Japanese Sushi Menu Words and How to Pronounce Them

You don't need Japanese to order sushi in Hong Kong, but a few words help. Japanese pronunciation is simple: each vowel has one sound — a as in "ah", i as in "ee", u as in "oo", e as in "eh", o as in "oh".

Ten words to know. Omakase (oh-mah-kah-seh) — chef's choice. Nigiri (nee-gee-ree). Shari (shah-ree) — rice. Neta (neh-tah) — topping. Sabi nuki (sah-bee noo-kee) — no wasabi. Agari (ah-gah-ree) — tea. Otoro (oh-toh-roh). Uni (oo-nee). Ikura (ee-koo-rah). Oishii (oy-shee) — delicious.

Fish and seafood

Word	Say it	Meaning
Maguro	mah-goo-roh	Tuna
Akami / Chutoro / Otoro	ah-kah-mee / choo-toh-roh / oh-toh-roh	Lean / medium-fatty / fatty tuna
Sake / Salmon	sah-keh / sah-mohn	Salmon
Hamachi	hah-mah-chee	Yellowtail
Hirame	hee-rah-meh	Flounder
Hotate	hoh-tah-teh	Scallop
Ebi / Amaebi	eh-bee / ah-mah-eh-bee	Prawn / sweet shrimp
Unagi / Anago	oo-nah-gee / ah-nah-goh	Freshwater / saltwater eel
Uni	oo-nee	Sea urchin
Ikura / Tobiko	ee-koo-rah / toh-bee-koh	Salmon roe / flying fish roe
Tamago	tah-mah-goh	Sweet omelette

At the counter

Omakase de (oh-mah-kah-seh deh) — chef's choice, please. Shari sukuname (shah-ree soo-koo-nah-meh) — less rice. Okaikei (oh-kah-ee-keh) — the bill. Gochisōsama deshita (goh-chee-soh-sah-mah desh-tah) — thank you for the meal.

"Sake" is two words. As fish (鮭) it means salmon; as a drink (酒) it means alcohol. Context makes it clear.

More fish: see our sushi fish guide and tuna cuts.

Menus in Hong Kong often use Chinese names too — 三文魚 (salmon), 吞拿魚 (tuna), 海膽 (uni). Point at the menu if unsure.

Common questions

How do you pronounce omakase?

Oh-mah-kah-seh.

What does oishii mean?

Delicious.

Where else can I look?

See how to order like a local.

Compiled by our editorial team from established Japanese culinary references, food safety guidance and Hong Kong restaurant and retailer information, retrieved September 2026. General information only. No brand or retailer paid for inclusion.