Why Is Sushi So Expensive? 4 Reason You’re Paying More
If you’ve visited a sushi bar lately or even browsed the preprepared selection often available in supermarkets, you may well be asking ‘why is sushi so expensive?’.
The traditional Japanese delicacy, typically made with rice, vegetables, and fresh fish, has surged in popularity in recent years and many Westerners enjoy it on a regular basis, but there’s no denying that it can put a sizeable dent in your bank account.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly why you’re paying the premium, and why sushi is so expensive…
1. Skilled sushi chefs can demand high rates of pay
A sushi chef is called an itamae, which literally translates as ‘in front of the board’, because the individual is in front of the chopping board, in charge of every element of preparation.
It’s a role that’s held in very high regard in the culinary world, and it requires many years of learning and honing the right skills.
Interestingly, in Japan, the title can take up to a decade to earn, and for the first year, individuals are considered to not be ready to go anywhere near the fish. There is simply too much learning to do before they’re given that honour and responsibility.
An itamae is an artist, a craftsman, and their knife skills in particular are absolutely second to none.
As such, the best sushi chefs can demand high rates of pay compared to generalists in the food preparation industry, and this cost is passed on to the end consumer.
If you’re eating sushi in a high end restaurant, the itamae will often also have responsibility for being the host and ensuring guests are happy and entertained, as well as calculating the final bill.
2. Sushi ingredients are typically expensive
Selecting the correct rice is fundamental to the preparation of good sushi. Sushi rice is more glutenous than other varieties, and it ensures that sticky texture that everyone loves. It does however come with a significantly higher price tag. When you’re preparing sushi for many people, this rice can become a big cost that has to be factored into pricing.
The best quality fresh fish is also necessary. The best chefs will refuse to use fish that has previously been frozen, and of course, fish is such an important element of the dish.
Because sushi is made with relatively few ingredients, each of them need to shine if the end result is going to be the best it can be. There are no thick sauces, for example, to hide any subpar ingredients, so the chef needs to ensure that all the components meet a very high standard.
It’s also worth noting here that if you’re eating at a respected restaurant, it’s likely that the chef has had to source and ship in these ingredients from various locations around the world.
3. Sushi is marketed as a luxury food
Let’s suppose that you’re saving for something special, so you’re trying to live on a tight budget and make your money go further.
It’s been a long morning at the office, and you head to the supermarket to pick up something quick, easy, and satisfying for your lunch.
In this instance, sushi probably isn’t going to be your go to choice. Instead, you’re going to go for a sandwich with half the price tag.
Simply put, sushi isn’t something that we consider to be a cheap and cheerful everyday staple. It’s a luxury, for special occasions or at least when we feel like we deserve a bit of a treat.
Because of this position that sushi has earned in the market, people expect to pay more and are willing to do so. Visiting a sushi restaurant is an activity that appeals to those with disposable income. They’re less price sensitive, and are willing to pay the higher price.
Therefore, these restaurants don’t have to be constantly looking for ways to keep their prices low.
4. There tends to be a lot of wastage during the preparation process
Sashimi is an ingredient that’s widely used in the world of sushi, and this is thinly sliced meat or fish. Salmon and tuna are most commonly used, though the definition also covers the likes of mackerel, clams, and octopus.
The literal translation of sashimi is ‘pierced fish’.
The preparation of sashimi means that only the fillet is used. The fillet also happens to be the most expensive part of the fish. In many cases, the rest of the fish is wasted.
As you can imagine, this makes the creation of sushi costly, and it’s one of the reasons why sushi is so expensive.
Is sushi cheap in Japan?
The cost of sushi in Japan varies greatly. You can pick it up from fast food style establishments for very affordable prices, though you can of course also find extremely expensive high end restaurants that will cost you a significant amount of money.
Ultimately, sushi in Japan can be cheap, or very expensive!
Check out this guide to the best budget sushi in Tokyo, featuring inspiration for where to find the best conveyor belt and standing sushi restaurants.
How often do people in Japan eat sushi?
Even in Japan, sushi is considered to be a meal that’s saved for special occasions. You might be surprised to discover that research on sushi consumption shows that only a quarter of those living in Japan eat sushi more than once a month.
Can sushi be cooked?
It’s a common misconception that sushi is always raw.
First of all, it’s worth noting that the rice used to make sushi is always cooked!
Eel, octopus, and cuttlefish are popular components that are almost always cooked, and prawns and are also usually cooked before serving.
Sushi does not translate to ‘raw fish’, and if you’re hoping to find a cooked variety, there are plenty of options out there for you to try.
Now that we’ve answered the question of why sushi is expensive and answered a few other common questions, it’s over to you!
Do you believe that great sushi is worth the higher price? What’s your favourite kind, and where do you like to buy it from?
