which typically has to do with the vinegar rice.

When you see both sashimi and sushi being served in front of you, it can be easy to tell the difference between the two, mostly because of sushi being served with rice and sashimi being served without it. There are different types of sushi and while some such as Nigiri, look more similar to sashimi they are not the same.