The Right Way To Eat Sushi, According To Renowned Japanese Chef Nobu Matsuhisa

Nobu Matsuhisa, owner of Nobu Restaurants and Hotels and author of "Nobu: A Memoir," shares how to eat sushi the traditional Japanese way.
Following is a transcript of the video; it has been edited for clarity.
Nobu Matsuhisa: I’m Nobu Matsuhisa, owner of Nobu Restaurants Group and Hotels.
Chef Matsuhisa opened his first restaurant in 1987 in Los Angeles; today he owns 47. And there are six Nobu hotels around the world.
Matsuhisa: You don’t need extra wasabi. Wasabi is always inside, between the rice and fish.
So you can use chopsticks or your fingers - it doesn’t matter. Use what's more comfortable.
OK, here is wasabi and the ginger. Normally, people take the wasabi and dip soy sauce here, right?
But for me, it means a more traditional way. A piece of the fish, dip - put the soy sauce and wasabi on the middle of the fish. Then not much soy sauce.
So these are the three ways: sashimi, nigiri, and roll.
Nigiri sushi. Make half-turn, take the chopstick and put soy sauce on the fish side. You can see no rice. Just a touch of the soy sauce on the top of the fish.
But now, ginger. A piece of ginger, after one bite, if you try the next one, some tuna or shrimp or whitefish, take one piece of the ginger. Clean the salmon taste, then try the next pieces.
So, the sushi roll. Take this one, and this is no choice. Put the soy sauce in the rice but just a little. Just a little, then one bite. So everything is one bite. Don’t bite two bites.
I think it’s better to eat more the light, then a little bit heavy. It means more fatty fish at the end.
The final sushi may be better as a roll, even more - a cucumber, not like a fish. So cucumber roll, oshinko roll, and sour prawns. This is my way. I like that.
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[@letteralex]

I like how he said this is the "traditional/my way" instead of the "right way" or "correct way" unlike business insider

[@TELEVISIBLE]

Traditional you should use your hand , it was a street food

[@Fruitarian.]

Its fine BI just need a good translator

[@wind7519]

The Japanese masters, though extremely skilled and disciplined, are still humble. BI, and other outsider and hipster outlets are the ones that put words in their mouths.

[@ximienlundquist8487]

+theworldhere086 Not all Japanese masters are humble. Many of them have an ego. Don’t lie to make them look better.

[@AaronChen91]

they are proud of the craft they mastered. It is not easy to master the art of making excellent sushi just so you know, especially if you're doing omakase.

[@kellievo242]

I really like that he's still respectful of other ways of eating sushi. He doesn't say "now the RIGHT way to eat sushi is...", instead he says "the traditional way of eating sushi" or "my way of eating sushi".

[@soufianghalb8679]

This is what all the people do, but it's absolutely WRONG. Now let me show you the RIGHT way to eat sushi

[@petercdowney]

I think it's more that Japanese people aren't big on being too direct.

[@SK-fy8dl]

It would be nice if Westerners did the same thing, like "twirling pasta with a fork is my way or the traditional way" instead of the "right way".

[@TatisRingwormCreme]

​@petercdowney exactly the culture of "tatame" and "honne"

[@steinfakinaway6854]

1:34 "dont shake it, shaking is for the men in the men's room" - Naomichi Yasuda

[@millaz26]

lol 😂

[@sathyahemu8278]

Hi ..hello

[@Massigangster]

I had to think the same xD

[@aprilcarter1105]

came here to say this lol

[@MayaBastah]

You're in the wrong video, buddy.

[@4shi10]

mad respect for saying "my way" and "the traditional way"

[@evilherojain4412]

He didn’t say how to eat sushi the right way he showed it the traditional way.

[@bustinjieber6490]

Bob Ross how are u alive

[@XMansive]

Isn't the traditional way the right way?

[@evilherojain4412]

The only right way to eat food is to put it in your mouth.

[@XMansive]

i grab soup with my hands and shove it in my mouth to eat it

[@heendoongie123]

He said that's his way. So eat it the fuckever you want :)

[@draaxus2969]

"Doesn't matter, more comfortable way" T H A N K Y O U

[@jblove53]

I love how Americans try to tell japanese how they're eating sushi wrong

[@alexnascimento3078]

Dorian Terry You're complain about It just as an American would do.

[@sheisserzy]

haha i know right

[@bearxteddy7278]

Somebody is mad about HIROSHIMA.

[@smarttroll6065]

Dorian Terry I've never seen anyone do that, but I've seen Asians say stuff about how Americans eat hotdogs wrong or whatever but there not over sensitive like you so they don't mind.

