International Sushi Day – June 18

On June 18, sushi lovers across the United States roll out the red carpet for International Sushi Day, a global food holiday celebrating Japan’s most famous culinary export. From trendy urban sushi bars to neighborhood supermarkets stocking California rolls, the American enthusiasm for sushi is undeniable.

It’s a day to savor everything from delicate nigiri to creative fusion rolls – and perhaps convert a few sushi skeptics along the way. Just as other foodie celebrations like National Matcha Day and National Shrimp Day invite fans to indulge their cravings, International Sushi Day is all about honoring this iconic dish and its journey from ancient tradition to modern trend.

How to Celebrate Sushi Day

There are countless delicious ways to celebrate International Sushi Day. Many aficionados mark the occasion by visiting their favorite local sushi bar or trying a new Japanese restaurant. Some establishments even offer special discounts or creative sushi platters on June 18 to tempt celebrants. If dining out isn’t on the menu, consider hosting a DIY sushi party at home. Invite friends to roll their own maki – you might be surprised at how much fun it is (and how much skill it takes) to craft a perfect roll. Start simple with beginner-friendly options like California rolls or cucumber rolls, and provide plenty of fresh ingredients: seasoned sushi rice, sheets of nori (seaweed), sliced fish or avocado, and condiments like soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Another idea is to introduce someone new to the joys of sushi on this day. Take a sushi skeptic out for a tasting – perhaps begin with mild choices like a cooked shrimp tempura roll or a classic tuna roll rather than jumping straight into more adventurous bites. International Sushi Day is also a great excuse to learn more about sushi etiquette and culture: for example, the proper way to dip sushi (fish side down into soy sauce), or the fact that it’s acceptable to eat nigiri with your hands. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your sushi spread and share it on social media with the hashtag #InternationalSushiDay – joining thousands of others worldwide in a virtual “foodie” celebration.

History of International Sushi Day

International Sushi Day was founded in 2009 by Chris DeMay, the administrator of an online sushi fan page, with a simple mission: to encourage more people to enjoy sushi. While the “holiday” itself is recent, sushi’s history stretches back centuries. The concept originated not in Japan, but in Southeast Asia as a method of preserving fish in fermented rice (known as narezushi). Over time, this practice spread to Japan and evolved – by the Edo Period (1600–1800), Japanese chefs had developed the precursor of today’s sushi: vinegared rice paired with fresh fish and vegetables, served in bite-sized pieces. Modern sushi as we know it – including varieties like maki rolls and nigiri – took root in Japan and eventually caught on worldwide.

Sushi first made a splash in the United States in the mid-20th century. In fact, dedicated sushi bars were virtually unknown in America until 1966, when Kawafuku Restaurant opened in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo as the country’s first “real” sushi restaurant. From that humble start, sushi gained traction through the 1970s and 80s (aided by innovations like the California roll, which catered to American palates). Today, sushi is everywhere – from upscale omakase counters to grocery store delis – a testament to how this once-exotic delicacy became a beloved part of American cuisine. International Sushi Day celebrates this remarkable cultural journey, blending ancient tradition with contemporary global fandom.

Recipes and Product Recommendations

For home chefs feeling inspired, making sushi on your own can be a rewarding challenge. Begin with the basics: a quality bamboo rolling mat, short-grain sushi rice, and a sharp knife for slicing. Numerous cookbooks and online videos offer step-by-step sushi recipes. You might try crafting simple hosomaki (thin rolls) or temaki (hand rolls) filled with easy ingredients like avocado, cooked shrimp, or smoked salmon. If you’re more experienced, venture into nigiri – hand-pressed mounds of rice topped with slices of fresh fish. Be sure to source sushi-grade fish from a trustworthy market for safety and quality. Those not ready to handle raw fish at home can experiment with vegetarian sushi recipes (think avocado, cucumber, or pickled daikon rolls) or even trendy sushi bowls and burritos that capture the same flavors in a deconstructed form.

When it comes to products, consider investing in a few Japanese pantry staples to elevate your sushi-making. High-quality soy sauce and real wasabi (often sold as powder to be reconstituted) can make a noticeable difference in flavor. Pickled ginger is a must for cleansing the palate between bites. You can even find kits that provide pre-measured ingredients and tools for beginners. And if rolling sushi feels intimidating, don’t worry – you can celebrate by making chirashi, a “scattered” sushi bowl that layers sushi rice with fish, vegetables, and toppings in a bowl with no rolling required. Whether homemade or store-bought, the key is to enjoy the fresh, harmonious flavors that make sushi such a revered dish.

Future International Sushi Day Dates

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2025	June 18, 2025	Wednesday
2026	June 18, 2026	Thursday
2027	June 18, 2027	Friday
2028	June 18, 2028	Sunday
2029	June 18, 2029	Monday

Fun Facts about Sushi

A global favorite: Though rooted in Japanese tradition, sushi has truly global appeal. It’s popular not only in the U.S. and Japan but in countries ranging from Brazil to Norway (where salmon sushi became a hit thanks to a partnership in the 1980s introducing Norwegian salmon to Japan). Sushi restaurants have popped up on every continent – even in landlocked states or countries without native sushi culture.

Sushi vs. sashimi: Many Americans use “sushi” as a blanket term, but technically sushi refers to the vinegared rice – it doesn’t always involve raw fish. Pieces of raw fish on their own are called sashimi. The word “sushi” actually translates roughly to “sour rice,” a nod to its fermented rice origins. This means a vegetarian roll (say, cucumber or pickled plum) is still sushi, whereas a slice of plain raw tuna is not.

Record rolls: Sushi inspires some record-breaking feats. Chefs in Yamanashi, Japan once created a massive sushi roll over 2,500 meters long to set a world record. Meanwhile, the Guinness record for most sushi eaten in one minute is held by a competitive eater who downed 20 pieces in 60 seconds – wasabi and all!

American innovations: The U.S. has contributed its own twists to sushi. The California roll – typically made with avocado, crab (or imitation crab), and cucumber – was invented by Japanese chefs in Los Angeles in the 1960s and helped introduce sushi to American diners who were wary of seaweed and raw fish. Other American-born creations include the Philadelphia roll (with cream cheese and smoked salmon) and creative fusion rolls loaded with ingredients like barbecue sauce or jalapeños. Purists may scoff, but these inventions show how sushi continually adapts.