Glossary
Some specialized or slang terms are used in the sushi culture. Most of these terms are used only in sushi bars.
- Agari: "Rise up" Green tea. Ocha (お茶) in usual Japanese.
- Gari: Sweet, pickled and sliced ginger, or sushi ginger. Shoga (生姜) in standard Japanese.
- Gyoku: "Jewel", Sweet and cubic-shaped omelette. Tamagoyaki (卵焼, 玉子焼 in standard Japanese.)
- Murasaki: Soy sauce. Murasaki is the color name for violet or purple. Shoyu (醤油) in standard Japanese.
- Neta: Toppings on nigiri or fillings in makimono. Ne-ta is from reversal of ta-ne. Tane (種) in standard Japanese.
- Oaiso: "Compliment", Bill or check. Oaiso may be used in not only sushi bars but also izakaya. Okanjo or chekku (お勘定) in standard Japanese.
- Otemoto: Chopsticks. Otemoto means the nearest thing from the customer seated. Hashi (箸) or ohashi in standard Japanese.
- Sabi: Japanese horseradish. Contracted form of wasabi (山葵).
- Shari: Vinegar rice or rice. It may originally be from Sanskrit (zaali शालि) meaning rice and/or Sarira. Gohan (ご飯) or meshi (飯) in standard Japanese.
- Tsume: Sweet thick sauce mainly made of soy sauce. Nitsume (煮詰め) in standard Japanese.
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