[@masonm1124]

Dorian Terry I’m American and I eat sushi like he does. Am I an actual american?

[@MrBirdieZ]

Oh so that is what the ginger for.

[@spencerpootis2710]

Palate cleanser

[@oliverjohnkallesoe443]

I legit just said " oooohhhhhhh" out loud

[@suicunesolsan]

Ginger also has anti-septic effects and aids in digestion. Helps to neutralize any harmful bacteria that might go into your stomach. The Japanese know their stuff.

[@ybjericho8171]

SuicuneSol San I might sound stupid, but is it good to eat ginger from your point of view?

[@suicunesolsan]

Ginger has very few negative effects, so I would say ginger is very good to eat. (I know kids don't like it though, lol, I certainly didn't.) Of course, as with any food, moderation is key. Notice Mr. Matsuhisa only ate a small bit because the taste of ginger is quite strong. You don't eat it like potato or carrot. Best used as a garnish, for aroma, and to neutralize acidic foods like heavy meats, or to flavor drinks.

[@Javier_Flores4]

I really want sushi now

[@user-hu1oc6uk8d]

just eat and enjoy it

[@bjfifi]

Same

[@xt3916]

Good that he clarify things not what the dumb title stated. "This is my way how I eat sushi" every Japanese eat sushi differently to classify it is just dumb

[@rc660]

Most of the comments here are so disrespectful towards what the Chef has presented.

[@thewhitematstudio]

no name it’s social media...where most people are self-absorbed pricks. I enjoyed the video, comments not so much

[@haileyk2236]

Yes and no. Most of the annoyance is more towards Business Insider. For the most part, I already eat sushi like that (which is what I wanted to see). The main differences were much less soy spice due to personal preference and the ginger palate cleanser (which I will be trying asap because it sounds like a fantastic idea)

[@cyan3504]

nah it:s just them bashing bussiness insider not the chef

[@OzKo]

What? They are all praising the chef about how respectful he is

[@millzimatt]

That's funny, I'm going to nobu with my girlfriend on Saturday lol Edit: we broke up.

[@vi2e]

..and that's why you need to know how to eat sushi the right way!

[@UnIovable]

Damn.

[@Criclee]

damn bro

[@rohansenseii]

damn bruh im sorry

[@JuanCarlos-wx2tg]

😂 damn, hope you ok

[@manayeager1384]

I like him and his way of explaining. This is a great video!

[@jadecoolness101]

"One bite, not two bites." My mouth is tinY I’M SORRY CHEF ;-;

[@user-st5ir8mg3q]

It's ok. I'm sure he would make an exception for you🙃

[@FuhqEwe]

YOU BRING YOUR FAMIRY GREAT SHAME!!!

[@noorsabah1323]

btw i take three bites

[@IvyBryan30]

its sushi, not burger

[@OhXItsXJesse]

I feel you. I look like a chipmunk when eating sushi but I’ve managed

[@ellacarlson1791]

I love your way of how to eat sushi and sashimi. It's very helpful. Thanks you for sharing

[@user-my3po5jv6m]

So much help and love the rules! This helped a lot

[@Monkeman989]

Me: Brain at 3 am: You need to know how to eat sushi. Me: Why? Brain: You just need to.

[@beautifulvillian405]

I like it when he said "but for me, in more transitional way". He doesn't judge others who eat sushi right or wrong coz even Japanese people eat sushi with they comfortable way. I follow many Japanese KZbinrs and see them eat sushi in different ways they want. Korean eat their sushi or sashimi or nigiri in the different way too. For me, I like to eat transitional way, but (in some place) when chef don't put wasabi under the fish, then I ask for extra. Depends on place, time and opportunity.

[@flipmanonline]

Just finished eating my sushi. Now this popped up in my YT... Great... Real great!

[@phillipdeco472]

Thank you Sir

[@hybby]

This guy just leveled up my Sushi eating habits. I'll have to go to the sushi restaurant to my building soon and try this out. And then learn how to make sushi once again at home

[@eatmysass]

He seems nice. Explains how *he* eats/traditional way to eat and I'm sure there are reasons for it. I can see how eating the fattier fish at the end makes sense. The way he dips probably enhances flavor, or is to prevent the soy sauce from overpowering the flavor of the fish. Cleanse your palate with ginger to savor the flavor of the next fish!

[@Belle8kins]

Nice video! Thank you.

[@stacy_isa]

Looks so cute and warm) Nice work

[@heatherhull2332]

I'm craving sushi!

