Tradition
Sushi is the rice. What goes on it changes with the season and the counter; how it is made has not changed much at all.
Three parts of a piece
Every piece of nigiri at the counter is the same three things, in the same order.
Shari
The rice. Short-grain, seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar and salt while it is still warm, and pressed just firmly enough to hold together until it reaches your mouth.
Neta
The topping. Fish cut against the grain into a slice sized to the rice, or egg, eel or a vegetable. Cut when you order it.
Nikiri
A thin brush of soy, sake and mirin on top, put there by the chef so the piece needs no dipping at all.
Kept warm, served cold
The rice is kept close to body temperature through service. Against a cold slice of fish it is soft and fragrant; straight from a fridge it goes hard and loses its seasoning.
That is why nothing here is made ahead, and why takeaway is best eaten within the hour.
Kinds of sushi
What the words on the menu mean.
More in the glossaryNigiri
握りA small block of rice pressed by hand, with a slice of fish or another topping laid over it.
On the menuGunkan
軍艦Rice wrapped in a band of nori to hold loose toppings: roe, chopped tuna, spicy salmon.
On the menuHosomaki
細巻A thin roll, nori on the outside, one filling. Six pieces.
On the menuUramaki
裏巻きThe inside-out roll, rice on the outside. Eight pieces, more fillings, often a topping.
On the menuTemaki
手巻きA cone of nori filled by hand and handed straight over. Eat it before the nori softens.
On the menuChirashi
ちらしSushi rice in a bowl, covered with sashimi and other toppings.
On the menuSashimi
刺身Sliced raw fish without rice. Strictly not sushi, which means the rice.
On the menu
How to eat it
No rules at Miyuki, only a few habits that make it taste better.
Fingers are fine
Nigiri was made to be eaten by hand. Chopsticks are fine too.
Fish side down
If you dip nigiri, turn it over and touch the fish to the soy, not the rice, which soaks it up and falls apart.
Wasabi is already there
A little wasabi sits between the rice and the fish. Ask for more rather than stirring it into the soy.
Ginger between pieces
Gari resets your palate between different fish. It is not a topping.
One bite
A piece of nigiri is sized for one mouthful. Hand rolls should be eaten straight away.
Light to rich
If you are ordering a few pieces, start with white fish and finish with fatty tuna, eel and tamago.
Book a table
Walk in any time we are open, or hold a table at either restaurant. Counter seats stay free for walk-ins.