International Sushi Day

International Sushi Day is the perfect time to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved dishes: sushi. On June 18, sushi lovers everywhere come together to enjoy the rich flavors of this iconic Japanese cuisine. Whether you’re sampling new rolls or savoring your favorites, it’s a day to honor the art and taste of sushi.

Key Takeaways:

• International Sushi Day is celebrated every year on June 18.
• This day is celebrated to honor the art and enjoyment of sushi worldwide.
• International Sushi Day was officially recognized in 2009 after gaining popularity on social media.
• Sushi’s origins trace back to ancient Japan and Southeast Asia.

What Is International Sushi Day?

International Sushi Day is an annual celebration of sushi in all its forms. It can inspire people to learn, make, and eat sushi. The art and philosophy of sushi are celebrated on this day. It’s a playful way to get to know ingredients like raw fish and impeccably seasoned rice.

It’s a global tip of the hat to the dish that has won hearts around the world.

Why Is International Sushi Day Celebrated?

Happy International Sushi Day is celebrated to recognize the worldwide appeal and impact of sushi. It started as a way to help more people notice and enjoy this unique food. Sushi is more than food; it’s an art form. This day also honors the hard work of sushi chefs and the fresh ingredients they use. It’s even an opportunity to explore new flavors and discover more about Japanese cuisine.

Brief History

To understand where sushi comes from, we start with a dish called narezushi. Narezushi is made by salting fish and storing it in fermented rice for months. Both Southeast Asia and Japan had their own versions. People would throw away the rice and just eat the fish. This was the first kind of sushi and was an important source of protein for the Japanese.

During the Edo Period in Japan, sushi began to look more like what we know today. Fish and vegetables were wrapped in rice and mixed with vinegar. Different regions had their own styles, but this was close to the sushi most people recognize now. In the early 1800s, nigirizushi appeared. This is a small ball of rice with a slice of fish placed on top.

The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 caused big changes in Japan. Many people had to move and start over, which helped spread sushi to new places around the world. In the U.S., sushi started becoming popular in Little Tokyo by the mid-1900s. Hollywood stars loved it, which helped it catch on with more Americans. 

Sushi also changed! The California roll was created, using crab and avocado instead of raw fish, making it more familiar to American tastes. In 2009, June 18 was declared International Sushi Day, an idea that began on Facebook and quickly became popular worldwide.

When Is International Sushi Day?

International Sushi Day occurs annually on June 18. 

Upcoming International Sushi Day Dates

How To Celebrate International Sushi Day?

There’s never a shortage of delicious ways to celebrate happy International Sushi Day.

Whether you’re a sushi aficionado or trying it for the first time, here are some fun and tasty ways to mark the occasion:

1. Eat sushi at a restaurant 

Nothing beats spending some quality time at your favorite sushi restaurant. Many sushi restaurants offer special deals or sushi rolls that you can't find on any other day but on International Sushi Day. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge in delicious sushi without lifting a finger in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving classic nigiri with delicate slices of raw fish on perfectly seasoned rice or want to get bold with adventurous dragon rolls and flavorful cooked options, this is the day to dive in and treat yourself.

2. Make Sushi at Home

Why not take a shot at making your own sushi? It’s not just delicious, it’s a fun, rewarding experience that anyone can enjoy! All you need are a few key ingredients: perfectly seasoned sushi rice, flavored with high-quality rice vinegar, nori seaweed sheets, and your favorite fillings. Whether you love the crisp freshness of cucumber and avocado or prefer the savory touch of cooked crab sticks and shrimp, the choice is yours.

Feeling adventurous? If you can find sushi-grade raw fish, you can take your sushi rolls to the next level. Plus, there are plenty of simple, step-by-step guides online that’ll have you rolling sushi like a pro in no time. It’s a fantastic way to dive into Japanese cuisine, get creative, and impress yourself with homemade sushi masterpieces, including iconic favorites like dragon rolls. Give it a try, and taste the satisfaction of sushi made by you!

3. Learn About Sushi History and Culture 

Use International Sushi Day as an opportunity to learn more about the history of sushi and its deep cultural heritage. Explore the evolution of sushi through the ages, from its ancient methods of preservation to the massive array of sushi restaurants that currently exist in our society. You might want to check out the different regional styles of sushi across Japan. Each area has its own ingredients and unique way of making it. Knowing the story behind sushi makes eating it even better. It helps you see sushi as more than just food.

4. Share Your Sushi Moment 

Celebrate your love for sushi with friends, family, or anyone in your circle! Share tasty photos of your sushi, whether you got it from a restaurant or made it yourself. You can also post videos of you making sushi at home. Use popular hashtags like #InternationalSushiDay or #SushiLove to connect with sushi fans everywhere. Why not invite some friends to join in? Have each person bring one type of homemade sushi roll for a fun and shareable sushi party!

Conclusion

International Sushi Day is the perfect time to eat and learn about sushi. It’s a worldwide party for the delicious tastes and artistry of Japanese cuisine. 

FAQ 1: What Country Is Known For Sushi?

Japan is, of course, the home of sushi. It was born there, and it is an important part of Japanese food. 

FAQ 2: Why Is It Called Sushi?

The word “sushi” actually means seasoned rice, not the fish. The rice is mixed with rice vinegar, which gives it a slightly sour taste. This comes from an old Japanese word for “sour rice,” because sushi started as a way to preserve fish with fermented rice. So, “sushi” refers to the sour flavor of the rice, not just the fish. By the way, raw fish without rice is called “sashimi.”

FAQ 3: Who Discovered Sushi?

Sushi wasn’t invented by just one person. It developed over hundreds of years, starting as a way to preserve fish with rice in Southeast Asia. Over time, it changed into the Japanese sushi we enjoy today. But the person often credited with creating modern sushi, especially the hand-pressed nigiri style, is Hanaya Yohei.

FAQ 4: Is Sushi Halal?

Sushi can be halal if it has raw fish or other halal ingredients, like certain vegetables or cooked seafood. It must not have anything forbidden, like alcohol in the rice vinegar or any contamination from non-halal foods. If these rules are followed, then the sushi is halal.