What should I make to go with sushi?

[DaniJ]

I have been really into Japanese culture lately, as I have been getting into anime and manga lately. I even started learning the language. I love sushi, and have been acquiring a collection of sushi ingredients so I can make it at home. So far, I have the bamboo mat, antique Japanese bowls for sauce and matching chopsticks, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and nori. I have normal white rice, which I know isn't exactly right, since you're supposed to be sticky rice, but I may just have to deal with my sushi falling apart. I have rice vinegar to make the seasoned rice, and will be getting smoked salmon soon along with some fresh fish if I find it to be trustworthy. (I live 4 hours from the nearest ocean...)

My main goal here is to have a sushi "party" with a friend, and I want to make it as authentic as possible. (kimonos, or other Japanese dress, fancy decorations, and everything.) Of course, I know that isn't how Japanese people eat all the time, but I want it to be like a fancy, traditional meal.

What side dishes/drinks/desserts should I prepare? Is sushi seen as a main dish, or as a side? I'm thinking of making miso soup or tempura or both, and I'm considering green tea ice cream for dessert, but I want to know what would actually be eaten in Japan for a fancy, traditional meal on maybe a special occasion. (or worn, or any other tidbits you may have for me. Should we eat on the floor around the coffee table?)

[itsmeERICA]

I used to work at a Japanese restaurant at the sushi bar. You can have the sushi rolls as the main dish and the nigiris, tempuras, soups as a side item, its all about preference. I think a sushi party would be awesome. You could make the classic California roll, volano roll, tamago nigiri,sweet tofu nigiri...oh gosh, I'm getting hungry, lol..

Be sure to have some wasabi and pickled ginger. I think you should eat around a coffee table, but sitting on the floor, lol. I have some recipes if you want some.

[DaniJ]

Absolutely! Of course, I should say that I have some dietary needs based on my religion, so I can't eat certain fish, but I would like some good recipes for sushi! And Miso soup or tempura or whatever else you have a recipe for. :)

[dipta]

I suppose maki sushi is always popular for families or many people. You just have the ingredients at hand and everyone adds and eats whatever they want. It doesn't need a side dish because it's already rice with fruit and vegetables or whatever more you can think of. Some people eat cold soba noodles or udon at the end, if they still can and, of course, some dessert. Your ice cream idea sounds fabulous!

As for drinking, anything goes, really. Tea is always a classic, but wine is also good.

[Daggersanctuary]

try miso soup or onigiri. Green tea is always good too. You can use short grain rice for your rice dishes. Get a bowl of water and sprinkle your hands with salt to stick them together. As for sushi rice, you do the same thing except you use vinegar too.

Then rice porridge is always nice. You make your rice and (if you want breakfast rice porridge) you can add milk (or almond milk), vanilla, cinnamon, honey or maple syurp, and a tiny bit of sugar. It's really good, and healthy for you too :)

[LonelyandInTheDark]

seaweed salad (yum!), salad with sesame seed dressing(*-*), pieces of vegetable, shrimp tempura, fried ice cream, mochi ice cream, some ramune drinks. LOVE LOVE LOVE japanese food!

sushi should be the main dish, moreso if it's they're specialty rolls...

[beerY33]

miso soup is a personal favourite. also other soups, seaweed salad, tempura... etc.

p.s. google is your friend.

[eithyy]

A cold noodle dish would probably be good, along with some kind of salad and a soup (miso would likely be the easiest).

[LonelyandInTheDark]

soba noodles! yummy yummy yum yum.

[snowangle]

I agree with miso soup! Also maybe serve oolong tea with dinner?

[Anonymous]

White rice

[Anonymous]

Miso soup