What’s the difference between sushi in Denmark and Japan?

Sushi chef & sake sommerlier Zoë Escher

Sushi in Denmark: Full of Variety and Flavor

There’s a big difference between the sushi you’ll find in Denmark and the traditional sushi served in Japan.

In Denmark, sushi is typically made with 3–6 different types of fish and seafood, used to create both sushi rolls and nigiri. The selection of rolls is large, and at most restaurants, there’s something for every taste.

It’s also very common for Danish sushi to be topped with various ingredients anything from chili mayo to seaweed adding extra flavor and visual appeal.

Most sushi chefs in Denmark are trained locally, which means that the techniques, ingredients, and overall approach differ from what’s used in Japan. That’s why sushi in Denmark often tastes quite different from the kind you’d find in, say, Tokyo.

Sushi in Japan: Focused on Quality and Simplicity

In Japan, sushi is all about quality and simplicity. The focus is first and foremost on perfectly prepared rice and the freshest, highest-quality fish.

That’s one reason why it takes many years to become a skilled sushi chef in Japan, because there’s nothing to hide behind. Every detail must be just right and in perfect balance.

Japanese sushi restaurants follow the seasons closely and use fish, seafood, and vegetables that are in season. You’ll often find 15–25 different types of fish and seafood used for nigiri, which is the most popular type of sushi in Japan.

Toppings are used sparingly perhaps just a touch of salt or a bit of grated lime to enhance the flavor without overpowering the fish.

Japanese sushi chefs are trained in Japan and use different techniques and ingredients to highlight the pure, delicate flavors. This is exactly why sushi tastes different in Japan.

Learn to Make Sushi Like in Tokyo

At our Beginner Sushi Course, you’ll learn step-by-step how to make sushi using the same ingredients and techniques as Japanese chefs in Tokyo and with the most popular types of fish for sushi.

That way, you can enjoy delicious, homemade sushi whenever you’re in the mood!

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What kind of sushi do the Japanese prefer to order as take-away?


Well, both nigiri sushi and the large futomaki sushi rolls are popular among the Japanese. When it comes to take-away, many choose sushi rolls. However, it is not just any sushi roll.

There are many people who buy the large futomaki rolls. In the large rolls, there is room for several different types of filling. With just a few futomaki rolls you embrace the entire food pyramid.
Due to the size of the pieces, they are also easy to transport, they do not tip over so easily.

Nirigi sushi is very popular among the Japanese who are interested in eating several different fish during a meal.
Most often, nigiri sushi boxes are sold with 8 pieces of sushi.
3 of the pieces will be with 3 different kinds of fish. One will be with squid.
The last 2 will most often be vegetarian; it can be Japanese omelet and tofu.
A mixed Japanese nigiri box ensures that proteins come from several different sources without compromising on the healthy fish oil.

On the Sushi Course for Beginners, you learn step by step how to make tasty sushi that can be enjoyed on a daily basis and on special occasions.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What is the best way to store sushi in a refrigerator?

Sushi Chef & Sake Sommelier
Sushi is a dish that tends to dry out easily if it is stored the wrong way.

All ingredients used in sushi are fresh and raw.
You know it from tomatoes. If you cut a tomato allow it to lie without being wrapped properly the surface will dry. The same thing happens with sushi. It does not taste very good.

What causes sushi to dry out easily is the direct contact with air.
Sushi should be stored in an airtight container. If that is not possible, let us say you bought sushi for a dinner and it takes up a lot of space in your fridge.

The next best thing to do is to wrap cling film tightly around the sushi so that no air gets in. It is important to wrap in such a way that the individual pieces of sushi do not break.

Sushi should always be eaten at room temperature. It tastes the best.
Approx. 15 minutes before you sit down to eat, you take the sushi out of the fridge and leave it on the kitchen table (without a lid).

You do not always have to buy sushi.

On the Sushi course for beginners, you learn step by step how to make tasty sushi for everyday use and parties.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How long can soy sauce last?


Soy sauce is fermented soybeans.

In Japan, there are as many different types of soy sauce as there is cheese in a Danish supermarket.
Yep, that’s true.

There are different types of soy sauces for the many styles in Japanese cuisine. For sushi, a specific Japanese soy sauce is used, a soy sauce that is not used for Japanese noodle soups.

All bottles naturally display a recommended expiration date indicating when the soy sauce should be used.
Since soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans, it has a very long shelf life and can usually be consumed even after the expiration date. If you’re unsure, you can always taste it to check the quality.

I store soy sauce outside the fridge too even though the bottle is open, I have always done that. So do Japanese sushi restaurants in Tokyo.

In the Sushi course for beginners, I talk more about which soy sauce is best suited for sushi.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Are there sushi courses for beginners in Copenhagen?

Sushi chef & sake sommerlier Zoë Escher
Yes!

If you dream of learning how to make authentic, delicious sushi, and you want to do it right here in Copenhagen, then my Sushi course for beginners is perfect for you.
The courses are held on weekends, making it easy for everyone to participate, whether you come alone, as a couple, with friends, or with your child

What will you get out of the sushi course?

