Japanese Raw Fish

　　Sushi is a staple rice dish of Japanese cuisine. It consists of cooked rice flavored with vinegar and a variety of vegetable, egg, or raw seafood. Subtleties of preparation can be found everywhere. Vinegar-pickled ginger root is eaten together with sushi to cleanse the palate. This allows a diner to enjoy the full flavor.

　　Sashimi, on the other hand, is fresh fish served raw. The fish must be utterly fresh. Sashimi is eaten with wasabi, a green horseradish paste, and soy sauce. It is usually served early in the meal so that the palate can enjoy the true flavor. Sake, rice wine, is traditionally drunk with sashimi.