03 Sep

Sushi for beginners: What to order if you've never tried sushi before

by 02

Never tried sushi before? Unsure how to start your sushi journey? Don’t worry, getting started is way easier than you might think.

From classic sushi rolls to cooked and crispy favourites, there are plenty of options for sushi first timers.

At iso., we offer a wide variety of modern Japanese fusion dishes, so you can start with familiar flavours and explore from there.

Here’s our iso. approved simple guide to ordering sushi for beginners.

Maki, Nigiri or Sashimi… What’s the Difference?

If you’re new to sushi, these three terms can sound confusing.

But, we’re here to break it down for you:

First up, maki - Sushi rice and delicious fillings rolled together with nori (seaweed), then cut into bite-sized pieces.

This is a great place to start with a variety to choose from: avocado, cucumber, tuna, salmon, or prawn and chive. Each piece offers a perfect blend of flavours and textures, tailored to your taste!

Then, nigiri - A small portion of sushi rice topped with an ingredient such as seared beef, prawn, tuna, or salmon.

Expertly crafted for a delightful bite, each piece highlights the unique flavours of our finest ingredients.

Finally, sashimi - Thinly sliced fish served without sushi rice. If you're new to sushi, you may want to save this one until you're feeling more adventurous.

Salmon sashimi

Cooked or Raw? You Choose.

One common misconception that we hear about sushi is that it always contains raw fish. But, that is not always the case.

There are plenty of cooked options, including chicken, crispy fillings, tempura, cooked seafood and vegetables.

If you're unsure about raw fish, start with something familiar. Here at iso. we have plenty of options to choose from, like crunchy prawn and avocado iso, firecracker chicken iso, or our vegetable iso.

Prawn and avocado crispy Iso Sushi

Once you've found flavours you enjoy, you can always try something new next time.

What Are the Soy Sauce, Wasabi and Ginger For?

You've probably seen these served alongside sushi, but what do they actually do?

Soy sauce adds depth, and a hint of saltiness which enhances the natural flavours of the fish and ties together the rice and nori. Try dipping your sushi lightly rather than soaking it.

Sushi dripped with soy sauce

Wasabi amplifies the flavours of the fish, and acts as a palate cleanser between each bite. If you're trying it for the first time, we recommend starting with a small amount.

Pickled ginger, similar to wasabi, is enjoyed between different pieces of sushi to refresh your palate so you can taste each unique flavour.

What Sushi Should I Try First?

Our advice? Start with flavours you already enjoy.

If you love chicken, try a chicken based option like, the firecracker chicken iso.

Prefer something crispy? Look out for one of our crispy or tempura dishes.

Tempura crispy sushi

Enjoy vegetables? There are plenty of fresh vegetable combinations to explore.

Then, add one thing you've never tried before. This way, you're enjoying something familiar while still discovering something new.

Our First-Timer ISO. Order 🍱

If you're visiting iso. for the first time and aren't sure where to begin, try this simple approach:

Start with something familiar - choose a cooked or crispy option you know you'll enjoy.

Add a sushi roll - Maki is an easy introduction to sushi and combines rice, fillings and flavour in one bite.

Try something new - choose one dish outside your comfort zone. You might discover a new favourite.

Share the table - ordering a selection and sharing is one of the best ways to experience different flavours and textures.

assorted box sushi

Ready to Try Sushi for the First Time?

There’s no right or wrong way to start your sushi journey.

Whether you choose cooked chicken, a colourful maki roll, something crispy or decide to try raw fish for the first time, the most important thing is to enjoy it.

And if you're not sure what to order, our team is always happy to help you choose.

So, if you've been searching for sushi for beginners, wondering what sushi should I try, or simply want to try something different, come and discover iso.

Table shot of multiple sushi