In the course, you’ll receive a thorough yet accessible introduction to the Japanese art of sushi making.
We begin with the sushi rice, which is the key to great sushi. You’ll learn the entire process from preparation to cooking using Japanese techniques.
We also work with ingredients that create authentic flavour, including fish, vegetables, and Japanese staples.
You’ll learn how to evaluate quality at the fishmonger, and how to handle and cut both fish and vegetables to achieve the best results.

During the course, we will roll several types of sushi, and you’ll receive practical tips that make it easier to create beautiful and tasty rolls you can be proud of.
The goal is that after the course, you’ll feel confident making sushi at home and know exactly what to look for when shopping for ingredients.

Small classes with focus on you

Classes are small, giving you plenty of room and time to immerse yourself.
You’ll have your own workstation and the opportunity to receive personal feedback along the way, even though the teaching takes place in a group.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the course is also suitable for families and adults bringing a child.

When you go home, you’ll have the techniques, knowledge, and confidence to make Japanese-inspired sushi in your own kitchen.

The course is taught by Japanese trained Sushi Chef & Sake Sommelier Zoë Escher, who has 19 years of experience.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

With a sushi course, you can eat sushi several times a week


Are you also one of those who love sushi, but find it too expensive to buy out every time?

Or do you just want to impress your friends and family with your own homemade sushi?

Then a sushi course might be just what you need!

With a sushi course, you not only learn the art of making tasty sushi rolls, but you also learn how you can save money by making your own sushi at home. You can choose your own fresh ingredients and adapt the taste exactly to your wishes.

Sushi is not only delicious; it can also be a healthy and nutritious way to eat. With a sushi course, you learn to choose the best ingredients and raw materials, prepare them correctly and assemble the rolls in a way that gives you a balanced and nutritious meal.

Take a sushi course with friends or family and make it a social event.
It is not only a great way to learn, but it is also fun to make delicious sushi rolls together and share the experience. After the course, you can continue to organize sushi evenings at home, where you can enjoy your homemade creations.

Learning how to make sushi is not just a temporary skill – it is a lifelong skill. Once you learn the technique, you can enjoy delicious sushi exactly the way you want it, whenever you want.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Can all types of seafood be used for sushi?

For that I have to say both Yes and No.

It depends a lot on how it is used in sushi.
You have to think that seafood has a completely different texture than fish. Most fish fillets are quite firm in the meat.

If you look entirely at seafood they remind you most about a bag of mixed candy. Seafood comes in many different sizes, tastes and texture. It is the raw material that is the hardest to use for sushi.

Some seafood used in sushi restaurants outside Europe are very difficult to prepare for sushi, it requires you as a sushi chef to use many different Japanese cooking techniques.

The consistency of seafood is also very different. Some shellfish have a very hard surface while others are very soft. In order for this type of raw material to become a gastronomic experience, you need to know which Japanese cooking techniques are best suited to it.

At the Sushi course for beginners the attendance learns to prepare the most sought after raw materials for sushi.

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Do Japanese sushi chefs use different types of fish than sushi restaurants in Europe?

Japanese sushi chefs use many different types of fish than European sushi restaurants. Fish is a very popular raw material in Japanese cuisine. The Japanese learn to enjoy fish from when they are small. The Japanese eat as much fish as we eat meat in Europe.

The selection of fresh fish suitable for sushi is bigger in Japan than in Europe. This also means that it is very normal for sushi restaurants in Japan to have 15-20 different fish on the menu.

Some of the fish which is on a Japanese menu such as salmon, tuna and squid. The Japanese menu also contains local fish that can only be caught in local sea in Japan

Read more about the Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Which fish is the healthiest to eat?

Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher
Salmon is the healthiest fish. There are several reasons for this.
It is a fish that is described as fatty fish in the healthy way. It has a high content of omega 3, which belongs to the healthy fatty acids that are vital for the body.
Salmon also has a high content of protein 200 grams of salmon contains 44 grams of protein. Salmon is a booster for your health.

The Japanese population eats as much seafood as Europeans eat meat. In Japan, the variety of different types of fish is large, so most Japanese follow the season for fish.
During the year, the Japanese eat fish with a high content of omega 3 and at other times, they eat fish and shellfish which are not fatty, but instead contain other types of vitamins and minerals.

As a side dish, the Japanese eat many vegetables and cabbage prepared in different ways.

On the Sushi course for beginners, you learn step by step how to make tasty sushi with the most popular fish.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Sushi is the easiest way to get more vegetables eaten!

Sushi chef & sake sommerlier Zoë Escher

Did you know that sushi can be one of the easiest ways to eat more vegetables without getting tired of your food?

One of the main ingredients in sushi is seaweed. This type of seaweed is cultivated on the seabed in countries such as Japan, Korea, and China, in much the same way as we grow oats and wheat here at home. The flavor varies depending on where it is grown, and in Japan it is typically harvested in the autumn.

After harvesting, the seaweed goes through a thorough process, it is washed, cleaned, dried, pressed, and cut to the right size. In Japan, you can find both everyday seaweed and exclusive quality seaweed for gourmet sushi.

Sushi seaweed is actually the vegetable in the world that contains the most vitamins and minerals. You therefore don’t need to eat much before covering a large part of your body’s needs.

Would you like to learn how to make delicious sushi at home in your own kitchen?

At our Sushi course for beginners, you will be guided step by step through all the techniques.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.