Interesting Facts!! #54

54. Sushi Train

Kaiten-zushi is a sushi restaurant where the plates with the sushi are placed on a rotating conveyor belt. A sushi train also known as a Conveyor belt sushi or sushi-go-round is a form of fast-food sushi common in Japan.Customers may place special orders, but most simply pick their selections from a steady stream of fresh sushi moving along the conveyor belt. The final bill is based on the number and type of plates of the consumed sushi. 

The menu usually features seasonal ingredients in addition to standard items like salmon, maguro (tuna), shrimp and kappamaki (cucumber roll). Many also serve cooked foods, such as miso soup and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), fried foods and desserts. Sushi pieces usually come with wasabi inside, although it can also be ordered without.

These restaurants typically use plates of different colors and patterns to indicate their costs. Prices range from about 100 yen to 500 yen or more depending on the item, although some restaurants also maintain a flat rate for all plates (usually 100 yen). Plates typically come with one or two sushi pieces each. A description of the plates with their accompanying prices can be found on the menu or on signs placed around the restaurant. Seating is usually provided by counter seats along the conveyor belt, but many establishments also offer tables.

At each seat, there is a bottle of soy sauce, a container of pickled ginger, a stack of small dishes for the soy sauce, a box of chopsticks, a small container of green tea powder (or teabags), tea cups and a built-in hot water dispenser. Tea is usually self-serve. To make it, place some green tea powder into the cup and add hot water from the dispenser. Once seated, you can start taking plates of food off the conveyor belt or order specific dishes directly from the sushi chef or server. Some establishments also offer touchpads to place orders electronically.

At the end of the meal, the server will calculate the bill based on the number of empty plates. You will then be handed your bill to be paid at the register near the exit.

Etiquette

Do not touch plates on the conveyor belt unless you intend to take them. Do not put plates back onto the conveyor belt.

-The more you know~