Japan is the home of the global sensation known as sushi, but just how often do Japanese people actually eat this delightful creation?
Sushi is a beloved dish and an icon of Japanese cuisine that is enjoyed all over the world. Featuring a mushed rice ball combined with a piece of raw fish such as salmon or tuna, it is served in many different styles. From the delicious nigiri where the fish rests on top of the rice ball, to the norimaki seaweed wrapped rolls.
There’s no doubt, Japan is where you’ll find the most sushi restaurants and sushi products at supermarkets and convenience stores than anywhere in the world. The best part is that you can find them at any price point, from dirt-cheap combini bentos to high-end gourmet prepared by the most elite chefs in Japan.
The Diverse World of Sushi
Sushi in Japan is one of the most diverse types of food that can suit just about any occasion.
Whether it’s a quick lunch on your own, a workplace party in the break room, or a fancy romantic dinner with the love of your life, sushi gets the job done.
As such, you can imagine how sushi plays a part for the Japanese people, as it has a place for everyone, no matter what phase of life they find themselves in.
In fact, the concept of onigiri or “rice balls” is very much a variation of sushi, using mostly the same ingredients, only shaped a little differently for hand-held consumption.
Family Sushi Restaurants
Sushiro, Kura, and Hama Sushi are what I’d call the three horsemen of family sushi restaurants. These establishments compete for the best affordable sushi trains, making them a favorite for families and value seekers. They typically feature gachapon games too, where you win toys based on how many dishes you eat, making it appealing for young children (and let’s be honest, adults too!).
It’s not uncommon to find these sushi restaurants absolutely packed out on a weekend as families queue up for their weekly outing together. That being said, coming in on a weekday for lunch has a completely different vibe, usually on the brink of being totally empty at times. In some sense, these family sushi restaurants are like fast-food chains, offering the cheapest dishes, takeaway options, and family-friendly atmospheres.
The Extravagant Kind
For more special occasions, you can enjoy premium sushi at a higher price point at the likes of Matsuriya Yamahana, Toriton, and Nigiri Chojiro. These aren’t necessarily the most expensive, fine-dining level of restaurants (I could never afford that!), but they certainly deliver the premium experience as far as sushi goes. It’s the type of establishment that suits special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries, but can also just be a casual meal of higher quality.
Supermarket Sushi!
Sushi is not just limited to restaurants in Japan, they are also sold at supermarkets and convenience stores.
Unlike the sushi you’d get from an Australian 7-Eleven, the level of quality in a Japanese supermarket is unmatched.
Sushi is prepared fresh on the spot and packaged for same-day consumption.
What’s more is that they are extremely affordable, even going lower than the cheapest chain restaurants.
The image on the left is a pack of 20 salmon nigiri and norimaki pieces for only 1,500 JPY (9.50 USD) from Fresco, a popular supermarket chain in Kyoto.
So, is Sushi Regularly Eaten by Japanese People?
This whole article may have sounded like a tangent straying from the original question, but understanding the different ways that sushi is enjoyed in Japan is key to knowing how commonly it’s eaten by the Japanese people. A key point I would make is that, despite the countless ways in which sushi is served in Japan, it’s not a common choice as a homemade dish due to the time and effort required to craft each individual piece (it’ll be much easier to make a rice bowl instead).
Thus, to answer whether sushi is regularly eaten by Japanese people, one must consider what constitutes a sushi dining experience. If we’re talking about sushi restaurants specifically, then I’d say the Japanese don’t necessarily consume any more sushi than a Westerner, as it’s more of a choice of outing and not really a homemade go-to. However, if we were to include all the sushi bento boxes sold at supermarkets and convenience stores, and perhaps even “sushi-like” products such as onigiri, rice patty sandwiches, or rice bowls, then I would say the average Japanese person consumes some form of sushi every day!
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