Note on sushi vs sashimi. Sushi is made with rice and some fillings like fish or vegies, usually wrapped in seaweed. Sashimi is fresh fish, often sliced and arranged ornamentally, like in the form of a heron or flower.
I have been to very few places where I thought the fish sushi was palatable. I can tell just by inhaling through my nose when I walk into a place. The fish normally is not fresh enough. It has to be very fresh, which in Japan, means frozen immediately after being caught, then thawed immediately before being used. Our concept of fresh fish is simply wrong given the realities of fish and fishing and transportation. The Japanese have it right.
