Food Experiences

Trying Sushi for the First Time in Japan: Essential Phrases

Navigate your first sushi experience in Japanese with confidence. Learn how to express curiosity, describe tastes and textures, react to new foods, and discuss your culinary adventure with Japanese colleagues and friends. Essential phrases for food reactions, texture descriptions, and cultural food conversations.

First-Time Sushi Experience in Japanese Culture

You're trying sushi for the first time with a Japanese colleague and want to express your curiosity, reactions, and thoughts about this new culinary experience

Essential Japanese Phrases for Trying Sushi and New Foods

寿司すしを食たべるのは初はじめてです。

Sushi o taberu no wa hajimete desu.

"This is my first time eating sushi."

Grammar: First-time experience pattern using nominalization 'no wa'

本当ほんとうですか？寿司すしを食たべたことがないんですか？

Hontō desu ka? Sushi o tabeta koto ga nai n desu ka?

"Really? You've never tried sushi before?"

Grammar: Negative experience pattern using 'tabeta koto ga nai' (never eaten)

見みた目めがちょっと変へんですね…食たべられるかな？

Mita me ga chotto hen desu ne… taberareru kana?

"It looks strange… I'm not sure about this."

Grammar: Tentative worry using potential form 'taberareru' + uncertainty 'kana'

さあ、食taべてみて！美味おいしいですよ！

Sā, tabete mite! Oishii desu yo!

"Come on, try it! It's delicious!"

Grammar: Encouragement using 'tabete mite' (try eating) + emphasis 'yo'

うーん…思おもったのと味あじが全然ぜんぜん違ちがいますね。

Ūn… omotta no to aji ga zenzen chigaimasu ne.

"Hmm… the taste is so different from what I expected."

Grammar: Expectation vs. reality using 'omotta no to... ga chigaimasu'

言いったでしょ、美味おいしいでしょう？

Itta desho, oishii desho?

"I told you, it's good, right?"

Grammar: Confirmation pattern using 'desho' (right?/isn't it?) for validation

生なまの魚さかなはちょっとぬるぬるして苦手にがてかも。

Nama no sakana wa chotto nurunuru shite nigate kamo.

"I think the raw fish is a bit slimy for me."

Grammar: Texture description with tentative dislike using 'nigate kamo'

最初さいしょは普通ふつうですよ。そのうち慣なれますよ。

Saisho wa futsū desu yo. Sono uchi naremasu yo.

"That's normal at first. You'll get used to it."

Grammar: Reassurance pattern using 'sono uchi naremasu' (eventually get used to)

意外いがいとこれ好すきかも！これ何なにですか？

Igai to kore suki kamo! Kore nani desu ka?

"Actually, I think I like this one! What is it?"

Grammar: Pleasant surprise using 'igai to' + tentative liking 'suki kamo'

それはサーモンです。日本にほんではとても人気にんきですよ。

Sore wa sāmon desu. Nihon de wa totemo ninki desu yo.

"That's salmon. It's really popular in Japan."

Grammar: Food identification with cultural context using 'Nihon de wa'

Japanese Food Culture and First-Time Experience Etiquette

Trying sushi for the first time is a significant cultural moment in Japan. Japanese people take pride in their cuisine and genuinely enjoy introducing foreigners to authentic sushi experiences, often serving as enthusiastic guides through the process.

Japanese colleagues appreciate honest reactions to food, even if initially hesitant. Being open about your uncertainty shows authenticity and creates opportunities for cultural exchange and guidance.

The texture (食感 - shokkan) of sushi is often the biggest adjustment for first-timers. Japanese people understand this and are patient with newcomers who need time to appreciate raw fish textures.

Expressing that something is 'different from expectations' (思ったのと違う) is a polite way to process new food experiences without being negative. This phrase shows thoughtful consideration rather than immediate judgment.

Japanese food culture values the journey of developing taste preferences. The phrase 'そのうち慣れます' (you'll get used to it) reflects the belief that appreciation for traditional foods develops over time through exposure.

Japanese Grammar Patterns for Food Reactions and Taste Descriptions

[food]を食たべるのは初はじめてです

polite

First-time experience pattern using 'o taberu no wa hajimete desu'

Expressing that this is your first time eating a particular food

[food]を食たべたことがないんですか？

polite

Experience inquiry pattern using negative past experience + explanatory 'n desu ka'

Asking if someone has never tried something before (shows surprise)

思おもったのと[adjective]が違ちがいます

polite

Expectation vs. reality pattern using 'omotta no to... ga chigaimasu'

Expressing that something is different from what you expected

[adjective]かもしれません/かも

casual

Tentative opinion pattern using 'kamo shiremased' (might be/perhaps)

Expressing uncertain or developing opinions about taste or preference

意外いがいと[adjective]です

polite

Surprise pattern using 'igai to' (surprisingly/unexpectedly)

