Kaiten-Sushi: Japanese Sushi Conveyor Belt
Typically we don’t think of sushi as fast food, but if you place it on a conveyor belt in Japan, it becomes it! “kaiten -zushi” in Japanese translates to “rotating sushi,” and was invented so customers could be served quicker without the use of servers. This is different from conventional sushi restaurants, and outside of Japan other methods are often used such as the “sushi train” or “sushi boat,” in which sushi arrives in mini train carriages or on floating boats as a server-less method.
Many Kaiten-sushi restaurants do not require your normal reservations, although there may be a line due to limited space at the convyorbelt. Once you are seated at the conveyor belt you’re presented with a menu with many different options of sushi. Additionally, many restaurants have alcoholic beverages such as beer or sake. For those who don’t want an alcoholic drink, soft drinks are also available. Sometimes these restaurants may even have more traditional foods such as side dishes, desserts, or even American food for picky eaters! A lot of the time this food can be ordered electronically through touch-screen menus.
Kaiten-sushi restaurants have a more casual vibe than a typical sushi serving restaurant, further indicating a status as a fast food restaurant. This is also reinforced by some of the unique types of sushi on the menu, as there are some nontraditional items as well as experimental ones such as mixing meat in the sushi rather than fish!
If you don’t want to order directly from the menu, you can pick something off of the conveyor-belt that catches your attention- as long as it is not labeled for someone else. At your table there are usually chopsticks, soy sauce, and towelettes for cleaning your hands before eating. Kaiten-sushi, or conveyor belt sushi, is such a fun eating experience! While Japan has tons of locations with conveyor belt sushi, the United States has recently been popularizing it and opening even more restaurants! Be sure to check one out if they open near you!
How to Eat at Kaiten-Sushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi) Restaurants
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