This sushi menu guide for Japan will turn you from a confused tourist into a sushi connoisseur. Can’t read the Japanese menu? Too shy to ask? Don’t worry โ we’ve got you! ๐ (Or at least help you order without pointing at random things and hoping for the best.)
Quick Navigation:
- Fish Classification (Red / White / Blue)
- Complete Sushi Menu Guide
- Nutrition at a Glance
- How to Order in Japanese
- Restaurant Recommendations
- Sushi Etiquette Tips
๐ Fish Classification: Red / White / Blue
Before diving into the menu, knowing these four categories will instantly help you understand what you’re ordering. Think of it as your cheat code ๐ฎ
๐ฅ Red Meat Fish๏ฝ่ตค่บซ (Akami)
Deep red flesh. Rich in protein and iron. Lean and clean-tasting โ bold flavor without too much fat. The most “classic” sushi experience.
Examples: Tuna (Maguro ๐ด), Fatty Tuna Belly (Toro), Bonito (Katsuo), Yellowtail (Hamachi)
๐ฆ White Meat Fish๏ฝ็ฝ่บซ (Shiromi)
Light, delicate flesh. Lower in fat, mild flavor โ not “fishy” at all. Perfect for first-timers and those with a more delicate palate. ๐
Examples: Flounder (Hirame โช), Sea Bream (Tai), Squid (Ika)
๐ฉ Blue-Backed Fish๏ฝ้้ญ / ๅ ็ฉ (Hikari-mono)
Shimmery silver skin. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Bold, strong flavor โ often marinated in vinegar to balance the richness. Not for the faint-hearted! ๐
Examples: Mackerel (Saba ๐ต), Horse Mackerel (Aji), Sardine (Iwashi)
๐ฆช Shellfish & Others๏ฝ่ฒใปใใฎไป
Shrimp, scallop, sea urchin, roe and more. Often sweet and briny. Sea urchin (Uni) is absolute luxury โ you’ll either love it instantly or politely pretend you do. ๐
Examples: Shrimp (Ebi ๐ฆ), Scallop (Hotate), Sea Urchin (Uni ๐), Salmon Roe (Ikura ๐ )
๐ก Fun fact: Salmon gets its pink color from eating shrimp โ so it’s classified separately from other “red” fish. Nature is quirky, and delicious.
๐ Complete Sushi Menu Guide โ Japanese Sushi Names in English
Every major sushi item decoded โ with the Japanese name, type, flavor, and calories per piece (nigiri). Screenshot this before dinner! ๐ฑ
๐ก Reading tip: Japanese menus often show only kanji. Match the characters in the table below and you’re golden.
๐ฑ On mobile, scroll each table sideways to see all columns.
Table 1 of 2 โ Fish name, type & flavor:
| ๐ Fish (English) | ๐ฏ๐ต Japanese / Romaji | Type / ็จฎ้ก | ๐ Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ด Lean Tuna / ใพใใ Maguro | ้ฎชใปใพใใ / ma-gu-ro | ๐ฅ Red Meat ่ตค่บซ | Clean, meaty, mildly rich. Entry-level luxury ๐ |
| ๐ด Fatty Tuna Belly / ใจใ Toro | ๅคงใจใใปไธญใจใ / o-toro | ๐ฅ Red Meat ่ตค่บซ | Buttery, melt-in-mouth. The Rolls Royce of sushi ๐ |
| ๐ Salmon / ใใ Sake | ้ฎญใปใตใผใขใณ / sa-ke | ๐ Salmon | Creamy, rich, sweet. #1 tourist favourite ๐ |
