Some of you may not have tried sushi before. The following is a guide on trying sushi for the first time. It assumes that you have never had sushi before, but are willing to try something new. The purpose of this article is to give you a general idea of what to expect on your first visit to Sushi Hunter.

From now until the time you arrive at Sushi Hunter

Perhaps you have been invited to a Japanese restaurant for the first time, or maybe you just want a new experience. Either way, the first step to trying sushi for the first time is finding someone to go with you who knows a bit about sushi. Above all, consider coming to Sushi Hunter. Some of the cheap sushi served at other places can have an overly fishy taste and bad texture. Make sure to ask questions, as our waitstaff at Sushi Hunter will bend over backwards to make sure your dining experience is an event to remember.

What to order

First-time sushi eaters generally start with rolls, or maki, which is rice with fillings such as fish and vegetables wrapped in seaweed. Consider starting with cucumber rolls, known as kappa maki, which contain no fish. Then you might try tuna maki next - the taste of the seaweed and slightly sweet taste of the sushi rice complement the tuna. Move on to a roll with more complex flavors, such as a California roll (imitation crab, avocado and cucumber) which is very popular in the United States or a rainbow roll, with salmon and avocado wrapped around the outside.

Once you have tried maki, broaden your sushi experience by ordering some nigiri. Nigiri is nothing more than fish placed on top of sushi rice. Eating nigiri allows you to truly enjoy the taste of the fish. Since this is your first time, you'll want to start out eating fish you are familiar with. Maguro is the Japanese name for a particular cut of large tuna, and is the most popular fish to eat as nigiri. It has a very pleasant taste, and some sushi-eaters believe it's the best choice for your first time. Others believe that salmon, such as Norwegian salmon, provides the best introduction to eating uncooked fish. Ebi (shrimp) and Hamachi (yellowfin tuna) are also good choices (note that the shrimp will actually be cooked, though cold). If you are feeling even more adventurous, try Ika (squid) which has a creamy texture and sweet taste.

While at Sushi Hunter, you should feel comfortable ordering small amounts of sushi, and ordering multiple dishes - one after another. A common mistake of first-timers is to order a "sampler". These may contain varieties that you won't want to try just yet.

What the waiter brings you

You may wish to start with miso soup. If you've never tried it, it's likely that it won't taste like anything you've had before. Miso soup has a pleasant, salty and slightly fishy taste. Some restaurants bring you a spoon; we don't. Just stir it with your chopsticks, then drink directly from the bowl. Careful, it will be very hot. Miso soup is made of miso paste (fermented soya beans) dissolved in a stock made with kelp and dried bonito fish. We also add small cubes of tofu and a bit of spring onion. Some people like to add soy sauce to their miso soup. We recommend that you taste it first. We feel that it is salty enough as we make it. Soy sauce can easily overpower the flavors.

When your sushi comes, it will be on a wooden board or a plate. If you are sharing with friends, it may all come in a single dish. Everyone gets a small ceramic dish for soy sauce. Also on the table are thin slices of ginger, called gari. They are there to eat between pieces of sushi as a palate cleanser. Some people really enjoy gari, some don't really care. Finally, everyone gets some wasabi.

Wasabi is a green paste made from a Japanese plant that has a flavor reminiscent of horseradish. It is very strong, and a key ingredient in sushi. If you're okay with hot things, you should try some wasabi to start out. To test it, put a very small piece no larger than a teardrop onto the tip of your chopstick. Place the wasabi onto your tongue, and smear it around the roof of your mouth. You may want to keep a glass of water and napkin nearby to wipe your eyes. Alternatively, just enjoy the explosive feeling and sit it out, because it disappears as suddenly as it arrives.

You should know that even if you don't try it plain, your sushi will contain some wasabi. However, it is unlikely to make your sushi hot, since it is only in very small amounts. Most people add wasabi to the soy sauce in their soy dish.

A Final Word.

Once you've got your soy sauce, you're finally ready to go. It's entirely up to you to decide whether you want to use chopsticks or your fingers to eat nigiri sushi. Using your fingers will help you to avoid the problem of the fish slipping off the rice. Take the nigiri, turn it upside down, and dip just the fish lightly into the soy sauce, then place the entire thing into your mouth. You may not wish to dip the rice into the soy sauce, since it will most likely absorb too much of it and fall apart all over your plate.

Remember, moderation and taking your time are key to enjoying sushi.

It's customary to occasionally eat a piece of pickled ginger between pieces of sushi, to "cleanse the palate." Some people prefer adding ginger to a maki roll or a piece of nigiri. Although this is not technically the correct use of the ginger, the sushi-police tend to turn a blind eye to this practice.

The most important piece of advice we can offer is "Sit Back and ENJOY!!" At Sushi Hunter we make every effort to make your dining experience an unforgettable adventure.