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Learn Japanese at the Sushi Counter

Sushi Counter 寿司カウンター — Omakase Confidence

Sit at the counter like a regular. Talk to the chef, ask what's fresh, know your cuts. Transform from tourist to someone who actually knows what they're eating.

153 words · 7 chapters

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Why This Book?

Sitting at a sushi counter in Japan can be intimidating without the right vocabulary. You might miss the chance to ask for omakase (chef's choice), struggle to identify fish by their Japanese names like maguro or engawa, or not know the proper etiquette for eating nigiri. This book transforms you from a confused tourist into someone who can confidently interact with the chef and truly appreciate the experience.

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Fish Knowledge

鮪, 鯛, 平目, 雲丹 - know every cut and variety

restaurant

Omakase Ordering

お任せ, お好み, 旬 - order like a regular

chat

Chef Interaction

今日のおすすめ, 美味しい - talk to the master

payments

Counter Etiquette

一貫, 時価, お会計 - proper sushi manners

What You'll Learn

1

Counter Basics

22 words

Getting seated and oriented at the sushi counter - reservations, seating, omakase vs okonomi, and essential terminology.

寿司すし sushi
板前いたまえ sushi chef
お任せおまかせ chef's choice
握りにぎり hand-pressed sushi
旬しゅん in season
...and 17 more
2

Tuna & Red Fish

21 words

The premium cuts - maguro varieties from lean akami to fatty otoro, plus essential terms for quality and freshness.

鮪まぐろ tuna
中トロちゅうとろ medium fatty tuna
大トロおおとろ fatty tuna belly
赤身あかみ lean tuna
炙りあぶり seared
...and 16 more
3

White Fish & Shellfish

25 words

Hirame, tai, shellfish varieties - the delicate white fish and popular shellfish you will encounter at the counter.

鯛たい sea bream
平目ひらめ flounder
帆立ほたて scallop
海老えび shrimp
烏賊いか squid
...and 20 more
4

Roe & Specialties

22 words

Uni, ikura, and special preparations - the prized toppings and various sushi styles from gunkan to temaki.

雲丹うに sea urchin
イクラ salmon roe
軍艦ぐんかん battleship sushi
手巻きてまき hand roll
玉子たまご egg sushi
...and 17 more
5

Condiments & Etiquette

22 words

Proper use of soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger - plus essential eating etiquette for the counter experience.

醤油しょうゆ soy sauce
山葵わさび wasabi
ガリ pickled ginger
サビ抜きさびぬき without wasabi
箸はし chopsticks
...and 17 more
6

Talking to the Chef

21 words

Phrases for chef interaction - asking for recommendations, complimenting the food, and building rapport.

今日のおすすめはきょうのおすすめは what do you recommend today?
美味しいおいしい delicious
もう一貫くださいもういっかんください one more piece please
最高さいこう the best
ごちそうさまでした thank you for the meal
...and 16 more
7

Counting & Payment

20 words

Numbers, ordering quantities, and settling the bill - including understanding market prices and payment options.

時価じか market price
お会計おかいけい bill; check
松まつ deluxe grade
竹たけ standard grade
カード使えますかかーどつかえますか can I use a card?
...and 15 more

Pro Tips

Omakase (お任せ) means "I leave it to you" - the chef serves their best seasonal selections. It is often the best value at high-end sushi restaurants. Just say おまかせでお願いします when you sit down.
Eat nigiri in one bite whenever possible. This shows respect for the chef's craftsmanship and lets you taste the perfect balance of rice and fish together. Use your fingers or chopsticks - both are acceptable.
Dip fish-side down in soy sauce, not the rice. The rice will absorb too much soy sauce and fall apart. A light touch is all you need - the chef has already seasoned the sushi perfectly.
Gari (pickled ginger) is a palate cleanser between different fish, not a topping. Eat a small piece between bites to reset your taste buds and fully appreciate each new piece.
時価 (jika) means "market price" - this is often the most expensive item on the menu. Do not be afraid to ask おいくらですか (how much is it?) before ordering to avoid surprises.

Why Learn With Our App?

These 153 words are just the beginning. Here's how our app helps you actually remember them.

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Spaced Repetition

FSRS algorithm schedules reviews right before you forget. Learn more in less time.

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Gamified Learning

Build combos, maintain streaks, earn points. Learning feels like playing, not studying.

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Cloud Sync

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Works Offline

Download and learn anywhere - on the plane, subway, or in Japan without data.

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Real Vocabulary

No textbook words you'll never use. Every word is practical for real situations.

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