| ๐ก Yellowtail / ใฏใพใก Hamachi | ้ฐคใปใใใ / ha-ma-chi | ๐ฅ Red Meat ่ตค่บซ | Rich, slightly fatty. Grown-up flavor ๐ท |
| โช Sea Bream / ใใ Tai | ้ฏใปใใ / ta-i | ๐ฆ White Meat ็ฝ่บซ | Elegant, subtle, clean. Classic beauty ๐ธ |
| โช Flounder / ใฒใใ Hirame | ๅนณ็ฎใปใฒใใ / hi-ra-me | ๐ฆ White Meat ็ฝ่บซ | Light, delicate, sweet. Great for beginners ๐ฃ |
| ๐ต Mackerel / ใใฐ Saba | ้ฏใปใใฐ / sa-ba | ๐ฉ Blue Fish ้้ญ | Bold, vinegary, strong. Not shy! ๐ช |
| ๐ต Horse Mackerel / ใใ Aji | ้ฏตใปใใ / a-ji | ๐ฉ Blue Fish ้้ญ | Lighter than saba, slightly tangy ๐ช |
| ๐ต Sardine / ใใใ Iwashi | ้ฐฏใปใใใ / i-wa-shi | ๐ฉ Blue Fish ้้ญ | Oily, pungent, punchy. Nutritional gold ๐ฅ |
| ๐ฆ Shrimp / ใใณ Ebi | ๆตท่ใปใใณ / e-bi | ๐ฆช Shellfish ่ฒ | Sweet, firm. Most kid-friendly option! ๐ฆ |
| ๐ฆช Scallop / ใปใใฆ Hotate | ๅธ็ซใปใปใใฆ / ho-ta-te | ๐ฆช Shellfish ่ฒ | Sweet, buttery, briny. Very approachable ๐ฏ |
| ๐ Sea Urchin / ใใซ Uni | ้ฒไธนใปใใซ / u-ni | ๐ Luxury | Intensely oceanic, creamy. Love it or nope ๐ |
| ๐ Salmon Roe / ใใใ Ikura | ใใใ / i-ku-ra | ๐ Luxury | Salty, pops in mouth. Very Instagrammable ๐ท |
| โช Squid / ใใ Ika | ็่ณใปใใ / i-ka | ๐ฆ White Meat ็ฝ่บซ | Chewy, mild, clean. The diet option ๐ฅ |
| ๐ Octopus / ใใ Tako | ่ธใปใใ / ta-ko | ๐ฆช Shellfish ่ฒ | Chewy, mild, usually boiled. Very popular! ๐ |
| ๐ค Freshwater Eel / ใใชใ Unagi | ้ฐปใปใใชใ / u-na-gi | ๐ Special | Sweet, smoky, glazed with tare sauce ๐ |
| ๐ก Egg Omelette / ใใพใ Tamago | ็ๅญใปใใพใ / ta-ma-go | ๐ฅ Other | Sweet, eggy. The “I’m not sure yet” order ๐ |
Table 2 of 2 โ Nutrition (per one nigiri piece):
| ๐ Fish | ๐ฅ Cal/piece | ๐ Omega-3 | ๐งฌ Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ด Lean Tuna / Maguro | ~55 kcal | โโโโ | ~8g |
| ๐ด Fatty Tuna / Toro | ~80 kcal | โโโโ | ~6g |
| ๐ Salmon / Sake | ~70 kcal | โโโโ | ~7g |
| ๐ก Yellowtail / Hamachi | ~73 kcal | โโโโ | ~7g |
| โช Sea Bream / Tai | ~44 kcal | โโโโ | ~8g |
| โช Flounder / Hirame | ~38 kcal | โโโโ | ~8g |
| ๐ต Mackerel / Saba | ~70 kcal | โโโโ | ~7g |
| ๐ต Horse Mackerel / Aji | ~55 kcal | โโโโ | ~7g |
| ๐ต Sardine / Iwashi | ~65 kcal | โโโโ | ~7g |
| ๐ฆ Shrimp / Ebi | ~42 kcal | โโโโ | ~8g |
| ๐ฆช Scallop / Hotate | ~45 kcal | โโโโ | ~8g |
| ๐ Sea Urchin / Uni | ~65 kcal | โโโโ | ~5g |
| ๐ Salmon Roe / Ikura | ~60 kcal | โโโโ | ~6g |
| โช Squid / Ika | ~38 kcal | โโโโ | ~7g |
| ๐ Octopus / Tako | ~40 kcal | โโโโ | ~8g |
| ๐ค Freshwater Eel / Unagi | ~90 kcal | โโโโ | ~6g |
| ๐ก Egg Omelette / Tamago | ~62 kcal | โโโโ | ~4g |
* Calories are approximate per one nigiri piece (~20g fish + rice). Omega-3: โโโโ = very high โ โโโโ = low. Consult a nutritionist for medical dietary advice.