[@sorosch6960]

Not much soy sauce *dips the whole thing*

[@stinkypotatoe214]

lol for the sashimi its too much the others are so little soy sauce wtf. also older ppl want less saltiness usually so less soy sauce

[@Jesusjuicee]

There is barely any soy sauce in there to begin with

[@TheDougSpot]

Soy sauce doesn’t soak into the fish, but it soaks into the rice. So no, it was not much soy sauce

[@horseplop9]

Sorosch Naderi Hahaha yup

[@AnitaHanjaaab]

Sorosch Naderi lol I always just dip the whole thing.

[@novazo1]

I've heard about the Nodu restaurants a few times before. Always wanted to go try it.

[@maxsara8623]

He seems so sweet and chill

[@longliveitachi]

This was beautiful. Even with broken English he still speaks with elegance. Much respect sir.

[@malthus101]

cringe

[@Xtremedog83]

Yes this is the traditional way the way I prefer😊 I have been to Japan and have also learned the right way of eating it 😂 it's more of an art form.

[@krusher74]

So there is the tradional way and the right way?

[@kuda95m44]

i needed this

[@biancav7617]

He’s so adorable aw

[@crashpal]

I've been eating through my ears this whole time

[@ralphlores266]

“not much soy sauce” after drowning the fish on soy sauce

[@schompification]

Ralph Lores loooool

[@soon4831]

gordon ramsay：a little bit of olive oil *pour the oil into the pan like he wanted to kill the pan

[@maxvader1000]

Cause he tapped the side to get most of it off

[@wbx9126]

Fish can drown?

[@oriza2]

yes. on the shore. :)

[@l0vergirl.952]

This is so helpful to be honest because I used to put my sushi in the soy sauce the wrong way and it would taste weird but my favorite sushi is fried sushi 😍❤

[@raelee411]

I never knew I needed this information until now.

[@kylehchang1]

we need to back traditional sushi not all you can style. all you can eat kill sprit of traditional sushi also sushi chef. Watch out what is traditional sushi what is senseis,s intention. Sushi is like mentor and deciple thing if you dont understand you can not understand sushi. I really respect nobu himself he is great and he is always chef side not like any restaurant owner now. Thank you nobu sensei.

[@srr1463]

kyle chang all they care here is money dude. At the ordinary US restaurant they’ll prepare and serve you sushi whatever gets more money. You see sushi abomination all around and i mean sushi with bbq sauce, or with bacon. I mean wtf? It’s the taste of capitalism, disgusting.

[@discovaria9507]

@@srr1463 so you saying that there should be slavery?

[@LetsTalkElections]

With your pancreas duh.

[@giutas9916]

Opinion Fighter Me too!

[@britainluver431]

There is a sushi place near where I live, and I eat there quite often, and I'll have to try the sashimi and the nigiri forms of sushi. I often have the roll.

[@capeofstormz5974]

This is the best video on KZbin on how to eat sushi.

[@gabriemaeg7146]

I love sushi!!!😘😘

[@ryan2-518]

GLI ARTISTI DI PALLAVOLO E&G dude u are me. I love volleyball and sushi

[@prettyprudent5779]

It's traditional to eat with your hands if you don't know how to use chopsticks. To me, eating with my fingers makes it more satisfying 🌿 Cafe Mochi (Saint Louis, Missouri) is my favorite place, and has the most decadent creations (Godzilla roll) 😀

[@SuperShanko]

Pretty Prudent You mean like in a spiritual sense you’re holding hand of the chef who made your sushi and in turn you two are taking a trip to flavor town on a ride that’s as long as the timeline of the creation of sushi to the current time?..... or just Best not to embarrass yourself fumbling with chopsticks.

[@kaghanago4411]

Tradition exemplified simply

[@lorislaurencig7098]

You're wonderful!

[@Adam-rh4qu]

Imagine sitting next to him in a sushi restaurant.

[@SG-tv5jy]

I love wasabi and mix mine in with the soy sauce to start. Doing this I find the flavor to be more even. Wasabi is strong, and it can easily turn any piece into a "wasabi roll" if you use a little too much.

[@jimklemens5018]

Adding wasabi to soy sauce is a sin.

[@malthus101]

Maybe ask for some ketchup next time, I hear it's less hot than wasabi.

[@junnyalonzo904]

Now i know how, Thank you Chef 😊😊😊

[@henrik4740]

So exited to try susi lol!

[@zumis1011]

That shit looks so good, how does he eat it so stoically? I can't eat good sushit without closing my eyes for a second.

[@dcdriveinn]

Sour plums*

[@boywhoexo6967]

Pure talent right there

[@bingo737]

Sushi is Life! God bless Japan!

[@silanchro3177]

Guess I don't know how to eat anything right

[@PantsuMaster]

[silanchro] Technically, everyone eats it right. Which is why the Chef specifically says “My way”. BI just putting words into his mouth.

