NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Sushi chefs prepare food at WarmSculpting NYC event with spokeswoman Brooke Shields at Refinery Hotel on September 24, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for WarmSculpting)
Sushi is one of the most unique dishes in the world. It is a signature Japanese food that not only Japan loved but also a lot of people across the world. Sushi restaurants are scattered in every country, bringing a hint of Japan in every city. However, nothing can beat a freshly made sushi that is from Japan, and it is really different when it's authentic.
With its amazing taste and flavor that will leave your mouth watering for more, sushi also comes in a bit expensive, among other Japanese dishes. While many of you wonder why sushi is expensive, here are five reasons why it can leave your wallets empty.
Sushi is popular
When you hear a restaurant is serving sushi and sashimi on their menu, their store will definitely look good. However, there are standards that the restaurant should reach. Customers will expect good-tasting sushi whenever it's on the menu. Not only that, but customers will also assume that when sushi is being served in a restaurant, it is automatically expensive.
A lot of people perceive that sushi is expensive; thus, it becomes one. Therefore, sushi restaurants price their menus accordingly. The reason why they make their items expensive is not to sound greedy, but to drive profit and keep the business running. However, the price varies in different regions, season, and of course, the rarity of the supply.
It has a high risk of spoilage
Since sushi and sashimi are mainly composed of raw and fresh fish, it can get spoiled immediately and won't make it to the plate. One thing why a lot of people love sushi is because of the fresh fish, and it's what makes it in demand. If you dine in a sushi restaurant, always ask if their fish is fresh and safe to eat. Reputable sushi chefs would not serve fish that are close to spoilage.
Labor expenses for the sushi chef
Making sushi requires not only skills but talent as well. Reputable sushi chefs have gone through tons of training throughout their years of making sushi. Long-term apprenticeships are needed for sushi chefs for them to get into the job. Hiring a sushi chef means additional expenses when it comes to labor, and they are compensated higher than other ordinary chefs. Usually, a sushi chef can earn a salary of $30,000 to $70,000 annually.
The fish used in sushi.
Of course, sushi is ordered by many because of its unique taste and presentation. The type of fish that are used for sushi and sashimi is more expensive compared to ordinary fish you can buy in the grocery or supermarket. Since restaurants make large amounts of sushi every day, they need to purchase fishes in bulk or wholesale. And a lot of fish sellers that sell in wholesale charge more, given that sushi is also in demand and the type of fish is rare to catch.
The other ingredients are volatile.
Aside from the fish used in sushi and sashimi, its other ingredients are also expensive and hard to find. Depending on the type of sushi that you are ordering, the price will depend on the wholesale of ingredients. That is why there are a lot of traditional sushi restaurants that do not put a fixed price on their menus, and they let the chef work on the customer's budget.
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