๐ช Nutrition at a Glance
| Goal | Best Choices | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ Lowest Calorie ไฝใซใญใชใผ | Flounder (Hirame), Squid (Ika), Octopus (Tako) | All ~38โ40 kcal per piece |
| ๐ช Highest Protein ้ซใฟใณใใฏ | Flounder, Squid, Octopus, Shrimp | All ~8g protein per piece. Perfect for gym-goers! ๐๏ธ |
| ๐ง Most Omega-3 ใชใกใฌ3่ฑๅฏ | Fatty Tuna (Toro), Salmon, Sardine, Mackerel | Maximum omega-3 โ great for brain and heart health ๐งฌ |
| ๐ Best All-Rounder ใใฉใณในๆๅผท | Salmon (Sake) | Great omega-3, good protein, and crowd-pleasing taste. Start here if unsure! |
โ ๏ธ Allergy Alert! If you have shellfish, fish, or soy allergies, always tell the staff before ordering:
๐ฏ๐ต ใใขใฌใซใฎใผใใใใพใใ (Arerugi ga arimasu = “I have allergies”)
Japanese chefs take food allergies very seriously. Don’t be shy โ say it clearly! ๐
๐ฃ๏ธ How to Order Sushi in Japan โ Key Japanese Phrases
You don’t need fluent Japanese โ just a few key phrases will make the chef smile and earn you instant respect. Bonus: even one Japanese sentence gets you audible gasps of admiration. Enjoy the attention! ๐
| Situation | ๐ฏ๐ต Japanese | Romaji (pronunciation) |
|---|---|---|
| โ๏ธ One please! | ใฒใจใคใใ ใใ๏ผ | Hitotsu kudasai! |
| โ๏ธ Two of these, please. | ใใใใตใใคใใ ใใใ | Kore o futatsu kudasai. |
| ๐ค What do you recommend? | ใใใใใฏไฝใงใใ๏ผ | Osusume wa nan desu ka? |
| ๐ This looks delicious! | ใใใใใใงใใญ๏ผ | Oishi-sล desu ne! |
| ๐คค It’s delicious! (after eating) | ใใใใ๏ผ | Oishii! |
| ๐ณ The bill, please. | ใไผ่จใใ้กใใใพใใ | O-kaikei o onegaishimasu. |
| ๐จ I have allergies. | ใขใฌใซใฎใผใใใใพใใ | Arerugi ga arimasu. |
| ๐ฟ No wasabi please! | ใใใณๆใใงใ้กใใใพใใ | Wasabi nuki de onegaishimasu. |
๐ True story: Many tourists accidentally eat a large chunk of wasabi thinking it’s avocado. The result is a magnificent 5-second face of pure chaos, followed by frantic water-gulping. If this happens to you โ it won’t kill you, it passes in 20 seconds, and yes, everyone around you will be very entertained. ๐ฅ
๐ช Restaurant Recommendations
Japan’s sushi scene runs from ยฅ100-per-plate conveyor belts all the way to ยฅ30,000 omakase experiences. Here’s a breakdown so you can match the restaurant to your budget and vibe ๐ฐ
๐ Kaiten-Zushi (Conveyor Belt)๏ฝๅ่ปขๅฏฟๅธ
Price: ยฅ100โยฅ500 per plate
The legendary revolving sushi belt! Plates rotate past you on a conveyor โ grab what you want, stack your plates, pay by count at the end. Some chains now have bullet-train delivery. ๐ Highly recommended for first-timers and families. Zero pressure, maximum fun.
๐ช Top chains: Sushiro (ในใทใญใผ), Kura Sushi (ใใๅฏฟๅธ), Hama Sushi (ใฏใพๅฏฟๅธ), Genki Sushi (ๅ ๆฐๅฏฟๅธ)
| โ Pros | โ Cons |
|---|---|
| No Japanese needed | Not the freshest fish |
| Very affordable | Less artisanal quality |
| English tablet menus available | Can get crowded on weekends |
| Low pressure, great for groups & kids | Limited premium items |
๐ Mid-Range Sushi Restaurant๏ฝไธญไพกๆ ผๅธฏใฎๅฏฟๅธๅฑ
Price: ยฅ2,000โยฅ8,000 per person
A step up in quality and atmosphere. Usually a real restaurant with tables and/or a small counter. May have English or picture menus. Great for dates and special occasions where you want quality without a mortgage. ๐
๐ช Examples: Uobei (้ญ็ฑณ), Midori Sushi (ใฟใฉใๅฏฟๅธ), Itamae Sushi (ๆฟๅๅฏฟๅธ)
| โ Pros | โ Cons |
|---|---|
| Good quality fish | May need some Japanese to order |
| Nicer atmosphere | Reservations often needed |
| Often have picture menus | Higher cost than kaiten |
| Great for special occasions |
๐ง Standing Sushi Bar๏ฝ็ซใก้ฃใๅฏฟๅธ
Price: ยฅ1,500โยฅ4,000 per person
Hidden gems! You stand at a counter and order directly from the chef. Surprisingly high quality for the price โ many chefs trained at elite restaurants. Fast, fun, and a very authentic local experience. ๐ฏ
๐ช Examples: Uogashi Nihon-ichi (้ญใใๆฅๆฌไธ), Tsukiji Sushi Sen (็ฏๅฐๅฏฟๅธๆธ )
| โ Pros | โ Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent quality/price ratio | Menu is usually Japanese-only |
| Very local, authentic experience | Can feel intimidating for beginners |
| No waiting for a table | Standing only โ no lingering |
| You can watch the chef work up close |
๐จโ๐ณ Omakase Counter Sushi๏ฝใใพใใใซใฆใณใฟใผๅฏฟๅธ
Price: ยฅ15,000โยฅ50,000+ per person
The pinnacle of sushi. You sit at the counter and the chef decides everything based on the best fish of the day. No menu needed โ just say:
๐ฏ๐ต ใใไปปใใงใ้กใใใพใใ (Omakase de onegaishimasu = “I’ll leave it to you”)
…and prepare to have your mind blown. ๐คฏ This is a life experience, not just dinner.