[@tiffanifarrington4039]

[silanchro] Noooo... You don't lol

[@ronacita1953]

[silanchro] 😂😂😂

[@momdadhelp]

sick! still eating sushi with my hands

[@prettyprudent5779]

Jake - HeyItsSmalls : It's traditional to eat with your hands if you don't know how to use chopsticks. To me, eating with my fingers makes it more satisfying 🌿 Cafe Mochi (Saint Louis, Missouri) is my favorite place.

[@xt3916]

Pretty Prudent I eat with no hand and no chop stick just traditional cave man eating raw animal

[@bonex1205]

he even said you can use your hands

[@RIPToNateDoggIHadToRegulate]

I ate sushi off my grandmother's ass one time. Delicious. I used her nails to poke the sushi and she fed me. That is all. -Xande

[@luisacortesmelo9993]

Omg nobuuuuuu. I had to do a project for my culinary class and I came up upon you.

[@kangjhha]

Always like to finish off with uni, blue crab hand roll or sweet shrimp for me.

[@afsan2321]

don't shake it. That's for the bathroom

[@HappySwedishPancake]

I always eat the ginger with the sushi, in the same mouthful. YOLO.

[@Jurkyification]

Absolute madlad

[@destinysmith8689]

This guy is so cool

[@butteredsalmonella]

Duuude i'm totally Craving for Sushi right now.. sad thing is that, no one has a clue what Sushi is though, making it really really rare. Those stupid Chicken Skin doesn't meet my standards.

[@x0955863233]

Dude sour plumbs, not prawns!

[@avatharbehemoth]

this guy is making it up as he goes along

[@paddyharrigan1530]

I love his accent so much

[@timwynn6079]

NOo wayy..! I can chew a sushi!! I thought i was supposed to blend it and drink. BONKERS !

[@SuperShanko]

Tim Wynn You’re thinking of a Good Burger when you wanted a Good Shake.

[@Mohammedaagh]

As a fish I find this extremely offensive.

[@ChillFrost]

I'm drooling!!

[@claystar9valor]

Nobu has great food. Would recommend if any of you guys have a chance to go to one.

[@kuroryuzaki28]

I eat however I want to

[@kuroryuzaki28]

Way Hid GTFO you thirsty fuck

[@lb_9202]

RadioactivePrincess May I join in as well?

[@jeffreyjohnston6023]

Well, this turn bad real fast.

[@whyintheworldamiallowedsuc6417]

RadioactivePrincess the guy showed how he eats it. Stupid fucking insider said the "right way"

[@Monocheess]

Cool, and I'll go eat my soup with my hands.

[@clamchance2404]

I use hand instead, am i just the only one ?

[@klieu90210]

That's the most traditional way. I use my hands for nigiri and dry apps. Chopsticks for wet apps.

[@edvins8863]

This just made me hungry

[@TheBeast-gs2kw]

I tried Sushi when I was three and I loved it. 🍣😏

[@iLL3571]

amazing, please tell me more

[@apriltheghost2009]

I love mixing wasabi into my Soy sauce, I probably eat sushi 4 times a week.... I swear I was japanese in a former life lol.

[@SuperShanko]

apriltheghost2009 Nah, you were a cat 😽

[@flutter8712]

Kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[@AvangionQ]

Ever try a shake of hot pepper into the soy sauce? static1.squarespace.com/static/516f6d4be4b09cc422dbfa45/t/5923091c37c5818d74673ebe/1495468338924

[@apriltheghost2009]

SuperShanko Agreed... Before I was Japanese I was a Cat.... 😃

[@toddk7913]

Pro tip: Stick it with a fork and dip it in catchup. Pairs nicely with some cheese balls and a milkshake.

[@yoram9692]

Grate some cheese all over the thing

[@francopraderio3760]

Idiot!

[@onlywinchi7650]

Barbarian

[@grubbetuchus]

I'm still laughing. Best comment.

[@siavash6528]

Ketchup

[@Stephensouraski]

I enjoy allot of wasabi, I like that head tingling feeling.

[@jasonsmith1143]

great! tomorrow night dinner will go for Sushi

[@MegamikazeMoriko]

that's how professionals eat. with class and respect. plz dawg we are all filthy casuals and we eat like pigs 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@anonymous.m.1599]

3世 村正 yes exactly 😂😂

[@Monocheess]

Speak for yourselves.

[@emilia6967]

I thought eating with your hands is how it's supposed to be done

[@TheDougSpot]

Emilia It is

[@cspark4602]

If you set on a table you use chopstick. Set at the bar your finger.