When something turns out better or different than expected

Complete Japanese Vocabulary for Sushi, Taste, and Food Reactions

Japanese	Romaji	English	Category
寿司すし	sushi	sushi	Sushi Types
刺身さしみ	sashimi	sashimi (raw fish without rice)	Sushi Types
握にぎり寿司ずし	nigiri-zushi	nigiri sushi (hand-pressed)	Sushi Types
巻まき寿司ずし	maki-zushi	sushi roll	Sushi Types
サーモン	sāmon	salmon	Sushi Types
マグロ	maguro	tuna	Sushi Types
海老えび	ebi	shrimp	Sushi Types
いか	ika	squid	Sushi Types
生なま	nama	raw	Food States
新鮮しんせん	shinsen	fresh	Food States
冷つめたい	tsumetai	cold	Food States
美味おいしい	oishii	delicious	Taste
味あじ	aji	taste/flavor	Taste
甘あまい	amai	sweet	Taste
塩辛しおからい	shiokarai	salty	Taste
酸すっぱい	suppai	sour	Taste
苦にがい	nigai	bitter	Taste
うま味	umami	umami (savory taste)	Taste
食感しょっかん	shokkan	texture/mouthfeel	Texture
ぬるぬる	nurunuru	slimy/slippery	Texture
柔やわらかい	yawarakai	soft	Texture
弾力だんりょくがある	danryoku ga aru	chewy/elastic	Texture
とろとろ	torotoro	melting/smooth	Texture
ねっとり	nettori	sticky/gooey	Texture
初はじめて	hajimete	first time	Experience
好すき	suki	like	Preferences
苦手にがて	nigate	not good with/dislike	Preferences
意外いがい	igai	unexpected/surprising	Reactions
変へん	hen	strange/weird	Reactions
普通ふつう	futsū	normal/ordinary	Reactions
慣なれる	nareru	to get used to	Adaptation
最初さいしょ	saisho	at first/beginning	Adaptation
そのうち	sono uchi	eventually/in time	Adaptation
段々だんだん	dandan	gradually	Adaptation
見みた目め	mita me	appearance/how it looks	Appearance
色いろ	iro	color	Appearance
形かたち	katachi	shape	Appearance
人気にんき	ninki	popular	General
有名ゆうめい	yūmei	famous	General
伝統的でんとうてき	dentōteki	traditional	General
何なに	nani	what	Questions
どんな	donna	what kind of	Questions
どう	dō	how	Questions
本当ほんとう	hontō	really/truly	Expressions
ちょっと	chotto	a little/somewhat	Expressions
全然ぜんぜん	zenzen	completely/totally	Expressions
とても	totemo	very	Expressions

Practical Tips for Discussing New Food Experiences in Japanese

Cultural

Honest Reactions Are Appreciated

Japanese people value authentic responses to food experiences. Being honest about your uncertainty or initial hesitation shows sincerity and often leads to helpful guidance and cultural exchange.

Tip

Focus on Texture When Struggling

If the taste is unfamiliar, describing the texture helps Japanese people understand your experience. Words like 'nurunuru' (slimy) or 'yawarakai' (soft) give specific feedback they can relate to.

Watch Out

Don't Say 'Kirai' (Hate) Too Quickly

Saying you hate something after one bite can seem closed-minded. Use softer expressions like 'nigate kamo' (might not be good with this) or 'chotto...' (a little...)

Example:Too strong: 嫌いです → Better: ちょっと苦手かも (chotto nigate kamo)

Cultural

The Learning Journey Is Expected

Japanese food culture recognizes that appreciating traditional foods is a process. Expressing willingness to try again or acknowledging it might grow on you shows cultural understanding.

Tip

Ask About Specific Types

When you find something you like, ask what it is specifically. Japanese colleagues enjoy explaining different fish types and preparations, turning the meal into a learning experience.

Watch Out

Avoid Comparing to 'Normal' Food

Saying sushi isn't 'normal food' can sound dismissive of Japanese culture. Instead, say it's 'different from what you're used to' (慣れているものと違う).

Example:Avoid: 普通の食べ物じゃない → Better: 慣れているものと違います

More Japanese Conversation Guides

Shopping & Daily Life

Trying Sushi for the First Time in Japan: Essential Phrases

First-Time Sushi Experience in Japanese Culture

Essential Japanese Phrases for Trying Sushi and New Foods

Japanese Food Culture and First-Time Experience Etiquette

Japanese Grammar Patterns for Food Reactions and Taste Descriptions

Complete Japanese Vocabulary for Sushi, Taste, and Food Reactions

Practical Tips for Discussing New Food Experiences in Japanese

Honest Reactions Are Appreciated

Focus on Texture When Struggling

Don't Say 'Kirai' (Hate) Too Quickly

The Learning Journey Is Expected

Ask About Specific Types

Avoid Comparing to 'Normal' Food

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