๐ช Famous examples: Sukiyabashi Jiro (ใใใใฐใๆฌก้), Saito (้ฝ่ค), Sushi Yoshitake (้ฎจใใใใ) โ all require reservations months in advance!
| โ Pros | โ Cons |
|---|---|
| Absolute peak sushi quality | Very expensive ๐ธ |
| No ordering needed | Reservations needed months ahead |
| Chef personalizes every piece for you | Strict etiquette expected |
| A story you’ll tell forever ๐ธ | Not suitable for picky eaters or allergies |
๐บ๏ธ Where to find omakase: Neighborhoods like Ginza, Azabu-Juban, and Shinjuku in Tokyo are your best hunting grounds. Use Tabelog (Japanese Yelp) or Tableall.com for English reservations.
๐ Sushi Etiquette Tips
Japanese people are incredibly forgiving of foreign visitors โ you don’t need to be perfect. But these basics will help you feel comfortable and earn genuine smiles. ๐
๐คฒ Hands are totally OK!
Eating nigiri sushi with your fingers is completely acceptable โ actually, it’s the traditional way! Don’t panic if you drop your chopsticks. ๐
๐ถ Dip the fish side, not the rice
When using soy sauce, turn the nigiri upside down and dip the fish side in the sauce โ not the rice. Dunking the rice makes it crumble apart and soaks up too much salt.
๐ฟ Wasabi is already inside (at good restaurants)
At quality sushi restaurants, the chef places a small amount of wasabi between the fish and rice. Don’t add more unless you really need it โ the chef has already balanced the flavors. (But if you need it, just ask nicely!)
๐ Pickled ginger is a palate cleanser, not a topping
That pink pickled ginger (called gari) is meant to reset your taste buds between different pieces of sushi โ not to be piled on top of your sushi. A very common tourist mistake! ๐
๐ Say “Itadakimasu!” before eating
Before you start eating, say “Itadakimasu!” (ใใใ ใใพใ โ “I gratefully receive this food”). Chefs and restaurant staff literally light up when foreign visitors say this. It costs you nothing and means everything. ๐
๐ Eat promptly โ sushi waits for no one
Sushi is meant to be eaten immediately after it’s served โ especially at counter restaurants. Don’t Instagram it for 5 minutes while the rice gets cold and the fish dries out. (30 seconds is fine. We understand. ๐ธ๐)
๐ด Always carry cash
Many traditional sushi restaurants are cash-only! Always carry some yen before heading out. Getting caught cashless at an omakase dinner isโฆ a very special kind of horror story. ๐ฑ
๐ Final Notes from Kuro & Tora’s Kitchen
Japan’s sushi culture is joyful, not intimidating. Chefs love seeing people genuinely enjoy their food. You don’t need to be perfect โ just be curious, be respectful, and say oishii! (ใใใใ๏ผ) when something tastes amazing. The rest will follow. ๐ฃโจ
For more guides to eating and living in Japan, check out our Cashless Payments Guide and Cost of Living in Tokyo.
Have a question about sushi or a restaurant to recommend? Drop a comment below! ๐
โ ๏ธ Calorie and nutrition figures in this article are approximate and for reference only. Always consult a nutritionist or medical professional for dietary advice.
Last updated: April 2026 | Written by Sunny & Go โ a multicultural couple living in Tokyo ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฏ๐ต
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