[@ytalai8339]

He said you can eat it with or without the chopsticks it doesn’t matter

[@LLLadySSS]

He says whatever u wanna do do it lmao the most comfortable for u

[@oriza2]

he would eat it by hand, but the snob guests in his restaurants would not really like that, so he is using the sticks instead...

[@jeff8253]

I have been to one of the Nobu restaurants in Hong Kong lol

[@oriza2]

not sour prawns, what he says at the end, but sour plums. (umeboshi) that is soooooo tasty!

[@RaistlinM21]

If there is a meal that is eaten just to be seen is sushi...

[@user-lg9mk9wd2l]

RaistlinM21 wtf you smoking lol.

[@Monocheess]

Best comment 2k18

[@Monocheess]

Kira

[@charlech]

nice anime

[@Monocheess]

Racist.

[@charlech]

wut HOW

[@Monocheess]

What, all videos of Asians are Anime?

[@charlech]

nope just japanese :)

[@Monocheess]

Still racist.

[@shae5787]

😻 my absolute😛 favorite🤤

[@appletree8441]

Just cook the fish..and I might ..MIGHT try it

[@mosalahsson1382]

“Better to have it in a lol, cucumber lol, oshinko lol”

[@BalkanWeeb]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@HoiiHoiiHoiiHoii]

so cute

[@ronacita1953]

Billy D 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 u got me weak

[@zxcytdfxy256]

Honestly it is cool to learn how it should be eaten and all, but just it however the fuck you want and it is ok, in the end it's all going to your stomach.

[@EliteHenz]

Mllr hr It’s just a culture thing. You better be eating the right way when you visit Japan though to show the chefs and the culture respect. Here, eat it however you want.

[@Archangelz7z]

Elite Henz exactly.

[@chrissim4115]

Elite Henz true that. That's why you will usually find Most type of Asians asking how to eat something unfamiliar

[@SuperShanko]

Mllr hr It’s the same as a more utensil based dining experience such as have a special fork for dinner, dessert and salad. These are just carried over things from way back when just as much as how you know not to eat your bun/hotdog with a knife and fork in favor of your hands or don’t double dip your chips into dip.

[@Monocheess]

Cool, I'll go eat my soup with my hands. I mean, after all, it is just going into my stomach.

[@yatusabescompany924]

nice

[@jewellsmith9499]

You are making me hungry watching you. I think MGM has one of your restaurants or they did when I worked for them.

[@saltydiarrhea386]

What's the right way to eat a hot dog? Move your face to the meat stick, or the meat stick to your face? Sounds as interesting as eating sushi, ahhhh to mustard sauce and ketchup or not? Oh me so so sawi. Eat sushi with a fork if you're going to be a sissy and not use your hand food.

[@darexinfinity]

You're suppose to rip the hot dog in the middle and eat each half from the middle out and discard the edges.

[@joyitadarling5815]

darexinfinity bro you wild

[@nekochen]

Nah man, my friend has the best way down to the core. Let me teach you the secret. Grab the hot dog by ONE END of the bun, DEFINITELY NOT THE MIDDLE!! Now, lift the hot dog while pinching down the bun, and let the hot dog slide out from the bun and drop to the floor. Pick up the hot dog and say "THAT SUCKS" and you're done eating one.

[@OlivierLopezCh]

You have to lick the tip of the hotdog a few times first

[@xt3916]

Salty Diarrhea is that why you have diarrhea?

[@filthygarbage]

There’s no right way to eat food

[@Jay2423M]

N I B B A Then y don't u eat soup with your hands?

[@toestrings4260]

rofl

[@Ableten]

N I B B A h

[@WassupChannel]

want some thrill? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f36rlneIoauBhdE

[@filthygarbage]

I can eat soup with my hands yes, what you gonna stop me or something?

[@gladiator_games]

Cool

[@user-dw6fz4du1m]

yums

[@dejectd2972]

Yup, they are definitely out of ideas.

[@km444cs]

Now im craving for sushi haha

[@najinovthunderbird4516]

Sashimi is typically eaten with chopsticks, but the traditional way to eat sushi is by lifting a piece between your thumb and middle finger. Picking up the sushi with the fingers allows you to feel the texture and helps to keep it together, rather than damaging it with wooden sticks.

[@udarpavarota396]

God bless Japan.

[@jadinblackmountain]

I always thought the ginger was to aid in digestion of the fish. Learned something new haha

[@DarlingKaya]

he seems so lovely

[@TheMrsoulkitchen]

The ginger and wasabi on top of sushi together is so fire tho

[@DrewDeLand]

So how would you add wasabi to a nigiri or roll?