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Writer's pictureKaz Matsune

Is it true that sometimes sashimi is eaten with salt only instead of soy sauce?


Nodoguro, Pasel Drawing by Chef Kaz Matsune

(Originally posted on Quora.com)

Yes, it is true.

One of my favorite ways to eat sashimi is, however, not just salt only, but salt and lemon. The key point being the fish must be exceptionally fresh and high grade.

For the major part of 2015, I've been serving scallops from Viking Village, NJ, sashimi to some of my private clients with Himalayan salt and fresh-squeezed lemon juice. No soy sauce and I think it's the best way to enjoy the sweet flavor of scallops.

(Scallops from Viking Village, NJ. Fantastic with just a squeeze of lemon, salt, no soy sauce. Wasabi is optional as well.).

I do tell them to try the first piece with no soy sauce and if they feel the need to add soy sauce for their second piece, I tell them it's certainly optional.


Some of them were surprised to hear that soy sauce was optional, yet after trying scallops with no soy sauce, many clients were surprised to find out how fantastic scallops tasted.


Another example of fish that goes well with salt and lemon are:

  • Dungeness crab

  • Halibut

  • Red Snapper

  • Salmon

  • Tuna

  • Yellowtail/Hamachi

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